Practical theory over ideology e.g. Sunak's furlough scheme, the 2014 Marriage Equality Act and COVID restrictions
Change to conserve
Traditional -> applies pragmatism in all aspects of society
One Nation -> apply this to social reform but have a MIDDLE WAY approach to the economy and accepts intervention
New Right -> tensions as neo-liberals accept this strategy but neo-Conservatives tolerate greater involvement of the state to preserve order
Social
Advantages -> keeping things the same is a comfort, human nature is unchanging, individual and social views will adapt to reflect new ideas
Disadvantages -> people have been oppressed by incremental change
General
Advantages -> allows Conservatives to adapt and stay in power, 'natural party of government'. Avoids risk + ensures stability
Disadvantages -> denies the importance and effectiveness of new ieas, improvements are necessary
Economical
Advantages -> safe and secure for investments, economics is a science
Disadvantages -> new ideas necessary like Keynesianism, capitalism operates rapidly
Macmillan in 1950s did not reverse Atlee’s welfare state as he understood post WWII Britain needed to be rebuilt and liked the reforms Atlee made
2020-21 Covid Furlough scheme the biggest intervention into the economy by the state ever. It was a pragmatic scheme to combat economic downfall and maintain order yet went against the Conservative ideology of a minimal state
Conservatives accepted restrictions under Covid despite it going against personal freedoms in Libertarianism
Cameron in 2015 promoted same-sex marriage to protect the institution of marriage
Oakeshott - “to be a conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried”