Conservatism core themes Flashcards
How do Conservative change?
Change to conserve- this is the principle that indicates that for something valuable to be preserved, it has to be continuously updated and maintained.
What is the difference between reactionary and conservative politics?
Reactionary politics seeks to resist all change, to restore what has been lost, conservatism argues such objectives are futile and counter-productive.
For Conservatives, change is inevitable and so must occur in an appropriate manner by drawing upon all that is good which has happened before. A certain type of change is the only way to conserve what is worth conserving
What is Edmund Burke’s quote about change?
“A state without the means of change… is without the means of its conservation”
What does it mean to see Conservatism as a doctrine of maintenance?
a doctrine which advocates change, but in the form of ongoing change, repair and development rather than outright demolition
Why are Conservatives not always Conservative?
Many who fear change see their greatest enemy as free market capitalism, yet market driven change is often largely supported by Conservatives
Like liberalism, what was Conservatism a reaction to?
A reaction to the Enlightenment, which is defined by tolerance, equality and individual rights as well as the belief in progressive and that there’s an ideal society
Eventually, it became difficult for politicians to argue against the Enlightenment without appearing intolerant and regressive
What was the period of the Enlightenment around the American declaration of Independence and England’s glorious revolution often termed as?
The Whig supremacy
What was the first impressions of the French Revolution?
at first it was greeted with enthusiasm
What did Conservatives come to think about the French Revolution?
the ruthless imposition of reason could have shocking consequences as thousands of citizens were persecuted/ executed in the name of progress. It now seemed acceptable to criticize the enlightenment without sounding reactionary
What new ideology did the French revolution pave?
one that would respect the case for change while warning of its dangers
What is Conservative’s view on human nature?
a negative view as they stress human fallibility and flaws; a philosophy of imperfection.
What does the Conservative view of human nature make them feel about society?
deny any possibility of a perfect utopian society which comprises of flawless and rational individuals
Do Conservatives believe human nature can change?
They highlight humanity ‘as it is’ rather than what it should be- rejects the plastic view of human nature. Human nature is fixed and constant
What does Thomas Hobbes think about human nature?
he regards humans as ruthlessly selfish, calculating and competitive. He had a sceptical view, arguing it’s needy and vulnerable to therefore commit destructive acts
What does Thomas Hobbes think about the state of nature?
No existence of natural rights and it’s governed by ruthless self interest. Without the restraints of formal authority, relations between humans would be marked by ‘envy, hatred and rude’ leading to a life that is nasty, brutish and short, as they were left to form their own versions of acceptable and unacceptable conducts. However because each man’s right and wrong were most likely different, this would only lead to uncertainty and war
What did Burke think about human nature?
rejects that human nature is guided mainly by reason and dismissed any notion that man kind could plan the near-perfect society. Drawing on the biblical principal of sin, Burke highlighted the ‘chasm between our desire and our achievement’ and thus stressed custom, habit and experience as signposts for how we should behave
What was the difference between Burke’s and Hobbe’s view on human nature?
- Burke didn’t think humans were as brutally selfish as Hobbes alleged: fallible yes, terrible no.
- Burke thought that human beings were capable of kindness and altruism as long as their actions were rooted in history, traditions and the teaching of Christian Church.
- Burke didn’t agree with Hobbes’s view that human nature was ruthlessly individualistic. Burke argued that human nature was naturally communal, with individuals gaining comfort and support from small communities around them
What did Michael Oakeshott think of human nature?
Conservatism was ‘more psychology than ideology’ and that we prefer what is known rather than what is uncertain. Unlike Hobbes however, Oakeshott believed that life without law would be ‘not so much nasty, brutish and short… as noisy, foolish and flawed’.
Human nature was ‘fragile and fallible’, yet also ‘benign and benevolent’ when framed by routine, familiarity and religious principles
What did new right thinkers think about human nature?
human’s have a yearning for individual freedom, and its subsequent capacity for enterprise and innovation
What did all key thinkers believe about human nature
we need restraint from formal authority and deeply rooted communities and human nature is driven by self interest
What is Thomas Hobbes most famous work?
Leviathan
What did Thomas Hobbes say that people would eventually agree to?
Because humans aren’t wholly irrational, mankind would eventually realise that the state of nature was not preferable and so would agree to a contract. Under this contract, individuals would give to a sovereign the right to make laws to secure order and security. This would eventually lead to a society under which individuals could make some progress
What does Hobbes think the state has to be like to be effective?
autocratic, intimidating and forbidding
What are the features of a Conservative society?
Localism
Organicism
Empiricism
Tradition
Hierarchy
Judaeo-Christian morality
Property
What is localism?
It’s important to highlight they believe society does exist- they see it as a collection of localised communities, which Burke described as little platoons. These communities provide individuals with security, status and inspiration, while acting as a brake on selfish individualism.
One of Burke’s rejections to the French revolution was it seemed to create one large society that would override local loyalties
What is organicism?
