Conservativism Flashcards

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1
Q

Key Conservativism Idea: Pragmatism & Rejection of Utopia

A

Pragmatism - Practical and easily achievable ideas, not too difficult to obtain. It rejects ideology in theory and favours decisions made through experience and what ‘works.’ A flexible approach

Rejection of Utopia - Utopia is a state of perfection with no issues. Absolutely no crime, absolute equality etc. Therefore, they reject it because it is unachievable. They worry it may backfire and become way worse than it was before.

Change to conserve

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2
Q

Key Conservativism Idea: Tradition and Status Quo

A

Traditions become traditions by being here for a long period of time, therefore working.

Why can they not continue to work? Why change if it might risk being worse?

If we are not in chaos we should keep what we have (status quo) unless its fundamentally failing.

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3
Q

Key Conservativism Idea: Social Order

A

Keeping society functioning properly and efficiently. Obeying law, participating in society and obeying authority.

Conservatives believe we need a hierarchy to have social order.

They prioritise social order and authority because you believe social nature is inherently bad and hierarchy is needed to keep order.

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4
Q

Key Conservativism Idea: Hierarchy

A

Having smaller groups of people making important decisions instead of everyone being involved.

Necessary for social order as we are inherently bad

Some people obtain more power and this gives motivations to move up the ladder.

Other ideologies disregard hierarchy as necessary for social order because they believe it will happen based on good human nature.

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5
Q

Key Conservativism Idea: Authority

A

Legitimately holding power

Conservatives believe this relies on consent.

You give consent to authoruty and they make rules on your behalf and you must abide by them as their authority is legitimate.

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6
Q

Key Conservativism Idea: Paternalism

A

A concentration of power in authority

Authority comes from being older, wiser and more experienced.

Conservatives believes in the qualities that are normally found in men/fathers such as leadership, discipline and authority.

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7
Q

Key Conservativism Idea: Organic State or society

A

The conservative perspective upon society stems from their support of evolutionary change.

They view society as an organism that emerges and evolves gradually over time in order to meet the needs of its members.

Society is a natural thing that humans are part of and cannot be separated from.

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8
Q

Key Conservativism Idea

Burke

‘Change to Conserve’

A

Conservativism argues that society should adapt to changing circumstances rather than reject change outright which risks revolution or rebellion.

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9
Q

Key Ideology idea:

State of Nature

A

The hypothetical life of people before societies came into existence.

Imagining the time before organised societies and civilisation allows us to question what is true human nature and what is cultural conditioning.

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10
Q

Arguments in favour of tradition

A

Human Nature - Tradition provides humans who are weak and security seeking with a social framework to make sense of society and their place in it

Society - Long established institutions, customs and practices give communities nd nations a strong sense of identity that eencourages social cohesion.

the state - tradition= accumulated wisdom of the past. State institutions that have proved fit for purposeover time should be preserved for the benefit of future generations.

Economy - capitalist system has been proved as best system

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11
Q

Arguments in favour of Pragmatism

A

Human Nature: Humans lack the intellectual ability to fully understand the complex realities of the world. Theories that claim to explain or improve human condition could be destabilising

Society - ideas such as equality or rights are dangerous because they can lead to radical change which could produce worse conditions

The state - Pragmatic approach emphasises caution, moderation, gradualism and continuity will introduce necessary change without endangering social cohesion or stability.

The economy - One nation conservatives

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12
Q

Key Conservativism Idea: 3 aspects of Human Imperfection

A

Humans are flawed, unchanging and incapable of perfection. Everyone has a capacity for evil.

  1. Psychological - Humans desire the familiarity and security of knowing their place in society. Social order>Liberty
  2. Moral - Humans are naturally selfish beings and morally imperfect. Tough law and order system is necessary
  3. Intellectual - humans lack intellect to understand complex world, instead of trying to understand or predict human development we should rely on history and tradition to understand the world.
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13
Q

Pragmatism: Traditional and One Nation Approaches

A

Traditional(Burke) - argues that cautious pragmatism enables society to adapt to changing circumstances by introducing moderate reforms instead of revolutionary change. Change to conserve

One Nation Conservatives - Adopt a pragmatic ‘middle way’ economic policy that combines market competition with government regulation. They argue this promotes growth and social stability by creating wealth through private sector and generating funding for state welfare provisions

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14
Q

Due to the weakness of human nature. Conservatives argue that….

regarding. ..
1. The state
2. Society
3. The Economy

A
  1. The State - has to impose tough law and order policies to deter expected criminal behaviour. Pursure foreign policies based on national security not cooperation and harmony.
  2. Society - has to be basd on authority, hierarchy and paternalism in order to provide people with stability and security.
  3. The economy - Based on capitalism as a more powerful motivator than altruism since humans are self interested.
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15
Q

Key Thinker: Thomas Hobbes

Human Nature

A

Humans are moral vaccuums

Believes we are massively rational but that rationality leads to violent conflict in the state of nature.

He believes in the state of nature we would dissolve into violence because:

  1. Everyone is needy and vulnerable at some point
  2. Everyone is Equal and Diffident (cautious)
  3. Therefore, anyone has the ability to kill anyone
  4. Because of this and the fact we all want the same things but can’t have them all, we preemptively attack everyone else in order to protect ourselves.
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16
Q

Key Thinker: Thomas Hobbes

the State

A

State should be very powerful, however tyrannical to keep us from going back to the State of Nature as that is far worse

Believes in a state but only based on a social contract.

