conservatism

Question 1

what are the 5 core beliefs in conservatism?

Answer 1

-pragmatism

-tradition

-human imperfection

-organic society/state

-paternalism

Question 2

what are the 5 key thinkers in conservatism?

Answer 2

Thomas Hobbes

Edmund Burke

Michael Oakeshott

Ayn Rand

Robert Nozick

Question 3

what are the four stands of conservatism?

Answer 3

traditional
one-nation
neo-liberal
neo-conservative

Question 4

what does pragmatism mean?

Answer 4

decisions based on what works

Question 5

what is the need for pragmatism within conservatism?

Answer 5

Human nature cannot fully comprehend the complex reality of the world. Therefore, conservatives advocate for a social system that accounts for this – leading to pragmatism. What works now are ways that have worked in the past. It is better to follow these teachings/way of life as they have been built on, and sustained over time, and are far more reliable than a human’s impression of ‘what should be’. There is no need to change what already works, and what has been proven to work overtime. Pragmatism argues against the use of abstract ideas (like revolution), and instead we should deal with problems in a practical way – the way that works. Not a human ideal of how it should work instead.

Question 6

what does democracy of the dead mean?
(pragmatism)

Answer 6

‘Democracy of the dead’ - The present should not be arrogant enough to think they know best. Society is a contract between the dead, the present, and the future generation – so no government should only act in the interest of the present ideal.

Question 7

how do traditional and one-nation conservatives slightly differ on their views on pragmatism?

Answer 7

Traditional conservatism – advocates for pragmatism. We should preserve tradition and our institutions due to how they have served us well in the past. This stems from the French revolution. Edmund Burkes believed the French revolution was a bad thing, as it disregarded the teachings of the past that could help us in the future. Changes/amendments should therefore be made over time and evolve organically, rather than all at once.

One- nation conservatism – believes in pragmatism yet is less afraid of change. They see value in preserving institutions and teachings of the past, yet their primary goal is to act as one-nation. If equality is better achieved through changing the ways of the past, then it must be fixed. In this way, they believe the hierarchy (those at the top) should serve those below them.

Question 8

what does paternalism mean?

Answer 8

duty of care / social responsibility

Question 9

why do conservatives believe there is a need for paternalism?

Answer 9

Paternalism is to act in a fatherly fashion. The government should act in the best interest of the people. Paternalism supports Keynesian economics, as it believes the Government should intervene in the market to make sure market failure doesn’t occur – affecting usually the least well off first. Paternalism relies on conservative’s imperfect view on human nature, as those in power only need to act in a fatherly fashion, due to our tendencies to make wrong decisions.

Question 10

what is the difference between hard and soft paternalism?

Answer 10

Hard- paternalism (traditional) - help/support should be forced onto people, as they do not know what is best for them – whereas those born to rule, can shape a better response to their needs. Hard paternalism can be seen to violate autonomy and assumes we do not know best for ourselves.

Soft paternalism (one-nation) - paternalism is something that requires consent. This has a more optimistic view on human nature in comparison to hard paternalism. Soft paternalism is used to improve the life’s of those below those in power, to give more of the population a stake in society.

Question 11

what do the different strands within conservatism think about paternalism?

Answer 11

Traditional conservatives – The state knows what is best for those below them, thus we must do what the state tells us to. In this way, help is forced onto us, as we are inferior in comparison to rationally weigh up if this is the right decision or not. This is supported by Thomas Hobbes ideal of a Levithan – an all powerful state.

One - nation conservatism – accepts that there is a natural order in society (hierarchy). Yet those at the top have a duty of care to those below themselves. The elite should govern in the best interest of everyone. This promotes the ideals of the welfare state: education, benefits, etc.

Neo-liberals - denies paternalism, as people should be more self-reliant and fend for themselves. In this sense, the new right has a more optimistic view on human nature, as they think individuals are better equipped to make their own decisions and act as economic agents. Giving help to those in society makes the economy less efficient, as the population is not being pushed to work as hard as they could – as they know the state will support them if they won’t themselves.

Question 12

what is meant by tradition?

Answer 12

values from one generation passed onto the next

Question 13

why do conservatives believe tradition is important?

Answer 13

Tradition represents the accumulated wisdom of past societies and a connection between the generations. Tradition is an important part of our identity and history and is a product of an organic society. Tradition relates to a hierarchy because institutions like the monarchy, religion and family all contain this characteristic – and thus are the basis for any stable society.

Question 14

what do the different strands within conservatism think about tradition?

Answer 14

Traditional conservatives – Edmund burke believed that traditional customs and practices were God given. He believed in the same way the Lord created the world, he also created our society and all its customs / values. If we tamper with tradition, then we are tampering with the will of God. Tradition has past the test of time and therefore is more knowledgeable than humans in the present day.

One-nation conservatism – Sees value in a collective participation in tradition as we are acting more as a one-nation by sharing similar beliefs. Benjamin Disraeli was worried about revolution due to how it would divide the nation into two nations. Tradition therefore acts as the glue within society.