Society is not something that can be created, but rather something that emerges organically overtime (and therefore somewhat mysteriously). Unlike liberals who believe in the infinite possibility of planning, Conservatives see the ‘reality’ of society, proof that human life is subject to forces beyond their scope of reason. To summarize society is like a plant and can never be predicted how it may grow
What is empiricism?
a preference for evidence over theory and emphasizes what is over what should be, with no clear view of how it will evolve in years to come
What does Oakeshott say about Conservative empiricism?
the Conservative society is one that merely aims to stay afloat rather than reach a specific destination
Why does a Conservative society put so much importance on tradition?
Thanks, to their belief on empiricism, customs and habits are used to provide security in an uncertain world, with history and experience shaping whatever changes become necessary
What does Oakeshott say about tradition?
‘Just as a plant’s new leaves are connected to, dependent on and explained by the plant’s roots and branches, so a society’s present direction stems from its past development
Why do Conservatives think hierarchy is important in society?
The imperfections of humanity lead seamlessly to inequalities within human nature. This in turn leads to an unequal society, where ‘the wiser, stronger and more opulent’ establish a hierarchy of power and privilege
What do Conservatives stress is the responsibility of those at the top of the hierarchy?
They have a responsibility of paternalism- also known as noblesse oblige- an idea that the relationship between the ruling class and lower class is akin to a relationship of a father and his children and they ruling class take responsibility for the latter
What are the two different types of paternalism?
Hard paternalism- elites decide what is best for the rest
Soft paternalism- the elites decisions will usually be preceded by listening to what the non-elites want
What is Judeo-Christian morality?
Strong emphasis on marriage, self-contained families and individuals being held accountable. Religious principles - such as the spiritual rewards of compassion and altruism- will help bind individuals together and curb imperfections
Why is property so important to Conservative society?
- support of tradition and continuity as it’s often passed down from generations, providing stability. It’s a tangible expression of Burke’s idea that the ideal society is a ‘partnership between those who are living, those are dead and those yet to be born’.
- Ongoing maintenance in society
- property and paternalism link- those with property have a ‘stake’ in society and should take concern for those less fortunate (those without property). Thus, property ownership provides those with it an incentive to exercise a duty of care
What do new right thinkers believe about property?
wish to extend property ownership, creating a property owning democracy. For Ran and Nozick, those who own property are generally better placed to resist state led incursions upon their liberty and will be emboldened to justify an unequal society
Why is the New Right’s view on society significantly different?
it places particular emphasis on individual liberty. However, it agrees individualism is best pursued in a society that values hierarchy, tradition and Judaeo-Christianity
What are the fundamental principles to Conservatives on how a state should be run?
order and authority
Organic origins
A ruling class
The nation state
Why is order and authority important to a Conservative state?
The state has a disciplinary focus and their main goal is to provide order, security and authority
Like Hobbes said, they believe without order, there could be no liberty and there can be no order until the emergence of clear laws back by firm authority
This is so important because THE STATE PRECEDES SOCIETY
Why is organic origins important to a Conservative state?
They are skeptical that the state arises momentously from a rational conversation. Such states are likely to be based on ideals rather than reality and aren’t empirical.
Therefore, they want a state that emerges gradually and has a pragmatic response to human needs
Why do Conservatives like the UK’s uncodified constitution?
because this has evolved gradually as a response to human needs
Why is it important to a Conservative (at least, traditional conservatives) state to have a ruling class?
they are comfortable with hierarchy, reflecting the elitist society they endorse. They implicitly acknowledge the ruling class.
Traditional Conservatives were keen to signal the merits of a class that was born and trained to rule the state (mindful of their responsibilities to society). Therefore, the state would avoid social upheaval while maintaining traditional patterns of wealth.
Why does Hobbes disagree on the idea of organic origins for a state
he was committed to the idea of ‘government by consent’ and a state can be created ‘rationally’
What is a nation-state?
The nation is seen as a mega community, one that enfolded all classes and so provided a natural basis for a state. The state is seen as an expression of nation identity, hence the importance on presidents and monarchy
How do new rights feel about the nation state?
they want to strengthen the nation state by ‘rolling back the frontiers’. This is because, if the nation state is burdened by nationalized industries and welfare states, its harder for them to focus on its true purpose of order and security
What do Conservatives believe about the economy?
Capitalism nurtures inequality and hierarchy and so Conservative economics have a pro-capitalist flavor.
In support of laissez-faire economics
What do traditional conservatives believe about capitalism?
They are sometimes labeled as reluctant supporters of capitalism because capitalism promotes risk and instability, while they like stability. While, they understand any attack on capitalism is an attack on property, inequality and hierarchy, they are unsure if the markets are most effective when left alone by governments, because that requires an optimistic view of market forces. They have solved this dilemma by supporting moderated capitalism: protectionism through tariffs and duties. They have been more recently drawn to Keynesian economics.
What is protectionism consistent with?
emphasis on a national identity
What is the new right’s view on the economy?
They are more supportive of the free market economy and so support privatisation
How does the New Right’s view on the economy compliment traditional conservatism?
By disengaging from the economy, the new right believe the state can focus on its true purpose of security. Similarly, they believe the free market will be a prosperous one, which might promote popular capitalism, but also it would fund greater state spending on the police, army and essentials to defend a conservative society
