Conservatism Review

What is Pragmatism?

• This rejects practical experience and argues that innovation is the way forward

• This argues that you must take a fundamentalist approach to theory

• This rejects theory and ideology in favour of practical experience

• This argues that you should keep trying different options until something works

What is tradition? (2 answers)

• A sense that things were better in the old days

• Hip Hop prior to 1996

• A religious doctrine arguing that we should return to older values

• An attachment to the institutions, customs and practices of a society

Because of human imperfection, conservatives stress that (2 answers):

• There needs to be a tough stance on law and order to deter criminal behaviour

• We are naturally competitive, self-interest is a more powerful motivator than altruism

• The state is bad, its existence corrupts us and makes us do evil things

• Cooperation is needed, a sense of equality that binds us together as one

What is Atomism? (2 answers)

• The idea that society is made up of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals

• The commit to building a nuclear weapon within five years

• The idea that society consists of an explosion of common interests that need to be tied together

• Increasing social breakdown and isolation

What is paternalism?

• A hierarchical organic society designed to ensure social cohesion

• Men should be dominant in society and act as father figures

• A great leader should be appointed, who should give us guidance and direction

• The collective is always more important than the individual

What does "Noblesse Oblige" mean?

• Nobles have no obligations

• Obligations are essential to a effective society

• Nobles have to behave with honour for greater glory

• Nobility and privilege brings social responsibilities with it

What is laissez-faire capitalism?

• Capitalism should be free from restriction or controls set by the government

• Lazy people will dominate the economic system, taking long toilet breaks and sitting in the park

• Capitalism needs to be controlled and regulated by a higher authority

• Life needs to be fair. Capitalism should promote equality and mutual understanding

What did Thomas Hobbes argue?

• That people need an ordered society so that they can lead a free life

• That an ordered society should be structured around the collective need

• The state is bad, we need a small state so that people are free to live their independent lives

• Society needs a dictator who can dominate us. This will keep order and give us structure

Burke argued in favour of Empiricism, what is empiricism?

• Theory gives us a structure from which to build a society from

• To seek an Empire is natural, it is the job of developed nations to civilise the world

• Knowledge comes from real experience, not from abstract theories

• Society should beware of short term trends and victories. Long term history is far more important

Conservatives have a________________ view of human nature.