conservatism essay plan- united ideology

Question 1

intro

Answer 1

. 4 strands- neoliberal, neo-conservative, one nation, traditional
. more disagreements> incoherent- rarely agree on key political ideas (human nature, state, economy)

Question 2

para 1- theme of human nature- agreements

Answer 2

. shared flawed + negative view on HN
. traditional + Neo-conservative= humans are evil + selfish, both draw on the Bible + moral teachings of good + evil
-evidenced by Hobbes- life in the state of HN would be “nasty, brutish and short”- Leviathan
. one nation- humans are flawed
-eg. Oakeshott- life in the state of human nature is “noisy, foolish and flawed”

Question 3

para 1- theme of human nature- disagreements

Answer 3

. Burke + Oakeshott agree with Hobbes’ idea of human imperfection but believe that society can be used to lessen human imperfection, but Hobbes believes there is no way to change HN
. neo- liberal- humans can be rational + act in their own self-interests
-eg. Rand believes for this reason that humans should be free from state interference + left alone
-she rejects human imperfection- “man must be the beneficiary of his own moral actions”> rational
. positive view> reject paternalism- individual responsibility + personal initiative
-atomic individualism- humans can be selfish but are rational so can make own decisions to serve self-interests
-eg. Nozick believes humans should not be used as resources against their will as they are rational> his idea of self-ownership- individuals have ownership over their own bodies, ability + labour> not used as slaves
>incoherent

Question 4

para 2- theme of economy- agreements

Answer 4

. all strands believe that a capitalistic economic system widens inequality between classes due to the natural hierarchy it creates
. traditional + ON believe that the economy should not be the main focus
- prioritise a strong state, stability + order
- eg. Hobbes- as HN is flawed, the state must enforce law +order- life without this is “nasty, brutish + short”
- neo-conservatives also agree

Question 5

para 2- theme of economy- disagreements

Answer 5

. neoliberals agree economy should be main focus
. new right disagreements:
. neo-liberals- a free market economy will generate wealth
-eg. Rand- free markets with limited state intervention respects the individual’s rational pursuit of self-interest
-less gov help> more efficient economy + individual freedom> reject paternalism
. neo-conservatives- pragmatic> believe that paternalism in necessary
-react to the economic situation, rather than using ideology + principles
-eg. neo-conservatives agreed to state intervention in the 2008 economic crisis
>incoherent

Question 6

para 3- theme of state- agreements

Answer 6

. traditional, ON + neo-conservatives believe in a strong state
-eg. Hobbes believes the gov exists to provide security + order
-eg. Oakeshott- believed the state is required to keep the ship of society afloat

Question 7

para 3- theme of state- disagreements

Answer 7

. ON agree with Disraeli> believe in a larger state to preserve social order through more state intervention
-eg. Oakeshott believed in a greater influence of the state to maintain social order
. neo-liberals believe in a small state- reduce state intervention as it restricts economic growth
- reduce state’s welfare role as it encourages dependency
-eg. Nozick + Rand- minimal state- the state must be limited to preserve individual liberty + protect negative freedom, which a large state threatens
- reject paternalism- believe in personal initiative + individual responsibility
. ON agree with Disraeli- encourage paternalism so the poor are looked after
-eg. Michael Gove claimed David Cameron was a “compassionate conservative”, conforming to the idea of a paternalistic state
>in cohesive