Conservatism, ideas and themes.

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Ted Honderich, in his book ‘Conservatism’ referred to Conservatism as “a defence of the familiar”.  If we were to take this notion further we could formulate the opinion, as many indeed have done, that Conservatism is not an ideology.  Russell Kirk would support this viewpoint.  In the introduction of his book, ‘Portable Conservative Reader’, he referred to Conservatism as “the negation of ideology”.

Heywood, in his book, ‘Politics (2nd Ed.)’, states that Conservatism is “unwilling to be tied down to a fixed system of ideas”.  If we take this interpretation of Conservatism and we accept the definition of ideology as “a fixed set of ideas” then we could agree with the views of Russell Kirk.

        In Conservatism there is also the hint of Social Darwinism – the survival of the fittest.  Conservatives view life as a struggle, for dominance and power, amongst individuals, groups, nations and races.  Conservatives are fiercely competitive.

        Conservatism has several key, themes.  A Conservative would hold these themes in a very high regard.  These themes are intrinsic to Conservatism.

        Firstly, they have tradition.  Conservatives have a desire to conserve this tradition.  There is a respect, even a desire for the maintenance of established customs, traditions and institutions.  Conservatives believe that tradition supports and promotes stability and security, giving individuals a sense of social and historical belonging.

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        Secondly, they have pragmatism.  Conservatives see the limitations of  human beings, they see the limitations of human rationality.  They see experience as one of the biggest benefits in human life. Conservatives put faith in experience, to continue as we have done or do in a certain situation do what has been done before and worked, and as they would see it, to use the colloquialism, ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’.  Conservatives themselves would describe their beliefs as ‘an attitude of mind’ or an ‘approach to life’ rather than an ideology.  This would be in agreement with what Heywood ...

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