5.1d Paternalism Flashcards
Paternalism
Paternalism believes that some members of society should lead others and it is these people who have obligations to those below them to look after their best interests.
Conservatives believe in human imperfection, which justifies paternalism.
Humans may not always make the best choices for themselves, therefore it is acceptable to act on behalf of other people.
Conservatives tend to support the ‘trustee’ model of representation in parliament, rather than the ‘delegate’.
Paternalism: Traditional
Traditional conservatism takes a forceful and authoritarian approach to paternalism.
Traditional paternalism is the idea that the state knows best and therefore everyone has to do as the state says.
Paternalism: One nation conservatism
Benjamin Disraeli’s one nation conservatism had strong paternalist ideas.
This conservative ideology argued that there should be social classes, and the upper classes should look after the working classes.
The paternalism of one-nation conservatism has roots in the idea of noblesse oblige - the obligation of the aristocracy and upper classes to look after the working classes and less fortunate.
Paternalism: Neo-feudalism
Disraeli and Edmund Burke introduced the concept of ‘neo-feudalism’ which argued for class structures. The working classes produced goods.
The middle classes earned money and so if they were in power could have conflicts of interest.
The upper classes should rule because they had the time and money to already, their ancestors had been in power so they had historical knowledge and were able to rule ‘dispassionately’ (without self-interest).
Paternalism: Rejection by New Right
New Right conservatism, for example under Thatcher, rejected many paternalist ideas - instead there was a focus on individualism.
The individual had a responsibility to look after themselves and their family.
Thatcher rejected paternalist ideas of the establishment looking after the working classes by cutting social security such as state pensions.
