Conservatism

Question 1

what is traditional conservatism?

Answer 1

emerged in the eighteenth century: argued that pragmatism (practical attitude) , empiricism (based on evidence and experience) and tradition were vital in maintaining society

Question 2

what is one nation conservatism?

Answer 2

emerged in the nineteenth century: advocated for more state interference in both society and the economy to preserve society

Question 3

what is the new right?

Answer 3

emerged in the 1970s: marriage between neo liberalism and neo conservatism. argued that one nation conservatism had made too many changes to the role of the state in its interactions with society and the economy - lost touch with conservative values

Question 4

traditional conservative thinkers

Answer 4

Hobbes
Burke
Oakeshott

Question 5

what is Hobbes’ state of nature?

Answer 5

society before state and law was a fearful and violent place, and that people would need protection

Question 6

what is rationalism? give an example of it in practice

Answer 6

when change is made from abstract ideas

example: MacMillian adopting Keynesian economics rather than sticking to tradition

Question 7

what was Hobbes, Burkes and Oakshott’s view on human imperfection?

Answer 7

HOBBES: humans are imperfect and ruthlessly self interested

BURKE: agrees with Hobbes but to less of an extent, believes humans are imperfect but also that they are not ruthlessly individualistic

OAKESHOTT: humans are ‘fragile and fallible’ but they are capable of benevolence

Question 8

Hobbes’ view on the state

Answer 8

the state should have a social contract with people, and we need an absolute monarchy to guarantee rule of law

Question 9

Burkes view on the state

Answer 9

• the state should ‘change to conserve’
• we are made up of ‘little platoons’
• society is organic, and guided by empiricism
• organic society is hierarchal

Question 10

Oakeshott’s view on the state

Answer 10

change should be guided by empiricism and pragmatism, and the state should only go off experience

Question 11

what is Burkes idea of ‘little platoons’?

Answer 11

localised communities that retain their identity and these communities are bonded by affection and give structure to their lives

Question 12

what is Burkes ‘change to conserve’?

Answer 12

the idea that society should adapt/evolve shifting circumstances by making small changes. if society doesn’t change, there is a risk of rebellion (French Revolution)

Question 13

what is noblesse oblige?

Answer 13

it is when the more fortunate/wealthy have the duty to help those who are less fortunate in society

Question 14

what is pragmatism?

Answer 14

evaluating theories based on the past, inspired by empiricism, also consists of being flexible to decisions made

Question 15

what is tradition?

Answer 15

having trust in past values that underpin society and passing these beliefs onto generations.

Question 16

how is pragmatism put into practice?

Answer 16

Burkes ‘change to conserve’ inspired by Disraeli and Robert Peel

Peels Tamworth Manifesto:
argued conservatism needed to be more pragmatic and less reactionary. this led to the Great Reform Act 1832, which pragmatically accepted this emerging class during the industrial revolution

Artisan Dwellings Act 1875: dealt with slum clearance by turning low income areas into better places, this was a pragmatic approach

Question 17

what is tradition?

Answer 17

having trust in past values that underpin society and passing these beliefs onto generations

Question 18

what did Burke believe in for tradition?

Answer 18

Burke believed tradition is VITAL

society is a ‘partnership between those who are living, those who are dead and those who are to be born’

tradition, custom and habit should govern human action, not abstract thought

wisdom is found in long standing institutions like the monarchy, ancient schools, and universities. traditions allow individuals to feel belonging and a sense of identity

Question 19

what did Oakeshott believe in for tradition?

Answer 19

abandoning traditions is dangerous ‘what has stood the test of time is good and must not be lightly cast aside’

rationalistic ideas of the enlightenment have weakened religion. he argued that with the decline of religion, those who used to embrace its values now favour abstract ideas and harmful rationalist thinking

Question 20

what did neo conservatives believe for tradition?

Answer 20

although they may be unbelievers, they agree with Oakeshott that abandoning traditions is dangerous

Question 21

what have some of the consequences been of abandoning tradition?

Answer 21

The French and Russian revolutions

Question 22

what is the idea of an organic society and state?

Answer 22

conservatives believe that society is not created, but emerges and grows

Question 23

what did traditional conservative thinkers believe in terms of an organic society and state?

Answer 23

once the state provides the necessary order, society will emerge organically, maturing into a complicated organism of traditions and customs

Question 24

what is a natural hierarchy?

Answer 24

the idea that society is hierarchal, and inequality is natural

Question 25

what do different traditional conservatives think the hierarchal rank should be lead with?

Answer 25

Burke: aristocracy (wealth) should lead as they are wiser and stronger

Hobbes: society should be rules by an absolute monarch

Oakeshott: tradition should be conserved, and House of Lords and Electoral College should remain as they are

Question 26

what is paternalism?

Answer 26

the idea that the ruling class has a noblesse oblige relationship to weaker elements, and paternal responsibility is implemented in the hierarchal rank to help those who are less fortunate

Question 27

what did paternalism look like in practice?

Answer 27

• social reforms and welfarism to help the poorest in society
• Harold Macmillan’s mixed economy changed Disraeli’s one nation conservatism
• neo conservatives argued that those who were being supported through welfarism became dependent on the state, and the societal obligations of traditional conservatism had been forgotten
• neo conservatives understand the role of the state in society, but they wish to narrow its assistance

Question 28

what is libertarianism?

Answer 28

emphasises negative freedom and advocates minimal state intervention

Question 29

what are Burkes ideas on libertarianism?

Answer 29

he believed in laissez faire economics and sees the state playing a minimal role in society the economy

Question 30

what were neo-liberals’ thoughts on libertarianism?

Answer 30

• egotistical individualism: the rights of the individual are more important than those of the state
• negative freedom: the individual should be free from any constraints
• noblessee oblige restricts individuals’ development as it limits choice and prevents them from learning from mistakes

Question 31

Benjamin Disraelis aims and ideas

Answer 31

• aimed to make society secure at a time where there were tensions between the rich and the poor
• ‘the palace is not safe if the cottage is not happy’ - if the poor isn’t happy, there is a risk of revolution
• his reforms were inspired by Burkes ‘change to conserve’

Question 32

what did Nozick believe in terms of the state?

Answer 32

the state should be limited to law and order, protection from foreign invasion and should be a minimal state

Question 33

what did Nozick believe with state interference in the economy?

Answer 33

he believed in laissez faire economics and free market capitalism with a privatised economy

‘tax is theft’ and it ‘infringes upon freedom’

Question 34

what is monetarism?

Answer 34

controlling inflation through interest rates

Question 35

where do neo liberals and neo conservatives agree?

Answer 35

• a strong authoritarian state to maintain order
• low taxation through cuts on welfare state

Question 36

how far do Neo-liberals and Neo-conservatives disagree?

Answer 36

Neo-liberals wish to roll back the state, but Neo-conservatives wish to roll forward the state

Neo-liberals are more relaxed with immigration, but Neo-conservatives are more wary of it

Question 37

what is Rands view on society?

Answer 37

the only moral purpose of society is to protect rights

individuals have the right to maintain property and income without being taxed for welfare spending

she opposed welfare provision, believing individuals should maintain their lives through their ow efforts

Question 38

COMPLETYE DIFFERING VIEWS AND TENSIONS WITHIN CONSERVAISM

Answer 38

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