To what extent do different conservatives favour pragmatism over principle?

P1: pragmatism - traditional conservatives

humans struggle to understand the world so should not rely on unfounded ideological beliefs over experience and tradition

cautious pragmatism allows change without chaos

P1: pragmatism - traditional conservatives - philosopher

Burke - it is necessary to ‘change in order to conserve‘

P2: principle - libertarianism (core belief)

positive view of human nature - support of atomism and individual freedom

humans can be trusted to be self-reliant and make choices based on ideals

P2: principle - libertarianism (core belief) - philosopher

Thatcher - pragmatism leads to ‘government interference’

P3: pragmatism - one nation

support for welfarism

adapting to support lower classes prevents revolution - conserves society

if something has always worked there is no need to change it

P3: pragmatism - one nation - philosopher

Macmillan - ‘middle way’ ensures social harmony and strong economy

P4: principle - new right

strand developed because it believed pragmatism had lead to government interference and failure

has to favour ideology

P4: principle - new right - philosopher

Thatcher - ‘roll back’ the state through privatisation, deregulation and reduced welfare