Conservatism

Question 1

What are the aims of conservatism

Answer 1

To conserve society as it is as it is suspicious of change

Question 2

What are the core values of conservatism

Answer 2

Pragmatism and traditional conservatism
One nation conservatism
The new right

Question 3

Describe pragmatism

Answer 3

1 rejects idea that decisions should be made on practical experience and what works
2 it implies a flexible that considers what is acceptable and in the the best interest of the people, ensures social stability and cohesion

Question 4

Describe tradition

Answer 4

Refers to institutions, sustains and beliefs society has developed over time - passing from generation to generation

Question 5

Describe one nation conservatism

Answer 5

Supports more state interference in society and economy to preserve society

Question 6

Describe the new right

Answer 6

Mix of neo liberalism and neo conservatism argued it has encouraged to many changes to the role of the state and has lost touch with conservative values

Question 7

What are the arguments for pragmatism

Answer 7

1 human nature - humans lack the intelligence to understand the complex nature of the world and theories which claim to explain or improve conditions are rejected as destabilising

2 society - ideas such as equality and rights are dangerous because thy can lead to change that produce worse rather than improved conditions

3 the state - emphasises caution moderation gradualism and continuity will introduce necessary change without endangering social cohesion or stability

4 The economy - adopt a pragmatic middle way combining market competition and government regulation, arguing it promotes growth and social stability by creating wealth through private sector and generating funding for state provision

Question 8

Arguments in favour of tradition

Answer 8

1 human nature - provides humans who are weak and seeking security with the social framework to make sense of society and their place in it

2 Society - longs established institutions, customs , practices gives communities and nation a strong sense of identity that encourages social cohesion and security . An attempt to remove tradition will lead to instability ad insecurity

4 the economy - the capitalist market system has survived as an efficient productive form of economic organisation. It should be maintained as long as it doesn’t undermine conservative values/

Question 9

What did Oakeshott say about humans

Answer 9

That they were imperfect and self interested
Their imperfection needed to be reigned in because of humans capacity for evil
Because humans are dependent and insecure they can only exist in an organic state or society

Question 10

What are the 3 aspects of human imperfection

Answer 10

1 morally imperfect - humans are selfish and motivated by base impulses
2 intellectually imperfect - humans are unable to understand the complex world so they should rely on history and experience to understand their place in the world
3 psychologically imperfect - humans are security driven and socially dependent- rly on tradition and culture for an identity

Question 11

How do these imperfections link to human nature

Answer 11

Because of human weaknesses conservatives argue
1 the state has to impose tough law and order policy to deter criminal behaviour and strive for foreign policy based on national security not liberal ideas of international co operation and harmony

2 society has to be based on authority hierarchy and paternalism in order to provide people with stability, predictability and security

3 an economy based on capitalism is more powerful motivator as humans are self interested

Question 13

Conservative Support an organic society based on the views that humans are dependent and security seeking
What are the features of an organic society

Answer 13

1 society functions like a living organism with all of its parts working together to ensure the body stays healthy - social cohesion is preserved

2 long standing institutions play an important role in preserving the health of society and meet the need for human security they should not be changed or abolished

3 a hierarchy based on fixed ranks and inequalities because humans vary in intelligence and skills and different classes have different roles

4 paternalism - the most advantaged. (Financial rewards and status) have greatest responsibilities eg managers are paid more because their role is more demanding - they are obliged to protect jobs ad well being of workforce- this justifies economic inequality

5 top down authority shapes relations between different social groups and spreads through all institutions . Authority provides humans with direction and security and promotes social cohesion because it shows people where they fit in and offers leadership roles to be admired and respected
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Question 14

State 2 opposing conservative core ideas

Answer 14

Paternalism and liberalism

Question 15

Identify a government with paternalistic conservativistic ideas

Answer 15

Harold Wilsons 57-63 government

Question 16

Name a government where liberalism informed its policies

Answer 16

Margaret Thatchers 1979-1990 government and US president Ronald Reagan 81-89

Question 17

Describe paternalism

Answer 17

1 traditional conservative belief that government should be conducted by those set equpped to lead and make decisions through birth inheritance and upbringing
2 strongly linked to conservative vies on hierarchy, order
3 represents a form of power exerted from above by the state that governs in the interest of the population as a whole

Question 18

Describe libertarianism

Answer 18

1 advocates individual liberty
2 maximum economic freedom
3 minimum government regulation
4 more commonly known as the liberal new right or neo liberalism

