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CHAPTER 3
CORE THEMES The character of conservative ideology has been the source of particular argument and debate. For example, it is often suggested that conservatives have a clearer understanding of what they oppose than of what they favour. In that sense, conservatism has been portrayed as a negative philosophy, its purpose being simply to preach resistance to, or at least suspicion of, change. However, if conservatism were to consist of no more than a knee-jerk defence of the status quo , it would be merely a political attitude rather than an ideology. In fact, many people or groups can be considered ‘conservative’, in the sense that they resist change, without in any way subscribing to a conservative political creed. For instance, socialists who campaign in defence of the welfare state or nationalized industries could be classified as conservative in terms of their actions, but certainly not in terms of their political principles. The desire to resist change may be the recurrent theme within conservatism, but what distinguishes conservatives from supporters of rival political creeds is the distinctive way they uphold this position. A second problem is that to describe conservatism as an ideology is to risk irritating conservatives themselves.They have often preferred to describe their beliefs as an ‘attitude of mind’ or ‘common sense’, as opposed to an ‘ism’ or ideology. Others have argued that what is distinctive about conservatism is its emphasis on history and experience, and its distaste for rational thought. Conservatives have thus typically eschewed the ‘politics of principle’ (a reliance on ideals and abstract theory) and adopted instead a traditionalist political stance (see p. 7, for a discussion of the conservative view of ideology). Their opponents have also lighted upon this feature of conservatism, sometimes portraying it as little more than an unprincipled apology for the interests of a ruling class or elite. However, both conservatives and their critics ignore the weight and range of theories that underpin conservative ‘common sense’. Conservatism is neither simple pragmatism (see p. 6) nor mere opportunism. It is founded on a particular set of political beliefs about human beings, the societies they live in, and the importance of a distinctive set of political values. As such, like liberalism and socialism, it should rightfully be described as an ideology. The most significant of its central beliefs are: z z tradition z z human imperfection z z society z z hierarchy and authority z z property.
Tradition It is often argued that the ‘desire to conserve’ is the defining theme of conservative
ideology, especially when it is linked to a defence of tradition . In its broadest sense, tradition encompasses anything that is passed down from the past to the present. Anything from long-standing customs and practices, to an institution, political or social system, or a value or set of beliefs, can therefore be regarded as a tradition. For some conservatives,
Tradition: Values, practices or institutions that have endured through time and, in particular, been passed down from one generation to the next.
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