Conservatism Flashcards
Examples of pragmatism Thatcher-major
Under Margaret Thatcher, the Conservatives proposed a poll tax - something that John Major (a more one-nation conservative) saw as being not a pragmatic decision and was replaced with the Council Tax.
Examples of pragmatism David Cameron
David Cameron’s Conservative Party changed its policies based on coalition compromises between 2010 and 2015.
This can be argued to be because the party changed its ideas to the most electorally and socially pragmatic policies.
Pragmatism
Is a flexible approach to society with decisions being made on the basis of what works.
Pragmatism rejects ideology and dogma and instead accepts that the best route is what works
“What matters is what works”
Tradition
Institutions, customs and practices of a society have developed over time, also has religious roots as conservatives see traditions as God Given. However, this was weakned by the enlightenment of 18th century
Examples of traditions valued by cons
Marriage, The church/religioin and the monarchy
Oppose breaks with tradition e.g. hol reform or constitutional changes e.g. devolution, scottish independence
Key thinker associated with tradition
Edmund Burke supported ideas of tradition - he wrote after the 1789 French Revolution about the dangers of rejecting the ideas of the past.
Because of human imperfection, we cannot just create a new society - we should listen to the lessons and teachings of the past and society should evolve organically to meet current needs.
What does change to conserve mean?
Conserve or minimise change
Why do cons value tradition?
Represents the accumulated wisdom of the past
Darnwinisim - institutions that have stood the test fo time have done so because they are right
Provides society and individual w strong sense of identity foestering social stability and security
Conservatives view of human nature?
Humans are imperfect and cannot be made perfect even if their social circumstances improved, people are morally not good, people do not always behave rationally but are drieven by their desires, Humans like stability in their lives
What ways are human imperfect?
Psychologically
Morally
Intellectually
Psychological imperfect
Psychological - humans desire familiarity, safety and the security of knowing their place in society. Favour social order rather than liberty
Morally imperfect
Moral- As naturally selfish beings, humans are morally imperfect, anti-scoial criminal behaviour is down to human nature and not socio-economic deprivation, humans are flawed and require tough law and order, foreign policy based on national security rather than liberal notions of cooperation and harmony
Intellectually imperfect
Intellectual- Humans lack the intellect and powers of reasoning to understand the complex world. Conservatives reject theories or ideologies that claim to explain or predict the development of human society. Humans should be pragmatic and rely on history, tradition and practical experience to understand their place in the world. New right strand would disagree with this as more ideological based radical economic theories
Why do cons beliebe in strong law and order and mililtary?
Because humans are imperfect and selfish and can act morally bad for their own desire, thus requires strong law and order to be able to control these imperfect humans
What is an organic society?
Organic society is rooted in their belief that humans are dependent and security seeking, and that people cannot exist separately from society or from social groups such as their family or the local community
* This perspective views society as a living organism with all its parts working in harmony to ensure that the body remains healthy
* Society and social groups provide individuals with a sense of security and purpose and prevent the developmeny of anomie (a condition of instability affecting individuals and societies, produced by a breakdown in social standards and values or by a lack of purpose or ideas
What is atomisim?
Atomism is the idea that society is made up of self interested and self sufficient individuals (egotistical individualism) it can aslo describe increasing social breakdown and isolation. If people did not acknowledge and act on these responsibilities, bonds, human society would lack cohesion and descend into atomism
Atomistic society?
Views individuals as individuals in society as atoms working together
How is society like a body?
Organic society is like a living figure is maintained by a delicate set of relationships betweense these elements and if this careful balance is disturbed society will be undermined and possibly destroyed
An organic society is based on natural needs and instincts such as affection, security and concern rather than ideological blueprint devised by political theorists
Conservatives view of hierarchy and authority
Society naturally hierarchical based on fixed social ranks and inequalities, due to individuals having different talents, intellects, skills, work rates but mainly because different groups (limbs/organs) have to perform specific roles - some have to provide political leadership or manage large companies others need to look after children, grow food, care for sick, dispose of sewage
Why do cons believe that hierarchy and authority are good for society?
Justified inequalities for different levels of society and is reinforced by authority and authority develops naturally or organically in much the same way as society. Authority resides with political leaders, employers, managers, teachers, parents etc.
Authority is good for society as it performs a vital and positive function by providing humans with security, direction and support and promotes social cohesion by giving people a clear sense of how they fit into society and what theta re expected to do
Why are cons comfortable with an unequal society?
Inequality is justified because the most advantaged bear the heaviest social responsibilities, encourages paternalism as a means of social cohesion
What is nobless oblige
privilege entails responsibility
Rich in society have the responsibility to look after the poorest in society
Thachers view of organic society
Society was questioned by the new right with thatcher saying ‘No such thing as society’ and she had an individualist approach
Paternalism
Paternalism = the idea of government of people who are best equipped to lead by virtue of their birth, inheritance and upbringing - linked to views on hierarchy, order and organic society
What is a natural aristocracy
Natural aristocracy presided over society like a father did over his family - the social elite provides leadership because of its innate or hereditary abilities just as a father exercises authority, ensures protection and provides guidance - these skills or talents cannot be obtained by hard work or self improvement . Those at top of society have duty care for lower social ranks. E.g. Tentants improved material conditions for tenants and employees by involving themselves in charitable and philanthropic works
What was disraelis one nation conservatism
Disraeli was a conservative PM in his novels coningsby (1844) and sybil (1845) he warned that britain was dividing into two nations rich and poor and this could lead to a social revolution and the situation could be averted only by the privileged in society recognising their social obligation and duty to look after the less fortunate. His paternalism blended with self interest with principle, and passed some social reforms.
