conservatism differing views Flashcards
what are the key principles of traditional conservatism?
defend the established order in society based on a commitment to organicism, hierarchy and paternalism
society is a living entity and changes will have negative effects on all the other parts, when change is desirable it must happen through small pragmatic reforms
values institutions such as the family, church and monarch as they are held in place by tradition to maintain society united
what branches of conservatism advocate for a strong state?
traditional conservatism - to maintain order and protect private property
one-nation conservatism - to maintain order and provide welfare
what is natural aristocracy?
Burke said that the 'true natural aristocracy should govern' traditional conservatives defend this because: it is natural, upper class have been raised to govern based on paternalism and noblesse oblige
what caused the emergence of traditional conservatism?
originated as a reaction to the enlightenment and French Revolution
what caused the emergence of one-nation conservatism?
emerged in response to the development of laissez-faire capitalism and industrialisation
what is Disraeli’s analysis?
capitalism encouraged a self-interested individualism that threatened to split Britain into two nation, the rich and poor which would lead to class conflict and possible revolution
reforms needed to improve conditions for poorest in society in order to preserve the position of the upper classes
the wealthy had an obligation to help the poor, organic society dependen on the elites acceptance of social responsibility
what key thinker is associated with one-nation conservatism?
Harold macmillan - conservative prime minister ‘mixed system’ that combined “state ownership, regulation of economic activity with the drive and initiative of private enterprise”
what are one-nation conservatives ideas on the economy?
they support a mixed economy that combines private and state enterprise.
this provides welfare and maintains high employment
how did the new right come about?
arose as a rival to one-nation conservatism, founded on Neo-liberalism and Neo-conservatism
what branches of conservatism advocate for a limited state?
the new right - the state should only focus on defence, morality and order
what principles to all branches of conservatism agree on?
people are selfish and imperfect
the state needs to be strong on order, law and morality
pro private economy and enterprise
society is organic and greater that the sum of individuals within it
what are the features of the New Right?
radical - opposed economic and social intervention and adopts anti-permissiveness
traditional - family values, respect for authority
reactionary - regard the 19th century as a golden age of economic freedom and individual moral responsibility
what is anti-permissiveness?
the opposition to the idea that people should form their own morality
how is the new right a fusion between Neo-liberalism and Neo-conservatism?
neo-liberalism: atomism, laissez-fair capitalism, minimal state
Neo-conservatism: law and order, traditional values, common morality
what are the main branches of conservatism?
traditional conservatism
one-nation conservatism
the new right (Neo-liberalism/neo-conservatism)
why do traditional conservatives defend hierarchy in society?
- people don’t have the same abilities and energy so it is natural that society reflects this and equality is ‘artificial’
- people have different jobs and are rewarded differently depending on the contribution they make
what do traditional conservatives say about paternalism?
they advocate noblesse oblige, a form of ‘soft paternalism’
since other social groups within an organic society accept that the natural leaders are uniquely equipped to act in the best interests of all
one-nation conservatism in government
years after Second World War, adopted Keynesian economics to maintain high employment, accepted mixed economy and welfare state, Harold Mcmillan prime minister
David Cameron influenced by one-nation conservative, he argued for ‘compassionate conservatism’
what is Neo-liberalism?
a modernised version of classical liberalism, based on a commitment to the free-market economy, minimal state and individual freedom and responsibility
what is Neo-conservatism?
updated form of traditional conservatism, based on a commitment to order, traditional values and public morality
how did New Right influence government?
powerful influence in USA and UK where it became popularly associated with Ronal Reagan and Margaret Thatcher (Reaganism and Thatcherism)
