Core Political Ideas Key Concepts

Conservatism - What is pragmatism?

• Accumulated wisdom of past societies and a connection between the generations

• Flexible approach to society with decisions made on the basis of what works

• Humans are flawed which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves

• Benign power exerted from above by the state, that governs in the interests of the people

Conservatism - What is Tradition?

• Flexible approach to society with decisions made on the basis of what works

• Society/state is more important than any individual parts

• Accumulated wisdom of past societies and a connection between the generations

• Upholds liberty, seeking to maximise autonomy and free choice

Conservatism - What is organic society/state?

• Upholds liberty, seeking to maximise autonomy and free choice

• Humans are flawed which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves

• Benign power exerted from above by the state

• Society/state is more important than any individual parts

Conservatism - What is paternalism?

• Benign power exerted from above by the state, that governs in the interests of the people

• Flexible approach to society with decisions made on the basis of what works

• Accumulated wisdom of past societies and a connection between the generations

• Humans are flawed which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves

Liberalism - What is individualism?

• The belief that individuals are of equal value and that they should be treated impartially and fairly by society

• The belief that humans are rational creatures, capable of reason and logic

• The ability and right to make decisions in your own interests based on your view of human nature

• The primacy of the individual in society over any group

Liberalism - What is freedom/liberty?

• The ability and right to make decisions in your own interests based on your view of human nature

• It is ‘necessary’ to avoid disorder, but ‘evil’ as it has potential to remove individual liberty

• The belief that humans are rational creatures, capable of reason and logic

• The belief that individuals are of equal value and that they should be treated impartially and fairly by society

Liberalism - What is rationalism?

• A democracy that balances the will of the people, as shown through elections

• The belief that humans are rational creatures, capable of reason and logic

• The ability and right to make decisions in your own interests based on your view of human nature

• The primacy of the individual in society over any group

Liberalism - What is equality/social justice?

• The belief that individuals are of equal value and that they should be treated impartially and fairly by society

• The belief that humans are rational creatures, capable of reason and logic

• The primacy of the individual in society over any group

• It is ‘necessary’ to avoid disorder, but ‘evil’ as it has potential to remove individual liberty

Socialism - What is collectivism?

• A group of people in society who have the same socioeconomic status

• The importance and the extent of control over the economy and/or state and how it is to be achieved.

• How collective human effort is both of greater practical value to the economy and moral value to society than the effort of individuals

• The nature of humans as social creatures with a tendency to co-operation, sociability and rationality

Socialism - What is common humanity?

• A group of people in society who have the same socioeconomic status

• The nature of humans as social creatures with a tendency to co-operation, sociability and rationality - human behaviour is socially determined

• Human effort is both of greater practical value to the economy and moral value to society than the effort of individuals

• The extent of control over the economy and/or state and how it is to be achieved.