2902215
Description
Mind Map by babyjojo115, updated more than 1 year ago
|
Created by babyjojo115
over 11 years ago
|
|
‘Conservatism as an ideology
has endured because of
pragmatism.’ Discuss
- Pragmatism – essentially, a flexible approach to politics: an understanding of what is best for people,
what is acceptable to them and what will preserve a stable society. It is also a rejection of the politics
of strongly held ideology and of a dogmatic approach to decision-making.
- Conservatism – a belief system which is reactionary and anti-change. It
seeks to conserve, ie maintain, the status quo. This value-system has
survived when challenged by more radical/progressive ideologies because it
has been prepared to adapt to new situations/challenges. In other words, it
has been pragmatic; it did and (arguably) still does seek practical and
flexible responses to concrete, changing circumstances, eschewing what it
perceives to be politically abstract/utopian. It is not an ideology in the sense
of a comprehensive package of principles and doctrines which provide
blueprints for structures and actions.
- Analysis and evaluation could well go as so far back as
Disraeli, who created One Nation Conservatism in an attempt
to make the party electable. Coverage of the Conservative
Party’s thinking and policies during ‘The Age of Consensus’,
when its social and economic policies were described as
‘Butskellite’ and its pragmatism was evident in its changed
political stance regarding decolonisation. Heath’s U-turns
following difficulties with his right wing Selsdon Programme
in the early 1970s, as a further example of pragmatism.
- Analysis/discussion of the Thatcher years and Thatcherism will
figure large in most answers. Students are likely to assert that
Thatcher’s response to economic decline, and what the Right saw
as social decline, also reveals a capacity to change political
direction – hence pragmatic behaviour to redress clear
problems/failings. One should expect to read about the New Right
agenda with regards to supply-side economics, limited
government, individual responsibility and vigorous foreign policy.
- Thatcher’s policies and actions can be seen as driven more by
ideology (albeit neo-liberalism) than pragmatism. Hard-headed
realism (sic pragmatism) was also evident during the Thatcher
years. Some of the ‘extreme’ neo-liberal ideas advocated by
politicians such as Keith Joseph, and Right-Wing Think Tanks such
as the Centre for Policy Studies were not taken on board because
Thatcher was of the opinion that they would not work out well in
practice.
- Thatcher’s policies and actions can be seen as driven more by
ideology (albeit neo-liberalism) than pragmatism. Hard-headed
realism (sic pragmatism) was also evident during the Thatcher
years. Some of the ‘extreme’ neo-liberal ideas advocated by
politicians such as Keith Joseph, and Right-Wing Think Tanks such
as the Centre for Policy Studies were not taken on board because
Thatcher was of the opinion that they would not work out well in
practice.
- John Major’s signing up to the Maastricht Treaty was done in such a way that he (initially) managed
to get both Europhiles and Eurosceptics to accept it. William Hague democratised the party’s
organisational structure so as to make it less ‘top down’ and elitist. Iain Duncan-Smith attempted to
create a more open and caring party. Michael Howard, a natural Thatcherite, appreciating that a
Right-Wing party did not fit the zeitgeist, promised to ‘lead the party from the centre’.
- The Cameron years certainly appear to have been characterised
by pragmatism rather than ideological conviction. As opposition
leader, he realised that the party was seen by many voters as
‘nasty’ and ‘exclusive’. He also recognised that aspects of the New
Labour programme were popular with the public and that,
electorally, there was little to gain in criticising these. Evidence of
such pragmatism can be seen in his support for the state as a tool
for promoting equality of opportunity and enhancing social
inclusion. Further evidence of this pragmatism can also be seen in
the party’s acceptance of constitutional reform, eg devolution and
the Good Friday Agreement. Cameron described as a ‘moderniser’
and a ‘populist’.
- More recently, Cameron’s pragmatism can also be seen
in his decision to invite the Liberals into a coalition
given that no outright winner emerged in the 2010
General Election. Cameron clearly felt that a minority
government would not be suited to resolve the
problems of the day. This decision has required the
Conservatives, even though they are the dominant
partner in the relationship, to compromise on policies
to ensure effective co-operation with the Liberal
Democrats. Since the coalition has been created, the
Conservatives have been willing to allow a referendum
to take place on electoral reform – evidence of
pragmatism, given the party’s support for First Past the
Post in general elections.
- More recently, Cameron’s pragmatism can also be seen
in his decision to invite the Liberals into a coalition
given that no outright winner emerged in the 2010
General Election. Cameron clearly felt that a minority
government would not be suited to resolve the
problems of the day. This decision has required the
Conservatives, even though they are the dominant
partner in the relationship, to compromise on policies
to ensure effective co-operation with the Liberal
Democrats. Since the coalition has been created, the
Conservatives have been willing to allow a referendum
to take place on electoral reform – evidence of
pragmatism, given the party’s support for First Past the
Post in general elections.
Want to create your own Mind Maps for free with GoConqr? Learn more.