Question 19

Arguments in favour of paternalism

Answer 19

1 human nature - in the past traditional conservatives (Burke) that hereditary abilities of the social elite gave them the authority to make decisions on society’s behalf and impose on them the obligation to care for the less fortunate
Modern one nation conservatives maintain that since human ability is unequal the successful are entitled to their rewards but have a responsibility to look after those unable to look after themselves

2 the economy - one nation paternalistic conservatism introduced by Disraeli and seen in Cameron and May governments has argued government regulation of the economy and social welfare measures are necessary to improve conditions for the poorest

3 society - conservative paternalism believes the privileged in society have a social responsibility to look at after those less fortunate and in doing so preserve their position, strengthen the hierarchical nature of society and remove threats to social order

4 the state- since 1945 one nation conservatives have argued that the modern state is the most appropriate agency to deliver social welfare and economic regulation in the interest of all Paternalism can be soft when recipients give consent and hard when it is imposed regardless of consent or opposition

Question 20

Arguments in favour of liberalism

Answer 20

1 1 the economy- the free market is the only mechanism that can efficiently supply goods and services on behalf of consumer demand and determine the natural level of unemployment
Inflation poses the biggest threat to the market economy because it inhibits economic and business activity. To curb inflation government spending has to be cut to control the money supply.

2 the state - state involvement in the mixed economy welfare programme and public ownership are rejected as to expensive and inefficient. Instead supply side economic policies should be pursued to boost production. Obsivles such as government regulation, high taxation, and trade union influence over the labour market should be removed to release wealth creating potential of the free market. Taxation represents a form of legalised state robbery by transferring property from one individual to another without consent .

3 Human nature - humans are naturally competitive autonomous individualistic self interested and rational. So social welfare provision rejected on moral grounds since it creates a dependency culture undermining personal responsibility freedom and initiative

Question 21

When and why did traditional conservatism emerge

Answer 21

In late 18th century as a response to the French Revolution

Question 22

What is traditional conservatism

Answer 22

1 living organism - society is a living body with complex relationships between its parts
2 an organic society has to be arranged as a hierarchy because people are not equal - different jobs are rewarded differently depending on the contribution they make
3 change or reform has to be introduced gradually and be based on past experience in order to maintain balance of society
4 any attempt to create a perfect society based on abstract theories will fail as it is not based on past experience
5 tried and tested institutions eg church, monarchy, family represent wisdom from the past and bind society through duty loyalty and affection

Question 23

What did Burke maintain

Answer 23

That the true natural aristocracy should govern
These are the people with the ability, experience and inclination to lead the nation wisely in the interest of the whole of society
Burke thought his small governing elite would be largely drawn from hereditary aristocracy.

Question 24

What are traditional conservative defences of aristocratic rule

Answer 24

1 rule by aristocracy was natural since for generations , the upper class had been raised and educated to govern at all levels in society . As large property holders they had a significant stake in society.

2 the longstanding practice of aristocratic rule was based of paternalism and noblesse oblige this meant that those in authority were best placed and had a duty to make decisions on behalf of society as a whole

Question 25

Outline how the French Revolution gave rise to conservatism

Answer 25

1 French Revolution was a major upheaval in France between 1789 and 1799 that violently removed the monarchy and the privileged position of aristocracy and the church
2 traditional conservatism was a reaction to the French Revolution by British ruling elite to justify their own privileged position and thereby avoid the same fate as their French counterparts

Question 26

What was enlightenment

Answer 26

An 18th century European intellectual movement that stressed the importance of human reason and the need to examine critically existing ideas, institutions and traditions.
2 Traditional conservatives rejected much enlightenment thinking on the grounds that it would encourage rapid change

Question 27

What did Edmund Burke 1790 study of the French Revolution state

Answer 27

1 it attacked the assumption that a system of government could be created on the basis of abstract theories and principles
2 it was his view that the French Revolution illustrated the dangers of sudden and far reaching change
3 the removal of the monarchy and aristocratic privilege undermined the stability of french society challenging established notions of authority, tradition, hierarchy and property
4 he feared France’s new leaders would lack the experience, restraint and understanding to perform the role. As a result the country would be in chaos

Question 28

What were the 2 key reasons for the emergence of one nation conservatism

Answer 28

1 rise of laissez faire capitalism in the 19th century led to fears that a self interested individualism was undermining the basic of society and the idea of social responsibility

