Conservatism Flashcards
define pragmatism
Being practical and realistic about what can be changed
What is conservatism based off the idea of
Keeping things the same unless there is a good enough reason to bring about change
What did conservatism originate in response to
It was reactionary in response to the growth of liberalism and socialism
The enlightenment and French Revolution
What did Edmund Burke say in response to change
‘A state without means of change is without means of its conservation
What is the doctrine of maintenance
Ongoing repair and development
What did Michael oakeshott descirbe being conservative as
Being captain of a large ship on the open sea, not particularly heading anywhere but going serenely on its way without crashing into rocks or icebergs
Name 3 fundamental conservative principles
1) limited government is necessary to maintain civil society
2) equal justice under equal laws
3) life is a series of trade-offs (an action has a cost)
What did Milton Friedman suggest
There are four ways of spending money: (most efficient to least)
1) your own money on yourself
2) your own money on someone else
3) someone’s else’s money on urself
4) someone else’s money on someone else (GOVERNMENT SPENDING)
Describe conservatism in terms of human nature
- see humans as what they are not what they could be
- philosophy of imperfection
- human nature is fixed and cannot be re-moulded
What was Thomas Hobbes view on human nature
Ruthlessly selfish, calculating and competitive
-without the restraints of formal authority the world would be marked by ‘envy, hatred and war’
What was edmund Burkes view on human nature
- humans need custom, habit and experience as signposts as to how we should behave
- capable of kindness and wisdom as long as there actions were rooted in Christianity
- naturally communal
What is the philosophy of imperfection
We need a state to govern us and show us the right way
What did key thinkers Robert nOzick and Ayn Rand think about human nature
Human natures yearning for individual freedom
NOzick stated humans were freedom loving pack animals who needed the restraint of formal authority
four themes that underpin conservatism ideas on society, explain organicism
Organicism- society must be something that emerges gradually and cannot be wholly predicted
four themes that underpin conservatism ideas on society, explain judeo-Christian morality
Judeo-Christian morality- conservatism has strong attachment to Christian and its belief in original sin with strong emphasis on moral guidance, religious principles such as charity and compassion help bind individuals together and curb there imperfections
four themes that underpin conservatism ideas on society, explain property
Rather than being acquired by one autonomous individual,it is passed down from generations to generation providing a degree of stability
Property owners have a duty of care towards those less fortunate
The new right wish to extend property ownership throughout society
four themes that underpin conservatism ideas on society, explain hierarchy
Social hierarchy is natural and will occur in even the smallest of ‘little platoon’ communities (Burke)
Minority will exercise some authority over the majority
Give an example where the new right have extended property ownership throughout society
Margaret thatcher- right to buy policy
What do conservatives see the main function of the state is
To maintain law and order- without order there can be no liberty
-undisputed laws backed by firm authority
What is the main features of a conservative state
- organic origins- must emerge gradually, an organic pragmatic response to humanity’s needs (eg British constitution has evolved and moulded over time)
- a ruling class- power is aristocratic and hereditary rather than democratic
- state based on nationhood
What do nOzick and rand believe about the nation state
It is burdened by nationalised industries and the welfare state
‘When the state becomes flabby it becomes feeble’
What is the general concept behind conservative economics
Pro-capitalism
-strengthens cons ideas on hierarchy by making rich richer and poor poorer
Regarding the economy, what do conservatives prefer
A model of capitalism which is tempered by state intervention= PROTECTIONISM
What is the issue for conservatives with free market capitalism and laissez faire economics (supported by Burke)
Conservatism worships order, stability and continuity
Whereas free market capitalism promotes risk and innovation and even radical change
What did canning Pitt and peel all defend
The idea of a ruling class- Elitism (house of lords)
What did Robert peel support
The great reform act 1832
What did the great reform act 1832 achieve
Representation at Westminster to the newly industrialised towns of the north
What did Robert peel say in relation to law and order
“Without security there can be no liberty”
Reinforces conservative views on law and order
What did Benjamin Disraeli and Bismarck think about socialism
It was a threat to stability and tradition
Who founded one nation conservatism
What did they argue
Disraeli and Bismarck
All social classes were part of one national family
What is paternalism
The rich caring for the poor
-aristocracy have a duty of care
What did Disraeli say in regard to hierarchy
“The palace is not safe when the cottage is not happy”
What reshaped the 20th C political debate
What did this lead conservatives to fear
Reshaped by socialism and communism
Egalitarianism (equality)
What happened in the 20th century that reinforced the conservative fear of egalitarianism
Extension of the franchise in 1918
Give an example of pragmatism in the 20th C
Response to socialism and growing support to labour
Supported a greater deal of state intervention
A form of conservatism is Christian democracy, what does this involve
Authority and hierarchy
Emphasis on marriage and family life
Scepticism of free market economics
What is supranationalism
Something that goes ahead of every country eg the EU
Eurosceptics
What did US conservatives place more emphasis on
Individual freedom, Laissez faire capitalism private property and minimal government
What was happening in mid 1970s UK
Spiralling inflation, mounting unemployment, unsustainable welfare spending increased crime
What did neoliberalism try to achieve
- drastic reduction is taxation
- fighter control of government spending
- deregulation and privatisation
What did neo-conservatives want
Tougher approach to law and order
Robust approach to national defence
Less tolerant to immigration
What is new right conservatism
“A liberal mugged by reality”
Reinforcing police, social services and armed forces
Describe conservatism today
David Cameron 2010+ campaigned for a big society defending volunteerism
Greater sense of national identity after eu exit
Conservatism is constant and shows no signs of decaying
