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Political Ideas > Conservatism > Flashcards

Conservatism Flashcards

1
Q

definition of conservatism

A

Seek to conserve society and distrust ideological thinking.
Believe pragmatism, empiricism and tradition are superior to ideology with regards to maintaining an organic society
Humans are incapable of rationalism because they are imperfect

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2
Q

Define pragmatism

A

An approach that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application

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3
Q

Define empiricism

A

The idea that knowledge and evidence come from real experience and not abstract theories

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4
Q

Define tradition

A

The accumulated wisdom of the past that underpins society

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5
Q

Define an organic society

A

Belief that society is not created but emerges and grows - developing like an organism

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6
Q

Define enlightenment

A

A european intellectual movement of the late 17 & 18 centruries, emphasising reason and individualism rather than tradition

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7
Q

Are conservative party and conservatism the same thing

A

No

Conservative party contains lots of conservative ideas but also liberal, social, feminist an environmental ones

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8
Q

What is traditional conservatism

A

Reactionary ideology that resisted the decline of feudalism and artistocratic rule

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9
Q

Examples of a traditional conservative thinkers

A

Thomas Hobbes
Edmund Burke
Michael oakeshotte

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10
Q

Main ideas of traditional conservatism

A

Society is heirarchical and unequal
Elite are those who are best qualified to govern - they have a noblesse oblige to govern in the interests of the people
Humans are imperfect and need the state to provide order etc
Society can change but only gradually
Society is organic

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11
Q

Key ideas of Thomas Hobbes

A

1588-1679 (gosh he was old for that time)
Order - an ordered society should balance the human need to lead a free life
Human nature - humans are needy and easily led astray in attempts to understand the world

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12
Q

Thomas hobbes key text

A

Leviathan 1651
Humans are needy
Humans driven by individualistic needs not communal
Without govt / structure humans would live in a violent state of nature (war of self preservation)
Solution is a social contract between individuals in society and head of state
Contract gives legitimacy to sovereign
This is a rationalistic idea - individuals cede freedom in return for legal & physical protection
Society should balance need for order and human need to live free
Only way is thorugh strong authoratative govt

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13
Q

Thomas hobbes key quote

A

The passions of men are commonly more potent than their reason

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14
Q

Key ideas of Edmund Burke

A

1729-1797
Key text Reflections on the revolution in france
Organic change - political change should be undertaken with great caution
Tradition & empiricism - practices passed down for generations should be respected
Society must change to conserve

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15
Q

Edmund Burke key quote

A

All men have equal rights but not to equal things

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16
Q

What did Burke mean by change to conserve

A

Society should adapt to shifting circumstances by instigating small modifications rather than rejecting change outright

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17
Q

What is meant by human imperfection

A

The belief that humans are morally, intellectually and psychologically flawed which limits the efficacy of their decisions

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18
Q

Key ideas of Michael Oakeshott

A

1901-90
Key text On being Conservative
Human imperfection
Pragmatism (conservatism is what works in the real world)

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19
Q

Oakeshott key quote

A

a known good is not lightly to be surrendered for an unknown better

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20
Q

Define laissez faire

A

A belief in free market capitalist economy and minimal state intervention in economic, social and political spheres

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21
Q

What is one nation conservatism

A

Make society more stable and secure by minimising the inequalities between rich and poor

22
Q

Examples of one nation prime ministers

A 
Benjamin Disraeli
Harold Macmillan
David Cameron
Theresa May
Boris Johnson
23
Q

Disraeli one nation law example

A

Second reform act 1867 which gave most working men the vote

24
Q

Examples of one nation pragmatism

A

Accepting scottish/welsh devolution whilst opposing independence - change to conserve

25
Q

Define Neo liberalism

A 
Modernised version of classical liberalism
minimal state 
an atomistic society
Free market economy
Individual freedom
26
Q

Define Atomism

A

Society exists as a loose collection of self interested and self sufficient individuals

27
Q

Define Keynesianism

A

A system of economic management where the state directly intervenes to stimulate the economy in order to achieve full employment and economic growth

28
Q

Define stagflation

A

Presistent high inflation combined with high unemployment and stagnant demand

29
Q

Define Hawkish

A

Displaying an agressive/very strong position politically, economically or diplomatically

30
Q

Examples of Neo liberal thinkers

A

Ayn Rand

Robert Nozick

31
Q

Define Neo Conservatism

A

Modernised version of traditional conservatism
Focused on morality, social order and hawkish foreign policy
V critical of permissive social attitudes of 1960’s

32
Q

Key ideas of Ayn Rand

A

1905-82
Key text - The virtue of selfishness
Objectivism - virtues of rational self interest
Freedom - supports pure laissez faire capitalist economy
Only moral purpose of society to protect individual rights