2 growing industrialisation led to concern that Britain was becoming 2 nations rich and poor. And this division would destabilise society, sharpen class conflict and may lead to a revolution
One nation softened the undead of paternalism seeing it as the responsibility if the well off to look after those who are less fortunate

Question 29

Who is seen as the founder of one nation conservatism

Answer 29

Benjamin Disraeli minister 1868- 1880

Question 30

What did Disraeli set out to achieve

Answer 30

1 he wanted to reconcile the 2 nations as he believed conservatism would have to respond to thee social and economic changes by renewing its commitment to reform and social obligations

Question 31

What were Disraeli motives

Answer 31

1 reforms to improve conditions for the poorest would reduce social discontent, preserve positions of the upper class and likely increase working class support for the Conservative Party

2 the most privileged social groups had a moral and paternal duty to help the poor.

Question 32

What were Disraeli 3 key ideas for one nation conservatism

Answer 32

1 maintenance of traditional institutions - he was determined to protect traditional British institutions because they had proved themselves over time, provided stability and created a sense of national loyalty and identity across the classes

2 support for imperialism - Disraeli argued that the British empire strengthened national pride and Britains influence in the world. Imperialism appealed to all classes

3 social and other reforms for the working class - reforms were introduced (housin, food safety, voting rights) to create an alliance between the traditional ruling class and the workers, offset the negative effects of laissez faire capitalism and reduce social discontent

Question 33

Outline the conservative government 1951-1964

Answer 33

1 this government used Keynesian economics to maintain high employment , accepting a mixed economy and supporting the welfare state
2 Harold McMillan referred to this one nation approach as a middle way between unrestrained liberalism and socialist collectivism
3 R A Butler one nation conservative minister stated that government policy was designed to bring Disraeli 2 nations into a single social entity

Question 34

What did Harold McMillan conservative PM 57-63 propose

Answer 34

1 a half way house between unrestricted capitalism and state socialism to include public ownership of key industries, state funded welfare to establish a minimum standard of living

Question 35

What was new right conservatism

Answer 35

In the 70s was the main rival to one nation conservatism
Brought together Neo liberalism and Neo conservatism

Question 36

What gave rise to new right conservatism

Answer 36

1 the interventions of western government based on welfare provision and Keynesian techniques failed to combat stagflation (economy with rising inflation and rising unemployment)
2 new right conservatism was prominent in the 80s in UK and USA and commonly referred to as Thatcherism or Reaganism

Question 37

New right brought together Neo liberalism and Neo conservatism what were these

Answer 37

1 Neo liberalism - updated form of classic liberalism calls for a free market economy, a minimal state and individual freedom and responsibility
2 Neo Conservatism - modern version of traditional conservative social thinking that emphasises social order, traditional values, and public morality

Question 38

What are the creatures of the new right

Answer 38

1 traditional - Neo conservative endorse traditional views such as family values, respect for authority and benefits of hard work

2 radical - new right opposes economic and social interventions by government and adopts anti permissiveness regarding social attitudes and moral choices

3 reactionary - new right appear to regard 19th century as the Golders age of economic freedom and individual moral responsibility. A reactionary favours a return to this period as it has positive features currently lacking.

Question 39

What did Charles Murray argue in his post war study of US social policy

Answer 39

1 that the welfare state provision has crated a dependancy culture which has sapped the notion of individual responsibility and enabled some to evade their responsibility
He maintained the liberal nature of the welfare state encouraged a permissive outlook that undermines the traditional nuclear family and made alternative lifestyles financially viable

Question 40

What are the key principles of Neo liberalism

Answer 40

1 free market - only mechanism that can meet consumer demand, Make maximum use of resources, and produce greatest prosperity. Government interventions can not do this and create economic problems. Free market must be protected against inflation which discourages investment, protected against monopolies which reduce completion and choice, protected against government intervention which creates inflation by introducing to much money or credit into the economy

2 Inflation - governments vital economic role is to tackle inflation. Thatcher and Reagan adopted Friedmans monetarist policy in the 80s to reduce inflation through cuts in public spending

3 rejection of government intervention - state planning, nationalisation and high taxation lead to economic inefficiency and lack of incentive. State welfare provision expands resulting in rising taxation and inflation

4 atomistic individualism - individuals are rational, self interested. Individual freedoms can only be safeguarded by opposing collectivism

