conservatism 1 Flashcards
core ideas of conservatism
pragmatism - what works
tradition - accumulated wisdom from past societies
human imperfection - flawed morally, intellectually and psychologically
organic society/state - more important than individual parts - hierarchy
paternalism - power exerted from above by the state, that governs in the interests of the people
libertarianism - upholds liberty, seeking to maximise autonomy and free choice, mainly in the economy
conservatives views on human imperfection
Hobbes (traditional) - ‘life is nasty brutish and short’ - selfish but rational enough to seek order eg social contract
burke - somewhat negative - ‘fragile and fallible’
Oakeshott - somewhat negative - focused on intellectual imperfection - decisions should be grouped in empiricism not rationalism
ayn rand - positive - humans are capable of rational thought and should be ‘objectivist’ in pursuing self interest
Robert nozik - positive - people are rational and driven by ideas of self- ownership pf their talent abilities and labour
conservative views on society
tradition - influenced by ideas of Hobbes - believes in feudal hierarchic order of society
reaction to French enlightenment - resisting decline of aristocratic rule
burke - conservative ideas of hierarchy, empiricism, tradition and authority which had been undermined by the enlightenment - burke argued they should be defended as they help maintain societal equilibrium
change to conserve - adopted moderate reforms to keep society stable
outdated traditions that could spark revolution were carefully changed by empirical deliberation
change to conserve an organic society
early one nation - Disraeli aimed to make society secure by addressing the tensions between rich and poor and renewing a sense of national identity and community
Disraeli offered that all society were part of a family that was ‘the nation’
elite had a noblesse oblige responsibility to care for rest of the people - ‘the palace is not safe when the cottage is not happy’ - influenced by burkes change to conserve
early one nation reforms were the representation of the people act 1867
later one nation conservatism - 1945 -
associated with macmillan
believed preserving society was of great importance - viewed the debilitating effects of unemployment as terrible threat to stability
could abandon tradition
take more proactive role in society
the new right - 1960s+70s - associated with Reagan and thatcher
marriage of Neo liberalism and Neo conservatism
conservative views on the state and economy
traditional
burke- governments rely on empirical informed pragmatism to govern
state should change to conserve
resists decline of airticratic rule
committed to laisezz fair economics - free market
early one nation
state should intervene slightly to receive tensions between rich and poor - still limited intervention
modern one nation
Keynesian economics - emphasizes the role of state in driving economic activity and promoting full employment. Keynesians believe that free market economies are prone to periods of recession which lead to instability and that government intervention is necessary to stabilise the economy.
rand + nozick+ traditional thinkers disagree
nozick - states primary function is too protect individual human rights
rand - free economics + minimal role of state - individualism she was for abortion ect which modern one nation also embraces
new right /neo liberal -
views on paternalism
authoritarian approach - Hobbes - traditional - the state knows best
one nation - elite has noblesse oblige - help poor so increased intervention in society and economy
new right - committed to a reduction in the role of the state within economic affairs - Thatcher implemented a range of policies such as privatisation, deregulation and the sale of council houses.
to what extent do conservatives agree about the states role in economy
agreement
role of state is too defend economic contracts and private property
defends the existence of capitalism and the free market
private property reduces individuals dependancy on the state - especially appeals to traditional conservatives and Neo liberals
disagreement - Neo liberals/ new right would abolish tax , traditional conservatives argue for low taxation while one nation advocate higher taxation
most conservatives favour laissez-faire economics whereas one nation Keynesian
neo liberals wish to ‘roll back the state’ preferring an automistic state with much reduced welfare whereas all other area of conservatism believe in an organic state and to differing degrees welfarism