The new right – traditional customs should be preserved as they form a part of our identity, yet they are not important enough to justify limiting our ability to act freely in the market or to act in our own self-interest. They see value in our inherent flaws and promote us to use our selfishness for our own gain – which is against traditional and one-nations religious beliefs.For example, they would be against legislation to shut shops on a sunnday - although it was tradition it was economically inefficent and too intrusive.

Question 15

what is meant by human imperfection?

Answer 15

humans are irrational, selfish beings

Question 16

what are the 3 types of human imperfection?

Answer 16

Psychological imperfect- we fear isolation and instability

Morally imperfect- we are ruled by urges and irrational wants, rather than considering our actions wider effects. In this sense, we are selfish beings.

^The only effective deterrent from acting immoral is through legislation – backed up by the knowledge that it will be enforced (Hard paternalism).

Intellectually imperfect - we are limited in our ability to think and rationalize

Question 17

what do the different strands within conservatism think about human imperfection?

Answer 17

Traditional conservatives – promote a hierarchy because of our inability to rationalize for ourselves. Inequality is inevitable due to this, and equality is undesirable as a result – as irrational beings should not have equal say to those above them in the hierarchy. This stems from the Christian background of traditional conservatives, believing in the original sin that makes us this way. In this sense, they believe law and order must be upheld, but punishment shouldn’t be as harsh as the neo-conservatives believe, due to their religious ties.

One-nation conservatism – Agrees with traditional Conservatism that there is a natural hierarchy due to our inability to rationalize, however, takes a more optimistic view on how the state should interact with this imperfection. The state must be strong enough to protect individuals from one another, yet not powerful enough that civil liberties are jeopardized.

Neo-conservatives – a strong state with increased police powers (and punishment) to suppress public disorder and the use of government power to reinforce traditional social structures.

Neo- liberal conservatives – emphasizes rationality and our ability to seek the best outcome for ourselves. This contradicts the idea of an organic society and the need for a big government to combat our imperfection.

Question 18

what do the conservatives believe an organic society is?

Answer 18

Organic society – society operates like an organism

Society is more important than the individual. Society is a natural occurrence and has managed to grow from evolutionary change over time. They view society as an organism that emerges and evolves gradually over time to meet the needs of its members. A successful society is one that has strong links to its neighbours, and acts in the wider interest of the nation. Conservatives also believe that society is in a constant process of evolution. Consequently, adopting a revolutionary stance is both foolish and contrary to the lessons of the past.

Question 19

what do the different strands of conservatives think about the theory of an organic society?

Answer 19

Traditional conservatives and One-nation conservatives - Society is a God given organism that has evolved over time. Edmunnd Burke was scared of how a revolution would alienate the population from its routes.They think that a person is free when they willingly accept the rights and responsibilities that a society places on them. They see the family, for example, not as a choice of liberal design, but, as a necessity that people must have to survive and prosper.

Neo-conservatives – Would agree that the collective society is more important than any individual. This explains how the new-right has dealt with terrorism in modern day, for example taking away the civil liberties of suspected terrorists in order to protect the wider population.

Neo-liberals – Would argue against all other strains of conservatism, and state atomism is the correct theory instead. This states the main component of society is the individual. Society is only held together by a shared consensus, not by some natural force/ way of life. They are also critical of those families that seek to abandon their childcare responsibilities to ‘society’ in the form of the welfare state – this damages the nuclear family ideal and damages efficiency for the market as the government will have to start allocating money/resources instead.

Question 20

what are the different strands opinion on the economy?

Answer 20

Traditional conservatives – believe in high enough taxes to create a strong, responsive state. This is because the state must be funded somehow. A large funding will allow for the state to carry out hard paternalism and keep law and order – protecting society.

One-nation conservatives – Believe in Keynesian economics, stating the government should help stimulate demand in times of recession. This is to support all members of society and make sure the lesser off are not badly hit by any failure in the market. Taxes are important to make sure the government has enough money to interfere in the market and support families. This supports their ideals of a welfare state: funding the NHS, schools, etc.

Neo-conservatives – taxes should be high enough that the state can fund a well-equipped police force and be able to enforce law and order.

Neo-liberals – completely disagree with high taxes and instead advocate for low taxes and as a result – a minimal state. This is because the individual must act int their own interest and this cannot be fully achieved if their money is being taken by the state to help others instead. Low taxes promote innovation and more spending – stimulating the economy.

Question 21

What strand is Thomas Hobbes, and what were his main views?

Answer 21

Traditional conservative- the levithian

Question 22

What strand is Edmund Burke, and what were his main views?

Answer 22

traditional conservative - scared of revolution, society is God given,etc

Question 23

What strand is Robert Nozick and what were his main views?

Answer 23

Neo liberal- believed in atomism, we are all just indivudals and the economy should be governed by supply and demand.

Question 24

What strand was Michael Oakeshott and what was his main views?

Answer 24

One nation- advocates for pragmatism, stating we should priortise the “actual to the potential”, and should be skeptical of those that claim they can create a revolution / new way of life.