conservatism Flashcards
core ideas
pragmatism
tradition
Human imperfection
organic society
paternalism
pragmatism
seeks to solve problems based on most sensible way to solve it not fixed idealogical theories
empiricism
a rejection of ideology
knowledge comes from tradition and experience rather than ideas
tradition
learning from previous generations
suspicious of change as it goes against tradition
change to conserve
belief that change is necessary but should be slow, evolutionary and based on experience in order to protect tradition and prevent social instability
edmund Bruke
rejected liberal ideas
tradition based on stable society
rejected french revolution
beleived king should be constrained by parliement
Human imperfection
human nature is selfish and flawed
emotional rather than rational
we seek securtiy in a higherarchy
humans do not have a natrual sense of morality
thomas Hobbs
supported absaloute unlimited government
strong gov necessary
social contract theory - citizens must accept and obey government even repressive because alternative is far worse
unlimited obeidience in return for personal security
atomism
humans are self seeking
nobless oblige
wealthy at the top have a duty to look after the poor
organic society
no attempts to transform society or disaster happens
paternalism
state has to act as a father figure to weak and flawed citizens
aims to protect status quo
form welfare provision in order to prevent discontent
hard paternalism
gov not concerned with consent
state can step in to prevent actions
that are undesirable eg smoking
soft paternalism
looking after needs of citizens
regulating behaviour of citizens but that it should do so with broad consent
benjamin disriali
rich have duty to look after poor
neo libs
provide ctizens with as much freedom as possible
strong individualism
law exists purely to defend rights of others
ayn rand
atlas shrugged
selfishness is a virtue and key to personal happiness
self seeking individuals will natrually support the free market
limited gov
man exists for his own sake
traditional conservatism
authoritarian
fears radical change
opposed to any new reformist ideas
uphold core values
higherarchy is essence of human society
one nation conservatism
attempt to bring together individualism and collectavism
responding to rise of capitalism
organic society
rejection of lazzie faire approach
not opposed to class structure
social reform is needed to protect the higherarchy
reform carried out to allieve poverty in order to ensure the poor were not a threat to social order
accepts need for a mixed economy
new right
rolling back state to free individuals from constraints
desire to return to past
strict moral codes tough stance on law and order
neo libs again
robert nozick reject one nation ideas
governments to blame for economic problems
necessary to accept unemployment
gov should cut taxes to encourage entrpenurship
invisible hand of market should guide the government
state should be minimal
welfare state has created a dependacy culture
trickle down economics
neo conservatives
anti permissiveness
anti divorce aborition having children outside of marriage
social authoritarians
support traditional family values
family type should be protected through the tax system
oppose immigration
oppose multicultralism
oakshott
rejcts ideology
politics should be practicial knowledge