33
Q

Key quote of Ayn Rand

A

Man must be the beneficiary of his own moral actions

34
Q

Define Radical

A

Any ideas that favour drastic political, economic and social change from the existing status quo

35
Q

Key ideas for Robert Nozick

A

1938-2002
Key text - Anarchy, State and Utopia
Libertarianism - based on Kant’s idea that indivuals in society cannot be treated as a thing or used against their will as a resource
Self ownership - individuals own their bodies, talents, abilities and labour

36
Q

Key quote robert Nozick

A

Taxation of earnings from labour is on a par with forced labour

37
Q

Example of neo conservative prime minister

A

Margaret Thatcher

38
Q

What are the 6 key priciples of conservatism

A 
Human imperfection
Pragmatism
Traditon
Organic society
Paternalism
Libitarianism
39
Q

What are the origins of One Nation Conservatism

A 
Led by Benjamin Disraeli
The state (led by the political elite) should make small adjustments to the running of society and the economy to adapt to an ever changing world
40
Q

Origins of Neo Conservatism

A

Developed out of the reaction against the perceived permissiveness of the 1960’s with many conservatives concerned that traditional values were being eroded

41
Q

Origins of The New Right

A

Feeling that One Nation conservatives had sanctioned too many changes in the state’s role in the economy and had lost touch with conservative values

42
Q

Origins of Traditional Conservatism

A

Influenced by Thomas Hobbes
Feudal heirachic society which seeks order
Edmund Burke fought for similar ideas - his ideology was to be wary of change. It should only come after careful consideration
Puts emphasis on the accumulated wisdom of past society

43
Q

What were Thomas Hobbes key ideas and principles

A

Society is heirachical and unequal.
Humans do not have the same talents, skills and abilities
The elite are those best qualified to govern
they have noblesse Oblige to govern in the interests of the people
Humans are imperfect - without order there is chaos
State of Nature - without the state we would all live in a violent state of nature
Only solution is a social contract between society and head of state
Society gives up some freedoms in exchange for lawful protection
Society changes gradually and is organic

44
Q

Thoughts of Edumnd Burke

A

Evolution of traditional conservatism
Extended Hobbes theory
Concluded that humans were imperfect but disagreed on the extent
Organic change - political change should be organic and undertaken with caution
Tradition and Empiricism -should be passed down through generations
Change to conserve - adapting through small modifications will preserve societies traditional essence.
Without change society risks revolution
Ruling class has paternalistic responsibility to protect and maintain equilibrium
Human imperfection - flawed and intellectually limited. Should not practice abstract thinking

45
Q

Theories of Michael Oakeshott

A

Human imperfection - society is unpredictable, as are humans
Pragmatism - belief that conservatism is what works
Humans should put faith in long standing customs and traditions rather than abstract theories
Government should rule with pragmatic and empiricist values

46
Q

Theories of Ayn Rand

A

Neo Liberalism
Context - Russian communists took her father’s business
objectivism - atomistic society. Should seek self fulfilment and personal happiness
Rejects human imperfect and organic society
Obligations to society erode individual freedoms
Individual rights above all else
Oppose welfare spending and interference in individuals life by the state
Roll back the state eg abortion and homosexuality should be rights
Still requires a small state, free markets and national borders
Govt should only intervene in economics to prevent inflation

47
Q

Theories of robert nozick

A

Libertarianism - individuals can not be treated as a thing
Argued for self owership, meaning minimal interference in lives of indivuals makes for best society
State’s primary function is to protect human rights
Disagrees with Hobbes and Burke state legitimacy to interfere reinforcing individual freedoms
A small govt can create a minimalist state allowing communites to practice their own moral codes and religous values without them being state imposed

48
Q

Key ideas of Neo conservatism

A

Organic society based on christian values
Abolition of abortion
Promotion of anti permissiveness
Welfare state grown too great
Advocates military intervention to protect state security
key personality - Mrs Thatcher

49
Q

What is meant by human imperfection

A

All humans are flawed to some degree
Hobbes - humans are ruthlessly self interested
Burke - agreed with Hobbes but not to destructive level
Rand/Nozick - Humans are capable of rationality and thus can make self serving decisions

50
Q

What is pragmatism

A

Values practical experience over political theory
Key to Burke’s theory
Acknowledges some change is necessary but must be slow, evolutionary & peaceful
No abstract or innovative ideas

51
Q

What is paternalism

A

Society is unequal
Natural heirachy is formed as the dominant part of organic society
Noblesse oblige is a key theory - that the elite have a duty of care and responsiblity derived from their position to help those less fortunate
They must maintain order

52
Q

What is Libertarianism

A

Individuals rights to liberty
Minimal state intervention
Key thinkers were Rand and Nozick

Political Ideas (3 decks)

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