Conservatism Flashcards
Origins of Conservatism?
The Enlightenment & The French Revolution
Conservatisms view of Human Nature?
Philosophy of Imperfection - flawed & imperfect due to original sin = perfect society is unattainable.
Conservative Economy?
Capitalist - defends inequalities of wealth
Conservative view of Society (& Human Nature?)
The perfect society is unattainable due to human imperfection - society should be monitored as it grows and changes naturally
3 theorists & Human Nature
Thomas Hobbes - Cynical, nasty brutish & short, state of nature.
Micheal Oakeshott - modest, imperfect but not immoral
Robert Nozick - optimistic = desire for individual freedom - innovated by self-interest
3 theorists & the State
Thomas Hobbes -
Edmund Burke -
Ayn Rand -
What approach do conservatives take to Human Nature?
rational thought as a result of the enlightenment led to a realistic not optimistic approach
What would happen without state interference?
conflict between individuals - a social contract must instead be created so individuals give up their rights in return for protection
Key themes defining a conservative society? (7)
Localism Organicism Empiricism Tradition Hierarchy Judaeo-Christian morality Property
Key Themes defining a conservative state?
Order & Authority
Organic origins
The ruling class
The nation-state
The States in regards to Human Nature?
Human Nature is fixed and the state cannot change but rather maintain & monitor it
Society: Localism?
localised communities = ‘little platoons’ (burke) providing individuals w security.
(avoid selfish individuals = classic lib)
Society: Organicism?
society cannot b created, it emerges gradually over time - more like a plant than a machine that can grow and develop.
Society: Empiricism?
evidence over theory - society should aim to ‘stay afloat’ rather than aim itself (Oakeshott)
Society: Tradition?
gradual (evolution) rather than drastic change (revolution) = provide security in an uncertain world
Society: Hierarchy?
Affairs controlled by a small group of individuals - this power & responsibility comes with paternalism (responsibility)
Society: Judaeo-Christian morality?
religious principles - emphasis on marriage & families
Society: Property?
not acquired but handed down = tradition of continuity, provides stability
State; Order & Authority?
Main goal of the conservative state is to provide order & security = without this there would be no liberty
State: Organic Origins
State should emerge gradually (favour an unmodified constitution which is open to change)
State; The Ruling class
State reflecting elite society = aristocratic and hereditary rather than democratic, keen for a class born to rule the state, maintain traditional patterns of wealth & power in society = reject social upheaval
Private Property & Paternalism?
in the interest of the Property owning elite to be concerned for those less fortunate so they don’t revolt against them (burke)
What is the idea of a Social Contract?
State; citizens surrender their individual freedoms in return for security/state protection
How does Capitalism clash with Traditional Conservatism?
Laissez-Faire economics requires an optimistic view of human nature.
Capitalism promotes risk but conservatisms worship order & stability
= ‘reluctant supporters’
How is Capitalism made to work in a conservative economy?
Moderate capitalism - Free-markets are unpredictable so state must moderate it though state-imposed tariffs.
1) Traditional Conservatism; aftermath of french revolution?
1) Principles grounded in reaction to French Revolution 1789 - challenging established ideas, threatening order & tradition
PM support of aristocratic rule & paternalism which should not be disrupted = would threaten order.
Edmund Burke - concerned by radical interpretation of the enlightenment & its impact on security - ‘change to conserve’
1) Traditional Conservatism: Response to Egalitarianism & Racism?
3) conservatism evolved due to First World War & fascism
= sustain a society based on property ownership & inequality - prepared to sanction state intervention in order to protect privilege. = embraced Keynesian economics, welfare state.
2) New Right Conservatism
neo-liberalism and neo-conservstivism emphasis on individual freedom = laissez faire capitalism, private property & minimal government.
1) Traditional Conservatism: emergence of ‘one nation’
2) Threat of order continued through 19th century fuelled by demands for democracy.
nations aristocrats had a paternalist duty to ‘elevate the condition of the people’ Disraeli
= Conservatism should prioritise national unity by attending to societies poorer classes - used to justify state intervention & higher levels of public spending & Taxation.
= endorsed state sponsored reform, the opposite of minimal state intervention.
20th C - social conservatism & economic liberalism = supporting keynesianism & public spending on state welfare
The ‘crisis’ of traditional conservatism?
inflation, unemployment, unsustainable welfare spending (as a result of one nation conservatism) = new interpretation was urgent
How Capitalism is compatible with conservatism
- based on private property = supported by conservatives
- provides wealth to ruling class to be used for paternalistic support
- New Right C extend private property to increase individual freedoms
How Capitalism is not compatible with conservatism
- focuses on individuals rather than communities
- dynamic & volatile = threatening stability
- creates a meritocracy
Key aspects of New-Right Conservatism
Deregulation
Dismantling of Welfare System (dependency culture = limiting individualism)
Privatisation of Businesses
