Pragmatism

• Rejects theory and ideology in favour of practical experience.
• Oakeshott

  'to be a Conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried'
• Humans lack the ability to fully comprehend the world. So cons reject grand theories which are too simplistic and claim to solve all the problems.
• Ideas such as human rights or a classless society are dangerous as they can lead to a radical reordering of society that can worsen conditions.
• Trad Cons and Pragmatism

  Believed pragmatism is essential to facilitating natural or inevitable change. 'a state without the means of some change is without the means to conserve'.

  A pragmatic approach will bring about good, gradual change.
• One Nation Cons and Pragmatism

  Similar to trad cons, however include economic and social policy.