10.2 - Differing Views and Tensions within Conservatism Flashcards
What are the main beliefs of Traditional Conservatism?
Hierarchy, Tradition, Empiricism, Authority.
Who is the main proponent of Reactionary Traditional Conservatism?
Thomas Hobbes
Who is the main proponent of non-reactionary Traditional Conservatism?
Edmund Burke.
Who is the main proponent of non-reactionary Traditional Conservatism?
Edmund Burke.
Who was the main proponent of traditional Conservatism as a natural disposition?
Micheal Oakeshott.
What does reactionary traditional conservatism believe about the order of society?
There should be a feudal hierarchic order within society.
Why were the beliefs of reactionary traditional conservatism challenged?
In the 18th Century the ideas were challenged by the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. Societal change due to the industrial revolution also enabled this.
What did reactionary traditional conservatism do in terms of resistance?
- Resisted the decline of aristocratic power and rule.
- However, as the rule of the aristocracy fell naturally, this branch too fell.
Why did Edmund Burke feel we had to oppose ideas like those in the French Revolution?
He felt that rationalist delusions had led to the bloody French revolution.
Why were Conservative ideologies so important to maintain in Burke’s eyes?
Hierarchy, Tradition, Empiricism and Authority had to be defended against the Englightenment as they help to maintain societal equilibrium.
At what point could non-reactionary traditional Conservatism change?
After very careful consideration so as to not damage societal fabrics.
How can Burke’s ideas be seen throughout 19th Century Conservatism?
An adoption of moderate reform to keep society stable alongside commitment to the free market.
Which PM followed Burke’s ideas quite closely and what did he do?
Robert Peel.
- Founded the Metropolitan Police.
- Repealed the Corn Law.
What does Oakeshott’s view of traditional Conservatism focus on, primarily?
Focus on the psychological and intellectual aspects of human imperfection.
What does Oakeshott’s view turn Conservatism into?
A natural disposition, rather than a political ideology.
What followed Traditional Conservatism?
One-nation Conservatism.
Why did One-Nation become a more dominant strand in the Conservative party?
PM B. Disraeli saw that overly laissez-faire economics were widening inequalities and fanning flames for revolution amongst the working class.
What was the main feature of Traditional Conservatism that followed into One-Nation Conservatism?
The idea of noblesse oblige, although this concept was taken much further in One-Nationism.
Where was One-Nation Conservatism first espoused by Disraeli?
In his novel, ‘Sybil or the Two Nations’.
What was Disraeli’s ultimate aim and how did he want to achieve this?
Make society secure.
- Address the tensions between rich and poor.
- Renew feelings of nationalism.
- Renew the feeling of community.
Why was nationalism a bizarre ideology to espouse for a Conservative government at the time?
Nationalism had been strongly used in revolutionary states such as France during the French Revolution.
How did Disraeli paraphrase his update to noblesse oblige?
‘The palace is not safe when the cottage is angry’.
What were Disraeli’s reforms to noblesse oblige based on?
Empiricism.
He was fearful of the working class revolting so he tried to appease them but he followed Burke’s belief that society must ‘change to conserve’.
What was an early one-nation reform?
the Representation of the People Act 1867.
What did the Representation of the People Act 1867 do?
Enfranchised many parts of the urban male working class.
How did Disraeli describe the Representation of the People Act 1867?
‘A leap in the dark’.
Who is the modern proponent of one-nation Conservatism?
Harold Macmillan.
How did Macmillan espouse one-nation views?
Built 300,000 new houses a year after the Second World War under Churchill.
How did Macmillan attempt to steer the Conservative party?
Traditional laissez-faire economics alongside the socialist collectivism of state planning.
What did Macmillan view as the biggest threat to the preservation of society?
Unemployment.
Macmillan followed empiricism. T/F?
False. He adopted the rationalistic views of John Keynes to combat unemployment.
Why was the Macmillan administration so interesting from a one-nation perspective?
They made it clear they were willing to abandon most Conservative values.
- Empiricism - Rejected to follow rationalistic views of John Maynard Keynes.
- Tradition - ‘The Life Peerage Act 1958’ that saw life peers being appointed (including female peers)
An embrace of social liberalism.
How did Cameron support social liberalism?
He passed a bill for homosexual marriage in 2013.
How do Disraeli and Macmillan differ in terms of one-nation application?
- Disraeli based everything on empiricism and a scepticism of human nature.
- Macmillan based everything on rationalism with an advocation of Keynesian economics.
Why did the New Right see a rise in popularity in the 1970s?
The failure of Keynesian economics.
How were Keynesian economics failing?
- High inflation.
- Low economic growth.
(stagflation) - High unemployment.