Politics · Year 12 · Core Political Ideas · 3.º Período

Conservatism

An introduction to the core principles of conservatism, including tradition, human imperfection, and organic society. Students will differentiate between traditional, one-nation, and New Right conservatism.

TL;DR:Conservatism is a political ideology rooted in the desire to preserve what is best in society. This topic introduces students to core concepts like human imperfection, organic society, tradition, and pragmatism. Students explore the tensions between different strands of conservatism, such as the paternalistic 'One Nation' tradition and the more individualistic, free-market 'New Right' (Thatcherism).

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• A-Level Politics: Core Political Ideas 1.1 - Core ideas and principles of conservatism
• A-Level Politics: Core Political Ideas 1.2 - Differing views and tensions within conservatism

About This Topic

Conservatism is a political ideology rooted in the desire to preserve what is best in society. This topic introduces students to core concepts like human imperfection, organic society, tradition, and pragmatism. Students explore the tensions between different strands of conservatism, such as the paternalistic 'One Nation' tradition and the more individualistic, free-market 'New Right' (Thatcherism).

Students also study key thinkers like Edmund Burke, Thomas Hobbes, and Michael Oakeshott to understand the philosophical foundations of the ideology. This topic is essential for understanding the dominant political force in modern British history. It is best taught through collaborative investigations where students can compare how different conservative thinkers would respond to modern social and economic challenges.

Key Questions

1. Why do conservatives value tradition and pragmatism?
2. What are the key differences between one-nation and New Right conservatism?
3. How do conservative thinkers view human nature?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Conservatives are against all change.

What to Teach Instead

Conservatives believe in 'changing to conserve.' They support gradual, organic change rather than radical revolution. Use a 'case study' of a successful conservative reform to show how they manage change while preserving stability.

Common Misconception

The New Right and One Nation Conservatism are the same.

What to Teach Instead

They have very different views on the state and the economy. A Venn diagram activity can help students identify where they overlap (e.g., on law and order) and where they differ (e.g., on welfare and state intervention).

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

Thinker Profiles

Assign each group a key conservative thinker (e.g., Burke, Rand, Nozick). They must create a 'social media profile' for that thinker, outlining their views on human nature, the state, and society.

50 min·Small Groups

Formal Debate

Tradition vs Change

Students debate a modern issue (e.g., reforming the monarchy) from a conservative perspective. One side argues for the importance of tradition and organic change, while the other argues for pragmatic reform.

45 min·Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share

Human Imperfection

Students discuss the conservative view that humans are morally, intellectually, and psychologically flawed. They pair up to find examples of how this belief influences conservative policies on law and order or the economy.

25 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'organic society' mean in conservatism?

It is the belief that society is like a living organism, where all parts are interconnected and depend on each other. This leads to an emphasis on social cohesion, hierarchy, and the importance of institutions like the family and the church.

Who was Edmund Burke?

Burke is often considered the father of modern conservatism. He famously argued against the radicalism of the French Revolution, advocating instead for tradition, pragmatism, and the idea that society is a contract between the living, the dead, and the unborn.

How can active learning help students understand political ideologies?

Ideologies can feel like a list of abstract 'isms.' Active learning, such as role-playing a debate between different thinkers or applying an ideology to a modern problem, forces students to see the internal logic of a belief system. This helps them move beyond memorising definitions to understanding how an ideology shapes a person's entire worldview.

What is the New Right?

The New Right is a strand of conservatism that emerged in the 1970s. It combines neo-liberal economics (free markets, low taxes) with neo-conservative social policy (traditional values, strong law and order).