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 wrote in ‘Politics (2nd Ed.)’, that Conservatism is “unwilling to be tied down to a fixed system of ideas”. Conservatives are suspicious of abstract ideas, and they formulate their own thinking upon experience and reality.
Thirdly, Conservatives believe in human imperfection. This is an Hobbesian concept and is strongly linked with pragmatism. Conservatives view human nature as deeply pessimistic. Thus human beings are limited, dependent and security-seeking creatures, they fear isolation and instability. Due to this, they are drawn to the familiar, the tried and tested. They also emphasise the need for stability both in the human life and in society as a whole. Conservatives counteract ineptness and human imperfection with a strong belief in order, authority and discipline.
Fourthly, Conservatives have a belief in organic society. They affectionately refer to the ‘fabric of society’. They have a strong belief in this ‘fabric of society’ and place huge emphasis upon vital institutions such as the family and community. Society arises out of natural necessity.
Fifthly, hierarchy has a huge part to play in Conservative thought. There is a strong belief in competition, otherwise known as Social Darwinism. Conservatives believe that in any society, graduations of social position and status are inevitable.
Sixthly, Conservatives have a strong belief in authority. Conservatives believe that authority is always exercised from above, giving leadership, guidance and support for those who lack the knowledge, experience or education to make wise decisions themselves. Conservatives believe in freedom, although they vehemently disagree with the liberalist view on freedom. Conservatives believe that freedom co-exists with responsibility. The Conservative sees the role of law as the preservation of order, not the upholding of liberty. Conservatives believe that the preservation of order will lead to freedom and security for all.
In the political sense, a Conservative is someone who wishes to conserve. The Conservative wishes to maintain the status quo and this can only be done by conserving several key aspects of life, both political and apolitical.
‘The Establishment’ is something that Conservatives wish to maintain. They seek an endurance of the customs, traditions and institutions which have been in existence for so long and have stood them in good stead and benefited society so greatly. Conservatives are very patriotic and paternal. The maintenance of ‘The Establishment’ is the conservation of their sense of social and historical belonging.
The organic society is very much to the forefront on conservative thought. Conservatives wish to continue the belief in the ‘fabric of society’. They want an ethical and moral code to be adhered to, in order to keep society from getting ‘off track’, as they would see it. Conservatives are staunch defenders of the family and believe it to be most important institution of all. Conservatives also have a strong sense of togetherness, of community.
Linked with this view on organic society, is the Conservatives’ wish to maintain hierarchy and authority.
Conservatives wish to keep authority exercised from above, giving leadership to those who lack the knowledge, experience, education and ability to make these decisions themselves. Conservatives have a desire to conserve and concrete their position.
Hierarchy is another strong Conservative belief. Conservatives are fiercely competitive. In order to get any social standing they have had to fight of competition from other capable and able people. Due to this Conservatives believe strongly in Social Darwinism – the survival of the fittest. Conservatives believe that in any society, graduations of social status and social position are inevitable. Again, one should note that Conservatives strongly desire to conserve and concrete their social and political position.
Many believe that Conservatives are opposed to change. This view is somewhat incorrect. In Conservative today, there is a prudent willingness to conserve. Edmund Burke, the 18th Century statesman stated that Conservatives had “to change in order to conserve”. Burke is saying that as time passes by, things do change, circumstances change, the world around us changes and a response is needed to these changes, one cannot been seen to stand still, as it were. Burke argues that small change will do no harm. Although seldom welcomed, change is inevitable. Conservatives are totally committed to progress, to the betterment of society. In order to progress changes need to be made, certain modifications need to be made. Certain practices may need updating, brought into the 21st Century. Some practices may need to be enhanced, for the benefit of society. Others may need adapted to suit the circumstances of 21st Century life.
However, one thing cannot be questioned, Conservatives are wholeheartedly committed to progress.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Conservatism, Ted Honderich, Hamish Hamilton Ltd, Great Britain, 1990
Politics 2nd Edition, A. Heywood, Palgrave Macmillian, Great Britain, 2003