Why did disraeli urge the privileged in society to recognise their duties and obligations to the less well off, nobless oblige?
He warned that Britain was dividing into two nations rich and poor and this could lead to a social revolution and the situation could be averted only by the privileged in society recognising their social obligation and duty to look after the less fortunate.
Harol macmillian middle way conservatism
By mid 20th c one nation added a middle way economic approach and social reform in its pursuit of paternalistic polices. The moderate UK con govt steered a central course between free market economics and state planning on the grounds that the former led to social fragmentation and failed to protect the people while the latter stiffield individual initiative and entrepreneurial flair
Example of a paternalistic policy
David Cameron “compassionate conservatism” 0.7% GDP foreign aid
Covid- 19 furlough scheme, extension of free school meals in
holidays, limits on personal freedoms
Neo-liberalism - rejects the idea of paternalism and aims to reduce the size of the state so that the unregulated market can generate a more dynamic and efficient economy leading to increased growth and prosperity
What is libertarianism?
A political philosphy that emphasises the rights of individuals to liberty, advocates only minimal state intervention in the lives of citizens, primary role of the state is to protect individual rights and maximum economic freedom and minimal government regulation in social affairs - rival to paternalism core value
What is libertarianism?
Why does libertarianism reject paternalism?
rejects the idea of paternalism and aims to reduce the size of the state so that the unregulated market can generate a more dynamic and efficient economy leading to increased growth and prosperity
Why did BURKE advocate the free market
Burke advocated free market economy because such arrangements
were efficient, just and natural (due to human desire for wealth). For conservatives the operation of the capitalist free market represented a natural law that could not be altered without damaging prosperity and working conditions
What is libertarianism conservatism more commonly known as
The liberal new right or Neo-liberalism - associated with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. This rejects state intervention and champions free market ecnomy opposing Keynesian style demand managemeng and welfare programmes. The free market is the only mechanism that can efficiently supply goods and services on the basis of consumer demand
What is supply side economics and why do libertairans encourage this
Governments should focus on the supply side to create the conditions to facilitate the highest possible levels of production - producers access key economic (capital/labour/land) has to be unrestricted so obstacles such as government regulation, high taxation and trade union influence over workers must be removed
Why do libertarians object state welfare schemes
Personal freedom can only be guaranteed by rolling back the state, particularly social welfare programmes. Their objection to state welfare is partly economic (public services are inefficient and increasingly expensive, placing greater burdens on taxpayers) and partly moral ( redistribution of wealth is a form of state robbery and also creates a dependcy culture and erodes parental financial responsibility for children
Which uk and us leaders are associated with neo liberal ideas
Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan
Neo liberal view on HN?
Neo liberal view of rationalism
Neo liberal view on individual righst
Neo liberal views on society
Neo liberal view on state
Neo liberal view on moral issues
Neo liberal view on moralism
What are the three strands of conservatism?
Traditional
One nation
New Right
What is tradtional conservatism?
Traditonal conservatism
When did traditonal conservatism emerge?
Emerged in the 18thc as a reaction to the enlightment and the french revolution
Traditional conservatism views about society
Society is a living or organic entity w complex interconnecttions and relationships and it must evolve naturally at its own speed through small pragmatic changes to minmise harmful consquences
Traditional conservatism views about hierarchy
People do not have the same abilities, talents and energies so its natural that society should represented in a hierarchy and because different people have to do a different job
Traditional cons view about nobless oblige
Nobleess oblige is a french phrase rgar ebcapsulates the ideas that nobility and privellege bring with them social resposibilities notably duty and obligation to care for those less fortunate
Soft paternalism = since other groups within organic society accpet and thus give consnet that teh naturaly leaders are uniquely equipped to act in the best interrest
Traditional cons belief about inequality
They believe in inequality as people have different roles in society
Traditional cons view on human nature
Traditional conservatives believe in ‘soft’ paternalism, where those below accept that the natural leaders of society are those best equipped to act in everyone’s best interests. They believe in noblesse oblige, the duty of the aristocracy to care for the less fortunate in society.
A: Traditional conservatives believe human nature is flawed, irrational, and driven by base instincts like desire for power and self-interest. People are morally imperfect and need guidance. Left unchecked, humans cause chaos — hence, a strong authority is required to control and channel behaviour. Change is risky due to these flaws.
Traditional conservatives viw on society
Organic society - Traditional conservatives view society as naturally hierarchical. They believe that people should be rewarded differently in pay and status depending on their position in the hierarchy. They also support the concept of the organic society.
