conservatism ideas Flashcards
what are the main conservative principles?
pragmatism tradition organic society human imperfection paternalism libertarianism
what is pragmatism?
practical experience and precedent over ideology and theory
the past should be taken into account when making decisions in the present
rejects theory and ideology in favour of practical experience
what key thinkers are associated with pragmatism?
Burke
Oakeshott - ‘to be a conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried’
what is an example of pragmatism?
1951 once conservatives back in power, they made no attempt to reverse labours nationalisation of British industry of newly created welfare state because they were popular and had been working well
what is tradition?
refers to the institutions, customs and practices that have developed over time and become entrenched in society (e.g. the church, family and monarchy)
why do conservatives support tradition?
originally the say society’s institutions and practices as god-given so changing them would be challenging the will of God
also tradition fosters social cohesion and security, provides individuals with a sense of belonging
what is an example of conservatives supporting tradition?
conservative were opposed to labour’s constitutional changes in late 1990s, they said devolved assemblies and House of Lords reform would undermined constitutional stability of the UK
what key thinker is associated with tradition?
Burke says tradition constitutes the accumulated wisdom of the past
what is human imperfection?
a pessimistic view of human nature that humans are flawed making them incapable of making good decisions for themselves
what are the types of human imperfection?
psychological imperfection - peoples fear of insecurity and isolation
moral imperfection - people driven by selfishness and greed
intellectual imperfection - peoples inability to understand the world around them
what is an organic society?
humans are dependent and security seeking so cannot exist separately from society
humans accept the responsibilities that of with belonging to a society
based on the conservative belief of hierarchy and authority
what is organicism?
society is like a living organism, with all its parts working together in harmony to ensure that the body remains healthy
what is hierarchy?
there are different classes of people and inequality is normal
what is authority?
the upper class is best places to make decisions for all
authority comes naturally from above and rests on an accepted obligation from the below to obey
what is paternalism?
the idea of government by people who are best equipped to lead by virtue of their birth, inheritance and upbringing
what does Burke say about paternalism?
the natural aristocracy president over society and provide guidance and ensure security
the natural authority ‘know what is best’ for the rest of society
what is noblesse oblige?
the idea that those higher in society have a moral obligation to look after the rest of society
what is libertarianism?
emphasises the rights of individuals to liberty, advocating for minimal state intervention and maximum economic freedom.
what key thinker is associated with libertarianism?
Burke - advocated free trade and a market economy on the grounds that such arrangements were efficient, just and natural
what should be done in order to combat human imperfection?
- tough stance on law and order to deter criminal behaviour
- foreign policy should be based on national security not co-operation and harmony
- human behaviour is competitive so a political system should recognise that self-interest is a more powerful motivator than altruism
why are hierarchy and authority important for society?
the hierarchical structure of organic society is reinforced by authority which perform a vital and positive function, by providing humans with security, direction and support
what are the origins of paternalism?
Disraeli warned that Britain was dividing into two nations, the rich and the poor, which increased likelihood of revolution
this could be stopped by the privileged accepting their duty to look after the less fortunate
the well-off could preserve their advantage while strengthening social cohesion
how did one-nation conservative pursue paternalism?
conservative government in 1950s and 60s were a centre ground between free-market economics and state planning because the former led to social fragmentation while the latter stifled individual initiative
harold McMillan claimed this produced ‘private enterprise without selfishness’
what did Neo-liberals say about paternalism?
reject the idea of paternalism, because they aim to reduce the state so the unregulated market can generate a more efficient economy leading to increased growth
Neo-liberal faith in individualism challenges notions of paternalism, view welfare programmes negatively and producing dependency culture
