Conservatism Flashcards
what is the traditional conservative view of society?
as if it was an organism/living thing
an organic societu is one in which is more than a collection of its individual parts
any attempt to reform these relationship or abolish the parts constitutes a profound threat to society and would likely destroy the delicate fabric of society
thus creates a radical social breakdown
the individual can’t be desperate from society but is part of the group that nurtured them
this reflect the dependent and security seeking tendency of people
Conservative opinion of monarchy?
Ideologies social change come and go but monarchy endured in its traditional form the people will retain a sense of security and continuity
They take a similar view of traditional morality based around the family
This helps each new generation hold on to a lasting set of values in an ever changing world, this gives them a sense of security which will be passed on to next generation
how have conservatives defended authority as it is a source of support and guidance?
Supports and guides people who don’t know what’s good for them
eg poorly educated or children
Authority naturally arises from above
Rooted in nature of society and all social institutions
Linked to paternalism
how did Thatcher and New Right oppose traditional conservatism?
society is made up of free individuals; it is not organic
excessive interference by the state is counterproductive, holds back economic progress and inhibits the development of a sense of self responsibility
traditional institutions may be challenged if they can be shown to be holding back progress
conservative paternalism denies the individual spirit of enterprise and self responsibility so should be curbed
individuals prefer to be granted freedom rather than rely upon state support
why have conservatives supported tradition and continuity due to historical factors?
It has been tried and tested by history
having proved it’s value to larger society by its capacity to survive: functionalist perspective
in this view traditions are more reliable than abstract theories as guides to action as they encompass the accumulated wisdom of the past: best aspects of past societies
thus it would be irresponsible to reject them for the sake of ideological principle or abstract theory
any attempt to do so is fraught with danger
“democracy of the dead” GK Chesterton
“partnership between those who are living those who are dead and those who are yet to be born” burke
for example the monarchy embodies historical wisdom and experience in asserting natural loyalty and respect above party politics
why do conservatives justify social hierarchy on the basis of duty and responsibility?
social hierarchies are desirable as they encourage duty and responsibility
noblesse oblige
a pursuit of social equality would be unachievable and undesirable
why do conservatives justify social hierarchy on the basis of social stability?
A governing class helps to maintain respect for authority and law and order supporting social stability
how are Conservatives pragmatic?
Political action should NOT be the result of conflict over political dogmas and theories
It should be the result of a more gentle relationship between government and governed
Engage in a relationship with the people that would allow him or her to reach decisions based on the intimations and traditions of community
what is organic society
A belief which became entrenched in traditional conservative thought in the late 19th century
Society is merely s collection of free individuals but is a a single entity like a living organism
we are connected through humanity and common membership of the same community
ideally goals and aspirations of individuals will coincide with the goals of the society as whole
privatisation
the transfer of state assets from the public to the private sector
reflecting a contraction of the states responsibilitiies
How have the conservatives justified private property due to personal identity?
Property can be seen as the exteriorisation of personal identity
“home is your castle”
like conformity in society, but private property express personality
Property is a source of personal satisfaction and emotional well-being as opposed to merely external objects, valued because they are useful
eg right to buy scheme by thatcher, don’t have to fall in line with local authorities, can organised and decorate property as you want
example of the conservative commitment to private property?
1980s announced right to buy scheme
tenants in council owned housing would be given the opportunity to purchase their own homes on preferential terms
owning property have people a stake in society promoting social responsibility
how have conservatives defended authority as it is a source of security and guidance?
authority is a guiding hand
It allows individuals to know where they stand and what is expected of them
need authority as we want to be led (seek refuge)
authority arises naturally from above similar to a parent child relationship
view that humans are naturally flawed as they are psychologically limited - security seeking and fearing isolation and instability
“boundless and bottomless world”
authority counters rootlessness and anomie
main elements of contemporary US conservatism
a religious and moralistic attitude to social issues
opposition to socially progressive ideas
deep suspicion of centralised state power
an attachment to pluralist decentralised democracy
classical liberal economic views
fixed view of US culture and it’s superiorit
Desire to speed US values and influence globally
A view that democracy is a core value that should be widely exported and applied
how has modern british conservatism ignored tradition?
since the 1980s
It had embraced new social theories :
economic modernism,
privatisation and
opposition to the dependency culture,
they have attacked some traditional institutions
eg civil service, church of england, legal establishment
however still resistant to excessive social reform
How have the conservatives justified private property as it gives people a stake in society?
It promotes social values
Responsibility
Respect for law and the property of others
This people are encouraged to be law abiding and support authority
By strengthening social cohesion, property thus counters the tendency towards anarchy and base self interest
as private property promotes an inter-generational links as it can be passed down between generations - promoting responsibility and a sense of duty
For example, Macmillan criticises Thatcher for selling off the family silver – privatising her nationalised inheritance.
why do conservatives support one nation principles on a moral basis?
The wealthy and powerful owe their social position (to a degree) an accident of birth
this implies both that a high social position entails social duties, notably those linked to ameliorating poverty and supporting the disadvantaged
the poor are deserving in the sense they are not there architects of their own misfortune
so they can’t rectify their poverty through simple work and self help
Paternalism
The concept suggests that those who govern claim superior knowledge and judgment over those who are governed
Rulers believe that they understand what is good for the people more than the people themselves
Derived from the model of parent and child
Adopted by Peel and Disraeli adopted this approach
property
the ownership of physical goods or wealth
whether by private individuals groups of poeple or the state
how does the conservative view of hierarchy interact with organic society?
traditional conservatives believe that is s natural order which each individual fits
it’s normal and natural that society is divided into a number of strays
hierarchy supports organic society as it creates order and stability that individualism lacks
thus there is ordered inequality and one who is at the upper levels of hierarchy are expected to take responsibility for the welfare of lower orders
noblesse oblige
on what grounds do conservatives justify social hierarchy?
inevitable
duty and responsibility
social stability
why have conservatives supported tradition and continuity due to psychological factors?
Established customs are psychologically reassuring, generating a sense of stability and belonging precisely because they are familiar.
It generates social cohesion by linking people to a common past, providing them with a collective sense of who they are.
This thus provides people with a feeling of rootedness and belonging, all the stronger because it is historically based – combats “rootless anomie”: nationality
Without tradition, there would be a ‘journey into the unknown’, with insecurity and uncertainty, endangering happiness.
Tradition is thus more than effective political institutions, it encompasses familiarity and belonging;
from traditional colours of letterboxes or telephone boxes to the judiciary’s insistence on wearing traditional robes and wigs.
why do neoliberals support a minimal state?
First, ‘rolling back’ the state unleashes the dynamism of the market, offering the prospect of prosperity for all by removing the ‘dead hand’ of the state from the economy – the supply of goods and services is reconciled by demand for them.
Resources are therefore allocated to their most profitable use and ensure consumer needs are satisfied.
Second, it has moral benefits in that it widens individual freedom and strengthening personal responsibility. Individuals are encouraged to be self-reliant and make rational choices in their own interests.
The market then acts as a mechanism through which the sum of individual choices leads to progress and general benefit.
neoconservatism
a modern version of social conservatism that emphasises the need to
restore order and authority
eg reagan’s war on drugs that herd hardline policing to riots
traditional o family values eg victorian values
to revitalise nationalism eg thatchers faulklands war