Question 41

What a re the key principles of Neo conservatism

Answer 41

1 social order - can only be safeguarded by strong political leadership and government authority, reintroduce discipline hierarchy and respect throughout society to resestablish traditional institutions
2 traditional values - such as respect for authority and law and the benefits of hard work have to be established to strengthen society and restore discipline. To achieve this the strong state has to be promoted, with grater police powers and tougher penalties
3 public morality - the permissive culture undermines public morality by allowing people to make their own moral choices - creating 2 problems a person may adopt an immoral lifestyle and if people are free to choose different moral positions it undermines the development of a common moral standard and then threatens social cohesion.

Question 42

What did the study by Friedrch von Hayek suggest

Answer 42

Argued that state intervention would erode individual liberty and create a new form of slavery. Free individuals would become dominated by and dependent on the state
This study became important for supporter of free market and opposers of state welfare provision

Question 43

What are the conservative key ideas of Hobbes

Answer 43

1 order - an ordered society should balance the human need to lead a free life
* in a state of nature humans are free from authority a desire for power leads to war
* rational people would sacrifice their freedom and natural rights for security through political authority
* government therefore is established by joint consent of people and those in power to preserve peace

2 Human nature - humans demonstrate needy and vulnerable characteristics by
*competing violently for basic necessities of life
*fighting out of fear to ensure their safety
8seeking reputation to avoid being challenged

Question 44

What are the conservative ideas of Edmund Burke

Answer 44

1 change to conserve
8 the state is like a living organism that can be changed through gentle pruning to preserve stability and harmony
* reform should be limited and cautious and be based on tradition not abstract principles
8 revolutionary change threatens institutions leading to social and political breakdown

2 respect tradition because they are passed from one generation to the next
8 they represent accumulated and tested wisdom
* continuing respect for tradition promotes social continuity
8 they encourage social cohesion and security because they offer a sense of belonging

Question 45

What are the conservative ideas of Michael Oakeshott

Answer 45

1 human imperfection - society is unpredictable and humans imperfect. They can not make sense of the complex modern world

2 pragmatism - political thinking should be guided by practical experience to ensure public acceptance, maintain stability and respond flexibly to changing circumstances

Question 46

What are the conservative ideas of Ayn Rand

Answer 46

1 objectivism - rational self interest is a virtue and is morally right
2 freedom - support for an unregulated laissez faire economy

Question 47

What are the conservtive ideas of Robert Nozick

Answer 47

1 libertarianism - individuals have rights to their lives,, liberty and rewards of their labour
2 self ownership - individuals own their own bodies talents abilities and labour- this is threatened by taxation to fund welfare

Question 48

To what extent do conservatives agree and disagree on human nature

Answer 48

Traditional conservatives -
1 ideas of Hobbes, Burke and Oakeshott dominate conservative understanding of Hyman nature ie that humans are morally, intellectually and psychologically imperfect
2 Hobbes thought humans were individualistically driven and rational enough to recognise they needed an absolute monarch to enforce order
3 Burke and Oakeshott’s view of rational and psychological fragility of human nature explains, in part, why most traditional conservatives view humans as communal creatures and view society as organic
4 Burkes belief in intelectual imperfection has influenced traditional conservative approach to statecraft with a preference for empiricism and pragmatism over the abstract principles favoured by classical liberalism

One Nation conservatives
1 early one nation conservatives were similar to traditional conservatives in their understanding of human nature and preference for pragmatism and organic society
2 later one nation conservatives are more open to rationalistic ideas
3 successive one nation conservative PMs ranging from Harold McMillan to Johnson have adopted rationalistic policies such as Keynesian economics

Neo Conservatives
1 believe in a Hobbesian view of moral imperfection and advocate tough law and order to maintain societal stability. Their understanding of human nature leads them to conclude that the state is required to ensure an organic society
2 However Neo conservatives are also open to rationalism and state management with Neo conservative governments in the UK and USA embarking on rationally inspired welfare and education reforms

Neo Liberals
1 have a much more optimistic view of human nature than the other branches of conservatism
2 they see the human nature in similar terms to Hobbes that people are autonomous individuals
3 however unlike Hobbes they have a positive view of human nature arguing humans are rational and motivated to pursue their own self interests
4 their interpretation of human nature means individuals first loyalty os to their personal happiness within an atomistic society
5 they prefer scientific fact and logic to the empiricism and pragmatism of traditional conservatism