Changes to one part of society will affect the rest of society and so gradual change is preferred over radical change
For traditional conservatives, reform to society must be pragmatic and learn from past lessons to ensure practical solutions are established.
Traditional views on state
Traditional conservatism sees the state as a defender of the established order and hierarchy. It supports the idea of an organic society and believes that humans should not attempt to reform society in a principled or ideological manner. Instead, reform should be pragmatic to prevent societal breakdown.
Traditional view on economy
One nation conservatisms
An updated version of traditional emerged in response to the development of laissez faire capitalism and the industrlisation in the 19thc
One nation conservatism is a paternalistic form of British political conservatism.
When did one nation emerge
What changes took place during industrial revolution?
Factories became mehcanised and industrliaised with people creating and working in factories rather than in their homes as they previously were
Founders of one nation?
Benjamin Disraeli conservative prime minister in 1868 and from 1874-1880 regarded as founder of one nation conservatism - he felt that capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism that undermined the idea of social responsibility.
Idea of britain being two nations
Growing industrialization led to the concern of Britian being divided dinto two nations (The rich and the poor) and that this was destabalise society, sharpen class conflict and possibly lead to a revolution
Three key parts of disraelis one nation
One nation maintence of traditional instituions
One nation support for imperalism
One nation Social and other reforms for working class
One nation view on HM
: One-Nation conservatives agree with traditional conservatives that humans are flawed, but they have a more optimistic tone. They believe with the right paternalistic leadership and institutions, people can behave responsibly. This view supports reform to avoid social breakdown.
One nation view on Society
One-Nation conservatives also support an organic society, but with more responsibility from the elite. They believe in paternalism — the wealthy and powerful have a duty to care for the less fortunate (“noblesse oblige”). This maintains national unity and prevents class conflict.
One nation view on economy
The state should act pragmatically to preserve the nation. One-Nation conservatives accept a more active state role in addressing inequality and maintaining stability. Reform is justified to prevent revolution. The state is a unifying force and a paternalistic guardian.
New right
They support a mixed economy — capitalism with some state intervention. They favour moderate redistribution, welfare programs, and public services to reduce poverty and prevent social unrest. Inspired by Keynesian economics after WWII.
New right
From the mid 1970s as a rival to one nation conservatism
Two strands of new right
Neo liberal
New conservatives
What is neo liberalism?
Is a modernised version of classical liberalism, based on a commitment to the free- market economy, the minimal state and individual freedom and responsibility
What were neo liberal economic ideas a response to?
By the 1970s, economic state management, based on the ideas of John Maynard Keynes was beginning to fail in both USA and Uk A mixture of high inflation, low economic growth (stagflation) plus high unemployment plagued Europe and America
Key ideas of neo liberals?
A minimal state, Self- reliant individuals capable of making rational decisions in their own interests, The rejection of collectivism, The elimination of government intervention
Neo conservatism
An updated form of traditonal conservative social thinking based on committment to order, traditional values and public morality
Can be seen as a mild type of authoritarianism, Also called the conservative New Right
What were neo conservayive social ideas a response to?
Was a reaction to the reforms, ideas and permissive attitudes of the so-called “liberal” 1960s For neo- conservatives, these unwelcome changes threatened society with social fragmentation, which could only be stopped by strong political leadership and authority.
Neo conservative social ideas?
Neo-conservatives: Focus on the need to uphold social order and protect public morality. Believe that since the 1960s authority and respect have declined in Western nations, leading to higher crime figures and increased rates of anti- social behaviour, Argue for the re-imposition of authority and discipline at every level of society, to restore the authority of traditional social structures such as the family, Promotes the “strong state” or state authoritarianism,
NL View on HM
Neo liberals adopt atomistic individualism maintaining that human beings can be self reliant and rational in their decision making
NLView on society
Neo liberal reject assumptions of underpinning the organic society such as natural hierarchy and paternalism and instead view society as composed of independent and rational individuals opearing within a free market
Based on individualism
Atomistic society
NL View on state
Neo liberals call for rolling back of the state on the grounds that state intervention stifles economic initiative
NL View on economy
All favour enterpirse but neo liberals argue for a reduced states role in the economy and call for a free market economy on the grounds that it is the best mechanism to meet consumer demand maxmise the use of resources and generate prosperity
strongly support the free market, low taxes, deregulation, and privatisation. They reject state interference and welfare dependency. The market is the most efficient way to allocate resources and promote freedom.
NCView on hm
Pessmisic view are more sceptical — they believe humans need strong moral guidance and authority to avoid moral decay. They are more pessimistic, especially regarding social behaviour
NC View on society
value a strong national identity, shared morality, and traditional institutions like the nuclear family. They see social cohesion breaking down due to liberal values, and want to restore discipline and tradition.
NC View on state
Neo conservaties agree that the states role in the economy needs to be reduced and call for a strong state (police powers, tougher punishments and anti permissice policies) to combat crime, anti social behaviour and permissive attitudes
View on economy
All favour enterpirse but neo conservatives argue for a reduced states role in the economy
accept capitalism but are less focused on the economy — their concern lies more with maintaining social order and national values.
