conservatism Flashcards
what is conservatism and the different strands
traditionally sought to conserve society
traditional conservatism - emerged as a reaction to the enlightenment and argued that pragmatism (a practical attitude), empiricism (evidence and experience) and tradition were vital to maintaining society
one- nation conservatism - developed in late 19th century and more in 20th. advocated for more state interference in both society and economy to preserve society
the new right - emerged as a force in the 1970s. marriage between Neo liberalism and Neo conservatism. it argued that one nation conservatism had sanctioned too many changes to the role of the state in society and economy therefore lost touch with conservative values
what are the core ideas
human imperfection
paternalism
tradition
organic society
pragmatism
liberty- modern value
views on human imperfection
believe we are morally imperfect - selfish and motivated by base impulses
intellectually imperfect - reality is beyond rational understanding - no abstract ideas
psychologically imperfect- security driven and socially dependant. rely on tradition and culture for identity
Thomas Hobbes - ‘life is nasty brutish and short’
believed humans are rational to seek order - surrender individual autonomy to a sovereign monarch who in return would provide order through authority
traditional conservatives views on human imperfection
THOMAS HOBBES (traditional) - ‘life is nasty brutish and short’
believed humans are rational to seek order - surrender individual autonomy to a sovereign monarch who in return would provide order through authority
EDMUND BURKE (traditional) - agreed that humans are imperfect but disagreed on the extent
he did not think humans were ruthlessly individualistic but actually naturally communal
agreed that humans can make mistakes
MICHAEL OAKESHOTT (traditional) - more in common with burke than Hobbes
argued that humans are ‘fragile and fallible’ but capable of benevolence
like burke argued that society is organic and consists of intricate customs and traditions that provide comfort
however the nirvana promised by utopian societies is unobtainable as perfection cannot be reached by imperfect creatures
his belief that humans are intellectually imperfect lead him to argue for ‘the politics of scepticism’ - no abstract ideas
views on society
conservatives believe that society is not created but emerges and grows, developing like an organism.
traditional conservatives such as Hobbes, Burke and Oakeshott believed that once the state provides the necessary order, society will emerge organically maturing into a complicated organism of traditions and customs
Hobbes believed in an absolute monarchy where the sovreign controlled every aspect of society however traditional conservatves such as burke Oakeshott as well as one nation and neo conservatives favoured other ideas like principle of parlimentary sovereignty and representative government. Burke wrote of ‘little platoons’ of localised communities that retain their identity and enable wider integration within the nation.
maintaining society -
the mutiple traditions give individuals a sense of ‘rootedness’ and belonging and in return individuals have an obligation to maintain society.
the state is an organism that must evolve if society is to continue to flourish.
burkes idea of ‘change to conserve’ has influences not just tradition conservatives but neo and one nation.
inaction can damage society like the french and russian revolutions - burke - ‘a state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation’- but ancient institutions should not be tampered with.
the organic society is hierachical - individuals are of unequal talents and ability
for hobbes society was to be ruled by an absolute monarch governing a ‘commonwealth’ arranged by rank.
for burke - the aristocracy should lead as they were wiser and stronger, they had responsiblity for the lower orders.
since mid to late 19th century all current conservative thinkers have accepted the concept of democracy however society remains hierachial even within modern democracy and the paternalism of noblesse oblige.
views on pragmatism
pragmatic thinkers are informed by empiricism.
burkes idea of ‘change to conserve’ influenced conservative PMs robert peel and benjamin disraeli
peels tamworth manifesto argued that conservatism must be pragmatic not reactionary - put this into practice with the reform act 1832 which gave middle class men the vote.
later one nation conservatism like in conservative Govs 1951-1979 pragmatically accepted and continued radical changes made to british society by attlees gov such as state intervention in the economy and the creation of the welfare state.
tradition
paternalism
conservatives believe society is unequal and arranged in natural hierachy in which the ruling class has noblesse oblige relationship to the weaker elements.
consequently the ruling elite of the late 19th century accepted their obligations to the new industrial working class by enacting social reforms and limited welfarism to help the poorest in society and to preserve stability.
after ww2 paternalistically motivated one nation conservatives increasingly intervened in both society and economy
pm harold macmillian 1957-63 combined state ownership and private enterprise, continuing socialist policies.
neo conservatives argued that the unintended consequences of paternalistic welfarism meant the people they were trying to help became dependant on the state and traditional conservatism had been forgotten therefore neo conservatism paternalism is akin to parental tough love - aknowledges role of state to intervene but wishes to narrow the scale of this
libertarianism
political philosphy that emphasises negative freedom (freedom from intereference) and advocates minimal state intervention.
libertarianism was inherent in traditonal conservatism as Burke supported adam smith, the champion of laissez-faire economics. traditional conservatism saw minimal role for the state in society and economy.
neo liberals believe in an atomistic society made up of self interested and self sufficent individuals. ayn rand is associated with ‘atomistic individualism’ where autonomous individuals seek rationalised self- fulfilment.
on rands term society does not exist as we are but as a loose collection of independant beings.
neo liberals like robert nozik and rand reject empiricism which puts them at odds with thinkers like burke and oakeshott.
neo liberals believe in egoistical individualism, whereby the rights of the individual are more important than those of the state.
they believe in negative freedom whereby the individusl should be free from as many external constraints as possible.
the paternalism of noblesse oblige restricts individuals development as it limits choice and prevents them from learning from their mistakes.
Neo liberalism challenges traditional conservative hierarchies and the legitimacy of the state with all of its organic tradtions,
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Traditional conservatism
best understood as a set of political ideas that were worked out in response to the french revlutional 1789
reactionary - hobbes - believes in a feudal hierarchic order of society. These ideas challenged by the enlightenment, French Revolution and changing dynamics of state and society caused by the industrial revolution. traditional conservatism is therefore a defensive ideology resisting the decline of aristocratic rule. as rule of aristcracy declined so did this aspect of conservatism.
non reactionary - burke - wanted to conserve ideas of hierachy, empiricism, tradition and authority however unlike the reactionary strand, non reactionary was capable of change but only after careful consideration. spirit of this shown through 19th century which saw adoption of moderate reforms like the founding of the metropolitan police 1829.
a natural disposition - oakeshott focuses on the psychological and intellectual aspects of human imperfection. conservatism is therefore a natural disposition rather than a politcal idea.
oakeshott therefore would prefer the trusted practiced methods of institutions - ‘what has stood the test of time is good and must not be lightly cast aside’
we should embrace scepticism and be guided by experience.
one nation conservatism
early one nation - by the later half of the 19th century governments were beginning to face the consequences of mass industrialisation and the call fro socialist reform
traditional conservative policy has always been laissez faire and minimal state intervention
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To what extent do conservatives agree about the states role in economy?
agreement
it is the role of the state to defend economic contracts and private property
it defends the existence of capitalism and the free market
private property is a vitally important component of the economy as it provides psychological secruity for individuals within society.
private property reduces individuals dependancy on the state. this espicially appeals to traditional conservatives and neo liberals
diagreement
neo liberals would abolish tax; neo conservatives and traditional conservatives argue for low taxation, while one-nation conservatives advocate higher levels of taxation.
most conservatives favour the free market and laisezz faire economics. one nation conservatives are more likely to favour state intervention within the economy.
neo conservatives are very sympathetic to the free market. however they are also informed by empirically based pragmatism and supported govenment intervention during the economic crisis of 2008, which neo liberals opposed.
neo liberals wish to ‘roll back the state’ preferring an atomistic state with much reduced welfare. all other areas of conservatism believe in an organic state and to differeing degrees welfarism.
