Core Principles of Conservatism:

Pragmatism:

focuses on practical solutions considering all implications

Rejection of utopia and ideology

Practice precedes theory

Hierarchy

Natural order of society - people are ranked based on their status or authority - unequal society is natural

Authority

Without respect for it society would descend into chaos

Change to conserve

society should change to conserve the wider picture of peace - rejecting change outright would risk revolution

Atomism

the main component in society is the individual who have self-interests - they are equal and rational

Noblesse oblige/ Paternalism

fatherly obligations ruling class has to rest of society

Hard paternalism: ruling class deciding what is best for the ruling class - irrespective of what the rest wants

Soft paternalism: power still resides with elites - but degree of consultation is used to listen to what the non-elites want

Anti-permisiveness

rejection of permissive society - one where there is little moral or legal codes and social norms become more liberal

Human Imperfection

draws on Old Testament and original sin - these innate flaws in humans make any quest for perfection and utopia misguided and potentially distratrous

Organic society

society is not created but emerges and grows - Hobbes’ belief that the state precedes society

Empiricism:

preference for evidence over theory - tends to emphasise what is rather than what should be

Tradition

strong support for trad institutions e.g monarchy and nuclear family as gives people sense of security