Conservatism Flashcards
Origins of Conservatism
The Enlightenment - a move torwards reason and progress, emphasis on individual righst and equality. If argued against would appera regressive and intolerant
The French Revolution - embraced the enlightenment by rejectin religious assumtpions and divine right -> by 1972 horrific consequences with beheading of King Louis XVI and many citizens. Made criticising liberalism easier as Conservatives could critixise progress without denying the enlightenment -> Conservatives recognised chnage but were wary of dangers of change i.e. beheadings
Core beliefs of Conservatism: Human Nature
Believe in ‘human imperfection’ which refers to many flaws of humanity that prohibits a perfect society
Argued by Hobbes who claims without formal authority, relations between people wuld be marked with ‘envy, hatred and war’
Core beliefs of Conservatism: Society: Localism
See society as a set of localised communities, descirbed by Burke as ‘little platoons’
Provide people with security, status and inspiration
Broke up selfish individualism
Core beliefs of Conservatism: Society: Organicism
Society can’t be constructed, it emerges gradually and organically
Human nature is determined by forces outside of our control (religion and god??) and grows like a plant -> cannot be predicted
Core beliefs of Conservatism: Society: Empiricism
Societies issues are dealt with in a pratical fashion
Need society to stay afloat rather than move torwards a specific destination
Core beliefs of Conservatism: Society: Tradition
Customs and habits provide security in an uncertain world
Changes need to be slow and not drastic -> against revolution
Core beliefs of Conservatism: Society: Hierarchy
Hierarchy is natural and brings responsibility
People at the top of society have responsibilty to protext those at the bottom
Core beliefs of Conservatism: Society: Judeo-Christian Morality
Guides people ethically and emphasises marriage and the family -> creates stability
Religion binds people together and creates social solidarity
Core beliefs of Conservatism: The Economy
Defend capitalism and the inequality it creates. Burke was a large supporter of laissez-faire capitalism
Thatcherism is a mix between neo-liberal policy (privastisation and tax reduction) and neo-conservative policy (strengthened police power, curbs on immigration and tax cuts)
Core beliefs of Conservatism: The State: Order and Authority
State has a disciplinarian function to provide order and authority
Stern laws are in place and ‘natural rights’ are unrealistic, only the state can give people rights due to their ability to pass legislation
Core beliefs of Conservatism: The State: Organic Origins
Prefer a state that emerges gradually and organically. Hence why Conservatives prefer an uncodified constitution as change hapens regularly -> allows us to alter what we believe with ease
Core beliefs of Conservatism: The State: A Ruling Class
Trained to rule the state but have responsibility to care for the lower class
Favourable to them as it maintains traditional patterns of wealth
What is traditional conservatism?
Largey a rejection of the French Revolution. Edmund Burke (1729-97) pointed out mankind fails more often than it succeeds so was critical of the idealistic society represented by the French Revolution. Was also critical due to his beliefs of change being gradual and maintaining tradition
Who are the traditional conservatism key thinkers?
Edmund Burke
Thomas Hobbe
Traditional Conservatism: Conservatism IS a ruling class ideology
During the French Revolution those like Burke defended the aristocratic role
Conservatives regularly defend property, priviledge and inequality
Stress on tradition prevents chnage -> chnage threatens ruling-class interests
Traditional Conservatism: Conservatism ISN’T a ruling class ideology
Order should appeal to all in society
Maintenance of ‘one-nation’ is supposed to help interests of the poor
New-right conervatism is meritocratic -> celebrates succes of people from varying backgrounds
Traditional Conservatism: Change to conserve
Core conservative idea. Applied by many ‘enlightened tory’ governments in early 19th century -> they wanted to stop spread of revolutionary ideas by embracing moderate reform which maintains tradition and ‘status-quo’ i.e. George Canning prepared legilsation that allowed Romand Catholics to participate in parliament
Traditional Conservatism: The Emergence of the Tory Party
Burke and many others in the ruling class had a lot of interest in current society, which shaped the maintenance of tradition and the emerging tory party
Furthered by Robert Peel who harnessed the interest of the new business class and ensured their representation in the Representation of the People Act 1832
What is One-Nation Conservatism
Belief conservatism should prioritide nation unity by attending to societies poorer classes. Justifies greater state intervention in society and the economy and thus higher spending and taxation