Conservatism Flashcards
Conservatism before ideas emerged in the 1970s?
- Aims to conserve society as it is wary of change
- Pragmatism is prized over ideology
- Ideas and principles evolve and adapt
Where does the view pragmatism come from?
- Humans can’t understand the complexities of the world
- Radical ideas like human rights and equality promote revolution
- Attempts to improve humans are incomplete and lead to the unexpected
- Better to act cautiously and moderately
Pragmatism is essentially…
Making decisions based on what works (or at least what has worked before)
Why is pragmatism to a degree problematic?
- Lack of Principles - what do you stand for?
- Follow rather than lead, the public
What are the tensions within Conservatism?
Traditional Conservatism
One Nation Conservatism
Neo- Conservatives
Summary of Traditional conservatism
Strongly associated with the concept of hierarchy. In order for a society to function effectively, there must be some form of hierarchy.
-society is organic, altering will mess with the rest in odd ways, must evolve naturally in small steps, tried and tested institutions, wisdom of the past, only pragmatism, ideology upsets this and lead to disaster, natural order to society, hierarchy is natural equality is not, leadership falls to the aristocracy (paternalism) they know what is best
Summary of One Nation Conservatism?
Rampant industrialism - Capitalism creates self-interested individuals, creates inequalities -Revolution!!! Avoid revolution? Recommit to reforms for the poor and social obligation (to help others) Stave off revolution and maintain the leaders at the top of society, welfare and reforms might make them popular with the working class voters
Are these Traditional and One-nation ideas still around?
Fell out of fashion under Thatcher
The New Right consisted of two differing ideologies?
Neo-liberal
Neo-Conservatism
What is neo-liberal?
Modern version of classical liberalism
- Free market
- Minimal state
- Individual freedom
What is neo-conservatism?
Modern version of traditional conservatism
- Committment to order
- Traditional values
- Public morality
What is the contradiction with neo-liberal and neo-conservatism?
Ultimate freedom in economics, if you are a bussiness you can do what you want
Restrictive social attitude - alternative lifestyles, drugs, LGBTQ+ rights are out
What type of conservatism does Hobbes believe in?
Traditional
What type of conservatism does Oakeshott believe in?
One-Nation
What type of conservatism does Rand and Nozick believe in?
Neo
Hobbes view on CHANGE?
A restless desire for power would lead to war
Burke’s view on CHANGE?
Change to conserve, has to be undertaken with caution and mindful of the delicate balance inherent in a organic society
Oakeshott view on CHANGE?
PRAGMATISM!!!!
A ‘rationalist’ political leader is inclined to make decisions based on the ‘authority’ of his own reason (rather than passed experience)
Encourages dangerous ideas that the leader fully understands society and how it should be changed
Burkes view on IDEOLOGY?
Anti-ideology
Oakeshot view on IDEOLOGY?
Anti-ideology
PRAGMATISM (only necessary to change)
Rand’s view on IDEOLOGY?
‘FOR’ ideology
Nozick’s view on IDEOLOGY?
‘For’ ideology
Hobbes view on INDIVIDUALS?
Humans are needy, vulnerable and easily led astray in their attempts to understand the world around them
Burke’s view on INDIVIDUALS?
Humans nature is flawed. Everyone has a responsibility within society
Oakeshott’s view on INDIVIDUALS?
Humans are imperfect. They lack the mental knowledge to make sense of a complex modern world
Rand’s view on INDIVIDUALS?
Rational self-interest is a virtue. The pursuit of rational self-interest is morally right, based on ‘the virtue of selfishness’
Nozick’s view on INDIVIDUALS?
Self-ownership and rationality mean individuals should be left to their own choices and they should pursue their own goals
Burke’s view on the STATE?
The state resembles a living organism like a plant that may be changed through gentle ‘pruning’ or ‘grafting’ in order to preserve the, stability and harmony of the social and political order
Oakeshott’s view on the STATE?
Political thinking and action should be guided by pragmatism and practical experience to ensure public acceptance, maintained social stability and cohesion and respond flexibility to shifting circumstances
Rand’s view on the STATE?
The state should be small, confined to a national security, enforcing contracts and law and order
Nozick’s view on the STATE?
The state should have minimal intervention upon the individual as they own their own bodies, talents, abilities and labour
Rand’s view on RIGHTS?
Individual rights - ‘no statism’ laissez-faire economics, intention of force is evil
Nozick’s view on RIGHTS?
Humans have rights to life, liberty and rewards of their work
Hobbes view on ORDER?
An ordered society should balance the human need to lead a free life
Rand’s view on WELFARE/TAX?
Punishes those who do well and is based on threat of force (taxation)
Force those who are doing well to suport those who aren’t (welfare)
Nozick’s view on WELFARE/TAX?
Taxation and Welfare, state regulation undermine the principle of minimal intervention
Hobbes view on RIGHTS?
Should be given up in exchange for order
Burkes view on RIGHTS?
Some rights and choices, but people should know their place
Oakeshott’s view on ORDER?
Only maintained through pragmatism
Rands view on ORDER?
Non-aggression principle!
Should be limited
Nozick’s view on ORDER?
He wants order, fair transactions no harm done
Burke’s view on WELFARE/TAX?
Play your role seems to work, don’t get rid of it
Oakeshott’s view on WELFARE/TAX?
Maintain it, seems to work, no point in changing
What is paternalism?
Is the traditional conservative belief that government should be conducted by those best equipped to lead and make decisions through birth, inheritance and upbringing
What is the difference between EMPIRICISM and PRAGMATISM?
Empiricism: the idea that knowledge is acquired through observation and perception.
Pragmatism: a logical and practical way of getting things accomplished.
What was Edmund Burke’s view on reforms and how they should be based on?
Reform should be limited and cautious, and be based on empiricism and tradition, rather than new abstract principles
Due to Ayn Rand believing in ‘Objectivism’ meaning people were guided by self-interest. What did this lead her to view society as?
Led her to see society in terms of atomism - meaning it is just a collection of individuals, therefore, society does not exist as an entity
Hobbes’ view on the STATE?
Is all about order, we must give up all rights (except self-defence) to the state to secure it
