Conservatism - Different types - final Flashcards
What are the 2 types of conservatism?
- Traditional conservatism
- New Right Conservatism
What are the origins of traditional conservatism?
A reaction to the French Revolution.
What was the French Revolution seen as by Burke?
A threat to established notions of state and society.
What is the core conservative belief?
We must change to conserve.
How did Tory governments of the early nineteenth century seek to avert the spread of revolutionary ideas?
By embracing moderate reform in the interest of continuity.
What moderate reform did Tory prime minister George Canning implement to avoid radical change?
He prepared legislation to allow Roman Catholics to sit in Parliament.
Why did Peel and the Tories support the Great Reform Act of 1832?
To harness the interests of the new merchant and business classes to Britain’s traditional constitution and society - an example of changing to conserve.
When was Robert Peel prime minister?
1834-35
1841-46
When was Robert Peel Home Secretary?
1828-30
What did Robert Peel do as Home Secretary?
He created the Metropolitan Police Force in London, and led to similar forces being created around the country.
What was Robert Peel’s justification for the creation of the Metropolitan Police?
“without security there can be no liberty”
What was nationalism and patriotism associated with originally?
Anti-imperialism and anti-monarchy - the French Revolution was considered a ‘patriotic’ movement.
What did one-nation conservatives like Disraeli and Bismarck argue about social classes?
That they were all members of one national ‘family’.
What did revolutionary politics represent according to Disraeli and Bismarck?
An attack on the nation itself since they fostered class difference rather than unity.
What is one-nation conservatism?
A belief that conservatism should prioritise national unity by attending to the condition of societies poorer classes.
What did Disraeli believe the aristocracy had?
A paternalistic duty to “elevate the condition of the people” (Disraeli’s words).
What did Disraeli say with regards to class harmony?
“The palace is not safe when the cottage is not happy”
How did traditional conservatives view individualism?
As a threat to the nation.
Why was individualism opposed by traditional conservatives?
Because it was opposed to the idea of one national ‘family’.
What did one-nation conservatives advocate in order to improve the conditions of the worst off in society?
Greater state intervention and social reform.
What distinguishes one-nation conservatism from traditional liberalism?
They favoured a larger state to help the worst off in society whereas classical liberals favoured a minimal state and laissez faire economics.
What did Bismarck do as chancellor of Germany that confirmed traditional conservatism’s ambivalent attitude towards free-market capitalism?
- Created the first welfare state, providing workers with state insurance against sickness and accident.
- Imposed tariffs and import controls.
What did post-war conservatives say in response to criticisms that they were being opportunistic in agreeing to democratic socialist and liberal reforms, such as a welfare state and nationalised industries?
They claimed to be evolving and updating their expressions of one-nation conservatism.
Why did traditional conservatism develop differently in Europe than in UK after the war?
European nations felt the effect of fascism much more acutely.
