Conservatism – Core Ideas, Values & Thinkers

Vocabulary flashcards covering the principal concepts, values, thinkers and terminology of conservatism drawn from the lecture notes.

Conservatism

A political ideology defined by a desire to conserve through support for tradition, scepticism toward rapid change, and belief in an organic society.

Tradition

Accumulated wisdom of past generations and established institutions or values, believed by conservatives to create social stability and identity.

Human Imperfection

Conservative belief that humans are psychologically, morally and intellectually flawed, making them prone to error and in need of authority and order.

Hierarchy

The natural, unequal ranking of individuals and groups in society, viewed by conservatives as necessary and inevitable.

Authority

Legitimate power that comes ‘from above’ and provides guidance, security and order within society.

Organic Society

The idea that society is a living entity whose members are interdependent; change should therefore be gradual and preservative.

Pragmatism

A flexible, practical approach that judges policies by ‘what works’ rather than by abstract principles.

Empiricism

Preference for experience-based evidence over theoretical schemas; conservatives use it to justify tradition and gradualism.

Scepticism

Conservative caution toward utopian ideas and sweeping political projects due to uncertainty about human reason.

Change to Conserve

Burkean principle that limited, cautious reform is necessary to preserve the core fabric of society.

Original Sin

Theological idea used by conservatives to explain humanity’s moral imperfection and need for strong law and order.

Paternalism

Benign power exercised from above in the interests of the people; ranges from traditional authoritarian forms to One-Nation social obligation.

One-Nation Conservatism

Disraeli-inspired strand advocating social reform and noblesse oblige to prevent society splitting into ‘two nations’.

Noblesse Oblige

Moral duty of the privileged to care for the less fortunate; central to One-Nation conservatism.

Atomism

View (rejected by traditional conservatives) that society consists only of self-interested individuals; embraced by neo-liberals.

Libertarianism

Doctrine emphasising individual liberty and minimal state, particularly in economic affairs; key to the New Right.

Neo-Liberalism

Economic wing of the New Right favouring free markets, deregulation, privatisation and individualism.

Neo-Conservatism

Social wing of the New Right stressing authority, strong law-and-order policies and traditional morality to combat social fragmentation.

New Right

Fusion of neo-liberal economics and neo-conservative social policy developed from the 1970s onward.

Property

Physical goods or wealth owned privately; conservatives link it to security, responsibility and social order.

Property-Owning Democracy

New Right ideal that widespread ownership strengthens resistance to state power and fosters conservative values.

Thrift

Conservative virtue of careful saving and investment, believed to promote security and self-reliance.

Natural Aristocracy

Burke’s idea that talented, responsible elites should rule for the common good within a hierarchical society.

Order

Primary conservative goal of creating a stable, predictable environment even at the expense of some liberty.

Laissez-Faire

Economic principle of minimal state interference in markets, championed by Ayn Rand and neo-liberals.

Objectivism

Ayn Rand’s philosophy advocating rational self-interest and pure capitalist freedom.

Self-Ownership

Nozick’s libertarian concept that individuals own their bodies, talents and labour, limiting state entitlement to them.

Empirical Pragmatism

Oakeshott’s view that politics should be a practical conversation guided by experience, not ideological argument.

‘Democracy of the Dead’

Chesterton’s phrase describing tradition as giving past generations a ‘vote’ in present decisions.

‘Power after Power’

Hobbes’s depiction of innate human drive for continual advantage, justifying strong sovereign authority.

Law and Order (Conservative view)

Criminality stems from individual sinfulness; thus exemplary punishment and firm policing are required to maintain order.

Two Nations

Disraeli’s warning of a gulf between rich and poor that could lead to social unrest.

Tory Democracy

Randolph Churchill’s attempt to broaden Conservative support by combining tradition with popular social reform.

Anti-Permissiveness

Neo-conservative rejection of liberal moral relativism in favour of traditional public morality.

Radical (New Right sense)

Willingness to dismantle collectivist institutions to advance free-market reforms, despite conservatism’s usual caution.

Psychological Imperfection

Human craving for security and familiarity, underpinning conservative support for tradition and patriotism.

Moral Imperfection

Belief that humans are tempted to wrongdoing; necessitates strict laws and moral codes.

Intellectual Imperfection

Limited human reason makes grand ideological designs dangerous; hence conservative distrust of abstract schemes.

Empirical Society

Oakeshott’s notion that society should ‘stay afloat’ by adapting pragmatically rather than steering toward utopias.

Burglary (Conservative view)

Seen as personal violation because property is an extension of identity, reinforcing the need for tough penalties.

Privatisation

Transfer of state assets to private hands; supported by neo-liberals but criticised by Macmillan as ‘selling the family silver’.

Authority ‘from Above’

Belief that leadership should guide the imperfect masses, justified by experience, status or talent.

Empirical Conservatism

Approach that evaluates institutions by their longevity and practical success, not by ideological purity.

Anti-Ideology

Conservative stance that fixed doctrines are dangerous because reality is too complex for abstract blueprints.

Burke’s Gradualism

View that reform should be organic and incremental to maintain continuity with historical development.

Patriotism (Conservative)

Emotional attachment to nation providing collective identity and psychological security.