Question 49

To what extent do conservatives agree and disagree on the role of the state

Answer 49

Traditional Conservatives
1 believe in a natural hierarchy so the state should be governed by the natural ruling class. For Hobbes this was a monarch for Burke aristocratic government . All traditional conservatives see the primary purpose of the state as being to preserve organic society
2 Burke influenced traditional conservatives into accepting that society was not static and that to preserve society the ruling class must accept the state must enact changes from time to time. Such changes should be informed by cautious pragmatism informed by empiricism. However the preference for traditional conservatives is minimal state involvement in society and economy
3 they argue that society must be protected from external forces as well as internal ones and advocate hawkish foreign policy and military intervention. Traditional conservative also favour insular nationalism and state autonomy in foreign policy

One Nation Conservatism
1 are influenced by Burkes idea of nobleness oblige and paternalisticstate interventionto peserve spciety. Likentraditional consrrvatives they feel the purpose of the state is to preserve society
2 early one nation reforms were influenced by empiricism and only saw small scale state intervrention
3 later one netion conservatives have favoured more readical, rationally inspired state intrvention that has seen the size of state involvement increase dramatically compared to traditional
4 in times of crisis they will advocate huge state intrference to preserve society and economy

Neo conservatives
1 influenced Hobbes and Burke - they see the primary function of th state is to preserve society
2 they believe in a less generous welfare state than one nation but agree there must be a welfare provision to maintain social order
3 they believe in anti poverty programms advocated by one nation and modern liberalism
4 in times of crisis they advocate huge state intrference to preserve society and economy

Neo Liberals
1 argue for Nozicks miniturist government - governing with minimal state interference
2 of all branches of conservatism they are the most hostile to state interferencein society and economy
3 like Nozick they see the promary role of the state is to protect human rights with state involvement
4 they do not believe in state sponsord welfare state Nozick called it legalised theft
5 unlike other branches of conservatism they oppose the idea of natural hierarchy and favour the idea of the most able to lead

Question 50

To what extent do conservatives agree and disaggregate on the nature of society

Answer 50

Traditional conservatives
1 THEY VIEW SOCIETY AS ORGANIC AND society can not exist before
the existence of the state
2 traditions and customs form part of the organic state that evolves over time Burle argued society must change if it is to be conserved

3 they favor upholding public morality and authoritarian law and order. Hobbes, Burke and Oakeshott all believed in the importance of religion alongside other traditions helping to bind society
4 Oakeshott argued perfection can not be created by imperfect creatures

ONE NATION
1 view society as organic and cannot exist before existence of the state
2 early and modern one nation conservatives are sympathetic to Burkes idea of traditions and customs binding society
3 modern on nation conservatism is influenced by modern liberalism and advocates extensive state intervention in society
4 modern one nation conservatism is more inclusive and are secular

Neo CONSEVATISM
1believe society is organic and sympathetic to Burkes traditions and customs binding society and Oakeshotts belief perfection can not be created by imperfect creatures
2 they are religious and prefer Christian values to secular view critical of what they describe as permissiveness and LGBTQA+
3 is paternal and advocates a welfare state but one that is less generous than one nation

NEO LIBERALS
1 like Rand and Nozick argue individuals are self interested and self sufficient like others they agree society can not pre exist the creation of the state
2 Rand and Nozick argued for rolling back state influence on society and economy
3 they do not believe in state funded welfare state

Question 51

To what extent do conservatives agree and disagree on the economy

Answer 51

Traditional conservative
1 mixed about idea of capitalism and role of state in economy
2 Burke influenced traditional conservatism with his support of free market

One Nation Conservatives
1 early one nation under Disraeli favoured free market but understood unregulated capitalism can lead to social tension and division so favored moderate state intervention to regulate economy
2 since 1960’s they have had a varied attitude to state intervention in economy McMillan and Heath favoured mixed economy and Keynesian economics later governments preferred privatised companies to nationalised and are sympathetic to the free market
3 they will sanction massive state intervention in economy during emergencies

NEO CONSeVATIVeS
1 favour a free market economy for wealth, employment and reducing costs of goods
2 thy are still informed by traditional conservative values such as pragmatism

NEO LIBERALS
1 only require state to act as a referee in ensuring rules are adhered to in the economy
2 they are committed to free market and oppose intervention of state management such as keynesian