Conservatism Flashcards
What are the strands of conservatism? Give examples of key thinkers.
- Traditional (Hobbes, Burke, Oakeshott)
- One-nation
- New Right (Rand, Nozick)
What are the origins of conservatism?
A reaction to the Enlightenment and the horrors of the French Revolution. A desire for small, gradual change (maintenance) as opposed to sudden, widespread change.
What is organicism?
Idea that society must emerge organically; it cannot be planned.
What is empiricism?
Society should be based on knowledge of the past and tradition. (This is contradictory to socialism and liberalism, which are both progressive ideologies.)
What is paternalism?
The idea that those higher in the societal hierarchy have a duty to look after those lower down (like a father).
What do the different strands think about human nature?
- Traditional: the state of nature would be “nasty, brutish and short” (Hobbes). Humans are selfish. Negative view of human nature.
- One-nation: people should be taught how to thrive. Less negative than traditional conservatism.
- New Right: a mix. Thatcher had a largely negative view, hence her focus on law and order. Rand believed humans are guided by rational self-interest.
What do the strands think about the state?
- Traditional: State is necessary to prevent disorder. People should obey the government. Monarchist, pro-aristocracy.
- One-nation: State should make small changes to look after the poor (such as the Factory Acts in Britain or post-war consensus).
- New Right: Rand said “small state is the strong state.” Nozick believed in minarchism - a night watchman state.
What did Oakeshott believe about the state?
He likened individuals to ships sailing an open sea. The government’s job is to “keep the ship afloat,” nothing more.
What do the strands think about society?
- Traditional: organicism - Burke’s “little platoons.” A ruling class that leads in the interests of all.
- One-nation: “The palace is not safe when the cottage is not happy.” (Disraeli) Paternalistic obligation of those at the top of society to help those lower down.
- New Right: Rand believed in atomism - society is made up of autonomous individuals. Nozick wanted small, voluntary, self-governing communities.
Society is shaped by individuals (not governments).
What do the strands think about the economy?
- Traditional: generally individualist, pro-free market and -private property.
- One-nation: pragmatic, accept some degree of state involvement and equality in society. Support welfare state and mixed economy.
- New Right: laissez-faire economics focusing on individualism. Love privatisation and private property. Nozick said tax is theft “for the most part.”
In what ways do conservatives agree about society?
- All oppose revolution
- Oppose progressive ideologies that think society will always improve
- Society should be hierarchical (although they disagree on hereditary/meritocratic)
- Empiricism - they see society as it is, not as it should be
- Most believe in the Judeo-Christian view of morality
- Inequality is inevitable and even desirable
In what ways do conservatives agree about the state?
- All agree a state is necessary
- State should not try to plan or direct society (organicism)
- Governments should be pragmatic and not radical
- Most agree on the need for a strong state when it comes to law and order, to rein in humans’ tendency to do wrong.
In what ways do conservatives agree about human nature?
- Humans are guided by self-interest (Rand thinks this is a good thing)
- Most have a negative view of human nature (some in New Right have a positive, objectivist view)
- All oppose revolution and utopianism
- Humans need some kind of state to ensure order and prevent chaos
What is objectivism?
The idea that humans are guided by rational self-interest. Effectively a classical liberal idea but also believed by New Right thinkers such as Ayn Rand.
What was the Factory Act 1874?
Regulated factory-owners. An early example of one-nation conservatism.
