The Conservative Dictionary
What is a neoconservative? Who are girlie men? What is the doctrine of pre-emption? Who belongs to the Tory Party's core vote? Is foxhunting a wedge issue? What does it mean to be pro-life? Is there such a place as Old Europe?
The conservativehome.com dictionary will answer your questions...
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Definitions for other words and concepts are gratefully received at [email protected].
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The ‘And theory of conservatism’ believes that it is necessary for conservatives to fuse their 'core vote' beliefs with imaginative and compassionate responses to today’s greatest challenges.
Big business conservatives overlook the diversity, ingenuity and democratic importance of small, upstart businesses, media outlets and charities in favour of cosy links with establishment businesses, broadcasters and voluntary organisations.
Big ideas can be used to glue smaller policy ideas together.
The tactic by which politicians hide dubious policies behind personal life stories.
If individual policies do not contribute to a better, clearer Tory Party identity - they fail 'The Bridget Jones Test'
A conservatism that addresses morally-important issues as diverse as human trafficking and the care of children with fathers in prison.
Cavemen Conservatives can talk about Europe, crime and tax but have nothing to say about poverty, the environment and the public services.
The groups of conservative-minded people who come together to provide the funding and get-out-the-vote operations for conservative political victories.
Authentic conservatism is weak in Europe because of the lack of an integrated conservative think tank and media infrastructure.
Iain Duncan Smith asserts that a majority of Britons hold conservative views on economic welfare, national security, social conservatism and ‘one nation’.
This theory argues that low turnout elections can be won by energising core supporters on issues of disproportionate importance to them.
Dispositional conservatism – is procedural and instinctively cautious. Substantial conservatism – emphasises fundamental beliefs.
Pregnant political phrases that help to lead people to think in ways desired by the public figure that uses them.
The derogatory term for people who use ‘Trojan horse’ tactics to try to take over a political movement from within its ranks.
Conservatives will resist libertarians as fiercely as they will resist socialists if they pursue their abstract ideas to logical – but practically destabilising – conclusions.
A conservative view of government that seeks to strengthen – rather than control or neglect – the free institutions of commerce and civil society.
‘Girlie men’ are politicians who lack the courage of their convictions.
George W Bush's successful targeting of 'core' supporters in America's 2004 election was the most powerful illustration of the importance of 'getting out the vote' in the modern era.
New media. Increasing euro-scepticism. The growth of Christian evangelicalism. The spread of democracy. Mounting evidence for marriage and against drugs. There are plenty of commanding trends that should encourage conservatives.
Intrinsic value is the worth of an object that cannot be gauged – easily or at all – by rational or other evaluative techniques.
The propensity of political and commercial forces to trample upon the territory of families and civil society.
The politically unacceptable face of the libertarian right.
Michael Moore Conservatives are weak in the war on terror, opposed George W Bush’s re-election and are antagonistic towards Israel.
A conservatism that is hopeful about what tomorrow might bring.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is demonstrating that politicians can provide beefy and radical leadership from the political centre.
Negative adverts may be disliked by the public but positive campaigns are less likely to impact voting behaviour.
Neoconservatives share the traditional beliefs of conservatives but actually want to put them into practise.
An MP for a safe seat who having begun to rest on past laurels is preventing new talent from re-energising the parliamentary party.
The permanent things are the things that matter more than the things that change.
The credentials that a political party needs to establish before voters will permit it to pursue otherwise contentious goals.
America may have become a 50/50 nation when it comes to presidential politics but most people still sit on the centre ground.
The failure of left-liberal methods to build social justice and social peace puts conservative ideas in the vanguard of overturning failed status quo situations.
The real world – particularly seen through the lens of parenthood - makes it harder for people to retain libertarian beliefs.
How the ousting of Margaret Thatcher poisoned and brutalised the Conservative Party.
The idea of right-versus-left is being replaced by new political clashes between centralisers and localists; hawks and doves; idealists and managers; and traditional values versus social liberalism.
A signature (or fingerprint) issue bears a person’s unique stamp and can define their place in the history books.
Sustainable reductions in the size of government depend upon stronger social values and institutions.
Social conservatives believe that strong families and traditional values underpin 'one nation'.
Social liberals - because of their indifference to civil society's health and their permissive attitude to destructive behaviours - are unwitting allies of big government.
Thatcherism restored Britain’s economy and its place in the world by honouring the vigorous virtues - like courage and enterprise – which drive all progress.
Tick box politics is a form of gesture politics that betrays the lack of importance attached to an issue by a politician.
The pursuit of (1) ‘core vote issues’ like Europe, tax and crime, (2) social libertarianism, and (3) one nation policies have all been proposed as paths back to electoral success for Britain’s Tories.
Traditions represent the wisdom of previous generations and should test the desirability of all political and social innovations.
The profane idea that paradise can be built on earth.
Position issues, like abortion and the level of tax, tend to divide voters. With valence issues, like prosperity and healthcare, all voters want to know which politicians can best deliver.
Values voters are motivated by issues like fox-hunting and the arms trade - rather than conventional economic concerns.
A wedge issue can be used to slice off a chunk of voters from the political party they traditionally support.
A worldview is a comprehensive way of seeing and understanding the world.
Do changes of opinion show that an individual is pragmatic or devoid of convictions?
Seed policies change an existing law or institution only at the margins but they open up the possibility of more radical change in the future.