Key Concepts in Conservatism, Liberalism, and Socialism

Hierarchy

The Conservative belief that society is naturally organised in fixed tiers, where one's position is not based on individual ability.

Authority

For Conservatives, this is the idea that people in higher positions in society are best able to make decisions in the interests of the whole society; authority thus comes from above.

Change to conserve

The belief that society should adapt to changing circumstances rather than reject change outright and risk rebellion and/or revolution.

Atomism

The belief that society is made up of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals (also known as egoistical individualism).

Noblesse oblige

The duty of the wealthy and privileged to look after those less fortunate.

Anti-permissiveness

A rejection of permissiveness, suggesting there is no objective right and wrong.

Radical

Belief whose ideas favour drastic political, economic and social change.

Human imperfection

The traditional conservative belief that humans are flawed in a number of ways which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves.

Laissez-faire

A preference towards minimal government intervention in business and the state.

Empiricism

The idea that knowledge comes from real experience and not from abstract theories.

Foundational equality

Rights that all humans have by virtue of being born which cannot be taken away (also known as natural rights and inalienable rights).

Formal equality

The idea that all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society.

Equality of opportunity

The idea that all individuals should have equal chances in life to rise and fall.

Social contract

The idea that the state/society is set up with agreement from the people to respect its laws which serve to protect them.

Meritocracy

A society organised on the basis that success is based on ability and hard work.

Mechanistic theory

The idea that the state was created by 'man' to serve the people and act in their interests.

Tolerance

A willingness to respect values, customs and beliefs with which one disagrees.

Limited government

The role of government is limited by checks and balances, and a separation of powers because of the corrupting nature of power.

Egoistical individualism

The idea that individual freedom is associated with self-interest and self-reliance.

Developmental individualism

The idea that individual freedom is linked to human flourishing.

Negative freedom

The absence of external constraints in society as well as no interference in the private sphere.

Positive freedom

The idea that freedom is about personal fulfilment and realization of potential.

Laissez-faire capitalism

An economic system, organized by the market, where goods are produced for exchange and profit, and wealth is privately owned.

Keynesianism

An economic system that requires government involvement to stimulate the economy to achieve full employment and price stability.

Harm principle

The idea that individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals.

Minimal state

The idea that the role of the state must be restricted in order to preserve individual liberty.

Enabling state

A larger state that helps individuals to achieve their potential and be free.

Fraternity

The bonds of comradeship between human beings.

Co-operation

Working collectively to achieve mutual benefits.

Capitalism

An economic system, organized by the market, where goods are produced for profit and wealth is privately owned.

Common ownership

The common ownership of the means of production so that all are able to benefit from the wealth of society and to participate in its running.

Communism

The communal organization of social existence based on the common ownership of wealth.

Evolutionary socialism

A parliamentary route that would deliver a long-term, radical transformation in a gradual, piecemeal way through legal and peaceful means, via the state.

Marxism

An ideological system, within socialism, that drew on the writings of Marx and Engels and has at its core a philosophy of history that explains why it is inevitable that capitalism will be replaced by communism.

Revisionism

A move to redefine socialism that involves a less radical view of capitalism and a reformed view of socialism.

Social justice

A distribution of wealth that is morally justifiable and implies a desire to limit inequality.

Class consciousness

The self-understanding of social class that is a historical phenomenon, created out of collective struggle.

Historical materialism

Marxist theory that the economic base forms the superstructure, driving historical change.

Dialectic

A process of development that occurs through the conflict between two opposing forces, driving historical change in Marxism.

Keynesian economics

Government intervention to stabilize the economy and achieve full employment and price stability.