Conservatism Flashcards
Meaning of pragmatism?
Pragmatism- flexible approach to society on the basis of what works
Meaning of tradition?
Tradition- accumulated wisdom of past societies and connection of generations passed down
Meaning of human imperfection?
Human imperfection- humans are flawed making then incapable to do good for themselves - flawed morally, intellectually and psychologically
Meaning of paternalism?
Paternalism- power that governs in the interest of everyone
Meaning of libertarianism?
Libertarianism- upholds liberty seeking to maximise autonomy and free choice
Meaning of self ownership?
Self ownership- individuals own their bodies, talents, abilities and labour
Meaning of change to conserve?
Change to conserve- small changes could be made in order to conserve society
Meaning of localism?
Localism- society made up of small communities that share morals and traditions - little platoons
Meaning of organicism?
Organicism- society should emerge organically any force will cause anarchy
What are the 3 groups in Conservatism?
- Traditional Conservatives
- One Nation Conservatives
- New Right Conservatives
Who are the thinkers in Traditional Conservatives?
- Hobbes
- Burke
Who is the thinker in One Nation Conservatives?
-Oakeshott
Who are the thinkers in New Right Conservatives?
- Rand
- Nozick
To what extent are the conservatives united on their of economy?
Agreement- TC and Neo liberals defend tradition as the believe private property vital to the economy.
Disagreement- One nation and Neo liberals divided on economic role of state.
One nation- state need to take a role in the economy due to volatility of free markets. For pragmatic reasons we need the state.
Neo liberals - reject any state intervention due to true capitalism with unfettered free markets will bring prosperous economy. Due to the failure of public expenditure and inflation neo libs want to rectify Keynesian economics
Traditional Conservatives view on human nature?
Humans are seen as sinful due to the beginning original sin from Adam and Eve. Humanity is viewed as selfish and greedy.
Traditional conservatives view on the state?
The state must be authoritarian. hierarchy is is seen as essential to a successful society. The authoritarian nature provides security and order
Traditional Conservatives view on society?
- Humans need to come together as a community for there to be social stability. The little platoons that society would be in would prevent revolutions and guide humans away from their immoral human nature.
- Society would be able to function normally with accepting hierarchy. Society is organised as different humans have different talents there are elites as leaders thus inequality is inevitable
One nation view on human nature?
Humanity is best when it is free from ‘grand designs’ and focused on the daily routines of life.
The extent to which we are flawed isn’t too bad.
One nation view on state ?
- The state should intervene to bridge the gap
- PM Macmillan promoted social mobility eg through council houses
- Disraeli said the palace isn’t safe if the cottage isn’t happy
One nation view on society?
- The rich have an obligation to look after the poor (noblesse oblige)
- Class structure is seen as organic, everyone in society has a part
One nation view on economy?
Capitalist but due to paternalism they don’t mind state intervention
New Right view on human nature?
Neo conservatives see human as frail and insecure
New Right view on society?
Neo conservatives wanted tougher law and order. they promote traditional family system. Oppose immigration
Neo liberal want people to be free exercising negative freedom
New Right on state?
The neo conservatives take an anti permissive view on policies eg homosexuality.Neo conservatives persist there should be a strong state
Neo liberals argue that the state should be minimal. Neo liberal see the state as coercive - using threats. They want individuals to be free to make rational choices. They believe that the innovation of people would be suppressed with a state
Hobbes believed the govt was necessary because man is by nature more individualistic than social. TRUE OR FALSE?
TRUE
Define empiricism?
Empiricism- any changes or challenges should be dealt with practically and based on evidence and tradition
Who believed that people should sign a social contract to establish political authority, surrendering all but their natural rights to the authority?
Hobbes
Who believed that organic society s more important than its individual parts as it gives individual rootedness and belonging?
Burke
Burke argued natural aristocracy should rule over society like a father did over his family (paternalism)? TRUE OR FALSE?
TRUE
Name ways New Right is not a compete break from traditional conservatism?
- NR still emphasise the importance of the state in controlling law and order and being authoritative
- NR still believe in traditional values that govern society- Judeo Christian morality
- NR still champion the importance of property
- NR still agree that human nature is self interested so needs a state to restrain it at times
Does Oakeshott support organic society analogy?
Yes
Nozick argues taxation is a form of slavery as the state gives others an entitlement to a part of the rewards of an individuals labour. TRUE OR FALSE
TRUE
Define what traditional conservatives mean by organic society?`
Society cannot be created but rather emerges organically like a living organism . Organic society = hierarchical with the elite having duties to maintain society’s well being
Define pragmatism and explain why the conservatives are divided over it?
TCs and ON are distrustful of rationalism so believe humans should be guided by pragmatism but Neo liberals have a positive view on human nature so prefer rationalism
Name one agreement between Burke and Hobbes regarding humans?
Both ridiculed any idea that human nature was saintly or flawless
Why did Hobbes argue there was a need for a social contract between the individual and the state?
So that we weren’t in a state where life was nasty brutish and short
What did ayn rand mean by the term objectivism?
no greater moral goal than achieving happiness. This is achieved through rational respect of reality.
4 objectives:
- reality
- reason
- self interest
- capitalism
Why did Oakeshott claim that society merely aims to stay afloat in uncertain waters, rather than sail towards some specific destination?
conservatives will deal with today’s society’s issues in practical and evidential fashion, with no clear view how society might evolve in the years ad decades ahead
What was Nozick’s view of society?
Society should be geared by individual self fulfilment. This may lead to a plethora of small communities reflective their members diverse taste and philosophies
Define anti permissiveness?
Want to rec verse much of the social liberalism eg: divorce, LGBT, abortion
How did the New Right emerge?
Crisis in the 1970’s with things like inflation, unemployment, increased crime rates society was becoming ungovernable
