Conservatism ideology

Question 1

The Enlightenment mid-17th century

Answer 1

Coincided with the English Civil War

Defined by a belief in reason rather than faith

Turning away from the assumption that a King/Queen had been put in place by God- decisions should be instinctively accepted

Question 2

Origins

Answer 2

The period historians have termed ‘the Whig supremacy’

Early liberal politicians, such as those found in the Whig Party, were confident that the progressive principles embodied by England’s Glorious Revolution 1689 and America’s Declaration of Independence 1776 were intellectually unquestionable and politically irresistible.

Any critique of Enlightenment seemed rooted in outdated, theocratic thinking (divine right of kings)

Question 3

The French Revolution

Answer 3

1789
Seemed to vindicate the optimistic spirit of Enlightenment.

The overthrow of the French monarchy

Rejection of the ‘irrational’ religious assumptions that went with it

Creation of a new Republic founded on liberty, equality, fraternity

All were greeted by European intellectuals, thrilled that a huge continental power was embracing the ideas of Enlightenment philosophers

Question 4

The Terror

Answer 4

1792

Clear that revolutionary change and the ruthless imposition of ‘reason’ and other Enlightenment ideals could have shocking consequences.

The public beheading of King Louis XVI was accompanied by what became known as ‘The Terror’ – a period when thousands of ‘citizens’ were persecuted and executed in the name of progress.

Genocidal violence became the means of securing an ‘enlightened’ regime.

The savagery of the French Revolution paved the way for a new sort of political ideology – one that would respect the case for change while warning of its dangers.

Question 5

Society core

Answer 5

Localism- a collection of communities rather than individuals.

Organicism- emerges gradually not forced, proof that human life is subject to complex forces beyond the scope of reason.

Empiricism- deal with society’s issues in a practical, evidence-based fashion

Tradition- provides security, history and experience
and stability.

Hierarchy- always be inequality, the top has a responsibility that comes with their power and authority

Judaeo-Christian Morality- ethical guideline for society, with a strong emphasis upon marriage, self-contained families and accountability.

Property- inherited from generation rather than acquired by autonomous individuals, gives a stake in society, New Right wished to extend property ownership

Question 6

Human Nature- core

Answer 6

Inclined to restrain such optimism by stressing human fragility and fallibility

‘a philosophy of imperfection’

Deny any possibility of a perfect, utopian society comprising flawless and rational individuals

Pretty much fixed and constant, and it is the job of politicians to accommodate, not alter, this reality

Ruthlessly selfish, calculating and competitive

Question 7

The economy- core

Answer 7

Capitalism tends to nurture and widen economic inequalities and sharpen the distinction between rich and poor.

Defends inequality and hierarchy

Burke was a huge ally of Adam Smith (father of laissez-faire economics)

Contradiction
Worships order, stability, and continuity but free-market capitalism promotes risk, innovation and gambles

The dynamic nature of capitalism might excite liberals-optimistic view of HN

However, it can be quite frightening for conservatives, given their more sceptical view of HN and their fear of radical change.

Question 8

Traditional Conservatives economy

Answer 8

‘reluctant supporters’.

Any assault on capitalism is also an assault on property, inequality, hierarchy and the status quo.

Sceptical of the classical liberal belief that markets are at their most effective when left alone by gov

Supporting laissez-faire capitalism requires an optimistic view of market forces, and therefore is inconsistent with conservatism’s scepticism and pessimism

Question 9

Thatcherism economy

Answer 9

Also, New Right conservatism in the UK.

Pursued a controversial mixture of neo-liberal policies: Privatisation and tax reduction.

Mixed with neo-conservatism policies: strengthened the police powers, curbed immigration and tax breaks for ‘traditional’ family structures.

Question 10

New Right Conservatives’ economy

Answer 10

Influenced by neoliberal economists e.g. Friedman and Hayek

Generally had a more sympathetic view of free-market economies.

In the USA during the 1980s, free-market capitalism was often referred to as ‘Reaganomics’ because of the Republican administration of Ronald Reagan from 1980-88

The New Right govs of Thatcher from 1979-90 aimed to ‘free’ the UK economy through the privatisation of formerly state-owned industries.

