Elements of

Conservatism
 Tradition
• Defense of tradition
is an important
theme upheld by
conservatives.
• To them tradition-
time tested values,
practices, and
institutions-reflects
the accumulated
wisdom of the past.
• Conservatives believe
that tradition should be
preserved for future
generations instead of
being replaced by new
ones that could bring
about uncertainty.
 Pragmatism
• Conservatives frown on
abstract principles and
systems of thought
because of the
perceived limits of
human rationality.
• they place their faith
on experience, history
and belief that practical
circumstances and
practical goals should
control human action
 Human Imperfection

• are weighed down by

imperfections,
according to the
conservative
viewpoint.
•Individuals are
dependent and
seek security in
the familiar and
the known.
•They are
morally
corrupt.
• Because of these human
imperfections, what is
required is a strong state
which will maintain order,
enforce strict laws, and
impose harsh penalties on
lawbreakers
• Without an effective
state, humans will be
left to themselves,
thus destroying the
fragile fabric of
society.
 Organicism
• The doctrine that
everything in nature has
an organic basis or is
part of an or organic
whole.
 Hierarchy
•An organic society
is characterized by
a hierarchy of
positions:
• Individuals occupy
different positions in
society because they
perform different
roles and
responsibilities.
•Such inequality is
only natural and
inevitable in view of
the different
capacities the
individual possess.
• The inequality in position
and privilege does not
cause misunderstanding
and strife because society
is held together by shared
obligations and reciprocal
duties.
 Authority

•Produces social
cohesion.
• It gives individuals a clear
sense of who they are
and what is expected of
them. Although there is
exercised responsibility
which individual
recognize
 Property
• is important to
conservatives
because it provides
security to people.
• It also gives individuals
some amount of
independence from the
government, and
encourage them to be law-
obedient and respectful for
the property of others.