Conservatism – Core Ideas, Values & Thinkers

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

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46 Terms

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Conservatism

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

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Tradition

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

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Human Imperfection

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

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Hierarchy

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

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Authority

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

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Organic Society

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

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Pragmatism

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

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Empiricism

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

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Scepticism

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

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Change to Conserve

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

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Original Sin

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

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Paternalism

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

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One-Nation Conservatism

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

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Noblesse Oblige

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

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Atomism

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

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Libertarianism

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

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Neo-Liberalism

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

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Neo-Conservatism

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

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New Right

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

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Property

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

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Property-Owning Democracy

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

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Thrift

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

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Natural Aristocracy

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

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Order

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

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Laissez-Faire

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

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Objectivism

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

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Self-Ownership

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

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Empirical Pragmatism

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

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‘Democracy of the Dead’

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

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‘Power after Power’

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

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Law and Order (Conservative view)

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

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Two Nations

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

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Tory Democracy

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

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Anti-Permissiveness

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

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Radical (New Right sense)

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

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Psychological Imperfection

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

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Moral Imperfection

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

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Intellectual Imperfection

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

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Empirical Society

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

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Burglary (Conservative view)

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

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Privatisation

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

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Authority ‘from Above’

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

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Empirical Conservatism

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

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Anti-Ideology

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

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Burke’s Gradualism

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

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Patriotism (Conservative)

Emotional attachment to nation providing collective identity and psychological security.