Question 11

The state-core

Answer 11

Order and authority- main goal, undisputed laws backed by firm authority for order allowing liberty, the state precedes society, independent rights depend upon law+order

Organic origins- sceptical of states formed from a rational discussion, based on ideals rather than reality, forms gradually, pragmatic response to human needs, don’t demand a codified constitution

A ruling class- happy with overtly hierarchal rule reflecting the elitist society, acknowledges a ruling class, born and trained to rule (paternalism), pragmatic response, avert social upheaval and revolution, stick to tradition

The nation-state- nationhood, a mega-community, Continental conservatives (Italy)- the nation preceded the state and are distinguishable, British and American are more intertwined- the state serves to define much of the nation itself hence the importance of constitutions, monarchs and presidents as expressions of identity.

Question 12

Traditional Conservatism

Answer 12

Formed after the aftermath of the French Revolution 1789

Whig politician Burke offered the 1st philosophically coherent objection to what the French Revolution represented

Question 13

Tories

Answer 13

William Pitt, George Canning and Robert Peel- essentially conservative in their political practice

Question 14

‘Enlightened Tory’ Govs

Answer 14

Canning- prepared legislation that allowed Roman Catholics to participate in Parliament, championed the abolition of slavery

Peel- sought to harness the interests of the new merchant business classes in Britain’s traditional constitution and society, supported the Great Reform Act of 1832 ensuring representation at Westminster for the new industrial towns, and established the Met Police force in London whilst Home Secretary- led to the creation of similar forces throughout the country

Question 15

The emergence of One Nation

Answer 15

Although the govs of Canning and Peel served to set, the effects of the French Revolution, the threat of disorder and revolution persisted throughout the 19th century- fuelled by louder demands for greater democracy (and less aristocracy)

Question 16

‘One Nation’ Conservatism

Answer 16

Sensing Socialism was a new grave threat to stability and tradition, conservatives like Disraeli and Bismark understood the case for orderly change would need to be refined.

They were aware that to ensure social cohesion and orderly change, new themes were needed to offset the class-conscious politics encouraged by early Socialists.

The importance of the Nation emerged.

This was ironic because, until the 19th century, Nationalism has been associated with anti-imperialism (Empires) and anti-monarchism.

Until the mid-late 19th century, ‘the nation’ was seen as anything but a conservative concept.

Disraeli and Bismark, however, understood Nationalism’s conservative potential.

Disraeli embraced class differences – but in a way that 
fostered unity rather than separation.

Disraeli and Bismark argued that a society’s classes were all members of the same national ‘family’ and that revolutionary politics represented an attack on the nation.

Disraeli argued that the nation’s aristocracy had a paternal duty to “elevate the condition of the people.”

Once this obligation was recognised by all classes, Disraeli asserted that social and political progress could be achieved harmoniously without the horrors of class war and revolution.

Question 17

Examples of one-nation conservatism in action

Answer 17

England – the Factory Act 1874 and the Artisan Dwellings Act 1875 restricted the freedom of factory owners and landlords.

Germany 1871-to 1890 – the first welfare state was established, providing German workers with state-backed insurance over sickness, accidents and poverty in old age.

Question 18

Fascism

Answer 18

A revolutionary ideology which emerged in Europe during the 1920s and 1930s, finding its most devastating expression in the politics of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Benito Mussolini’s nationalist politics in Italy.

Because of its nationalistic and nostalgic character, it is sometimes seen as a form of ‘ultra-conservatism’.

Yet its belief in radical and immediate change, its hatred for traditional institutions and local diversity and its glorification of dictatorship also make it disgusting to traditional conservatives.

Question 19

Egalitarianism

Answer 19

Believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Question 20

Keynesian Economics

Answer 20

Based on the work of liberal economist, John Maynard Keynes

Involves the state managing market forces so as to ensure steady growth and full employment.

Question 21

New Right- An American export

Answer 21

bghbhbsdkdsbj

Question 22

The crisis of traditional Conservatism

Answer 22

sjgkj

Question 23

New Right Conservatism- A two-dimensional doctrine (neo-liberals)

Answer 23

jfbgao

Question 24

New Right Conservatism- A two-dimensional doctrine (neo-conservatism)

Answer 24

dfjg

Question 25

Human nature’s key tensions

Answer 25

fnwej

Question 26

Society key tensions

Answer 26

gdh

Question 27

The state key tensions

Answer 27

gjjb

Question 28

The economy key tensions

Answer 28

jffffb