Once the contract is made it can’t be revoked.

There is no right to resistance (other than right not to be killed by sovereign)

The ruler is outside the contract, they are not limited or bound by the contract.

Gov necessary for strong and stable economy

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17
Q

Key Thinker: Thomas Hobbes

Society

A

We are all equal, if we werent equal and others were weaker then we would’t feel the need to attack others as we wouldnt be worried about their threat to us.

Ordered Society - an ordered society should balance the human need for a free life.

The existence of a state allows us to develop cultural pleasures as we are not fighting

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18
Q

Key Thinker: Edmund Burke

Background and what he thought generally

A

He thought the French rev was a step backwards beacuse it went against tradition.

  1. Defence of Liberty
  2. Defence of the Rights of Defence against illegitimate governments

He defends authority in response to revolution but authority must be legitimate, so supported by popular consent and tradition

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19
Q

Key Thinker: Edmund Burke

Role of the state in the economy

Summary Quote

A

Laissez-Faire Economy

It will be more productive without intervention

The supply and demand will regulate it (contrasts Hobbes)

“They who wish the destruction of that balance[…]directly lay their axe in the root of production itself.”

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20
Q

Distinction between Hobbes and Burke regarding Rationality

A

Hobbes believed in Individual Rationality

while

Burke believed in collective rationality

Burke: Habits and customs do the work of a powerful, punishing state and so replaces need for a strong gov.

Hobbes: need strong Gov

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21
Q

Key Thinker: Edmund Burke

Rationality and habits

Contrast to Hobbes

A

Burke - almost a utilitarian position. Habits are not a lack of rationality but actually a use of rationality over a long period of time.

Every action a human takes may not produce the most utility but over a long run, forming habits it will produce the best social outcome, although maybe not individual.

For Hobbes, Humans are self centered and rational so just seeking out what is best for them.

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22
Q

Key Thinker: Edmund Burke

Define Collective rationality

A

We have collectively unconsiously decided what is good and therefore what becomes tradition/habit.

Societies have more rationality than individuals

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23
Q

Key Thinker: Edmund Burke

Necessity of Honour

Contrast with Hobbes

A

Burke believes that the economy and society can only function with trust and respect of norms.

Honour is what builds contracts and agreements and what makes business and the economy functioning possible.

Hobbes: Humans are highly egotisticale and selfish and therefore the economy cannot be ran without Gov. Honour plays no part in it.

24
Q

Key Thinker: Edmund Burke

The idea of ‘community’

His theory of social contract

How those two points contract to Hobbes

A

Burke’s idea of the social contract completely contrasts Hobbes.

Hobbes says people should bey the law because they consented to it.

Burke says they were born into a society where they are indebted to a community which is much bigger than them.

For Burke the community is the main unit and the individual has loyalty to them.

Burke - Community > Individual

Hobbes Community < Individual

25
Q

Key Thinker: Edmund Burke

The state/authority and how this contrasts to Hobbes

A

Burke does not say that you need one single sovereign (which is what Hobbes argues)

Burke says that whatever authority you have is best because this will have evolved for your community.

But even if it is ideal for your community, it is not ideal for every individual or the whole of mankind.

26
Q

Key Thinker: Edmund Burke

Tradition and its affect on economy and society

A
  • Hierarchy and class systems are tradition and we should not priviledge our own viewpoints over the what previous generations have determined.
  • Laissez Faire Economy - hasnt failed us so we should protect for future generations
27
Q

Key Thinker: Edmund Burke

On Rights

A

Criticial of the idea that we have rights just by being human (Natural rights)

We only have rights as part of a community, thats where we get our rights from

28
Q

Key Thinker: Michael Oakeshott

Main Distinction

Enterprise v Civil Association

(ways to organise society)

A

Enterprise Association (Critcised by Oakeshott) - When the state has one common goal/specific, rigid idea of what is good and they encourage everyone to pursure/achieve that by intervention.

Civil Association (backed by Oakeshott) - State create laws to keep order but they dont tell you what to aim for. A set of rules that you must act within but you can aim for whatever “state of good” you desire.

29
Q

Key Thinker: Michael Oakeshott

Human Nature

A

Humans are falliable and imperfect but we do aim for good things so therefore we are good beings. (Distinction with Hobbes who thinks we are intrinsically bad)

Humans prefer certainty and familiarity and that will always be the status quo. (Burke and Oakeshott agree)

Humans prefer the familiar to the unfamiliar

30
Q

Key Thinker: Michael Oakeshott

The Economy

A

Because of his big emphasis on pragmatism and familiarity he is not as free market as Burke.

He is a free market economist (not a communist) but Oakeshott is willing accept some state intervention in order to keep the economy stable

31
Q

Key Thinker: Michael Oakeshott

Society

A

We shouldn’t be treating politics as a special part of society. We shouldnt elevate or seperate Politics as a social activity

It is just the same as any other activity

No one should be forced to participate further than bare minimum standards

Society is made up of lots of parts, family, sport, politics etc. Socialists may say politics is most important but Oakeshott disagrees.

32
Q

Key thinker: Michael Oakeshott

Quote about Oakeshott’s view of Politics

(Not a direct Oakeshott quote)

A

“The activity of the music hall entertainer is no less connected than that of the prime minister”

33
Q

Distinction between Burke and Oakeshott on

tradition

A

Burke - We should keep tradition for the sake of the future generations as they have a right to stability etc.

Oakeshott - tradition because of pragmatism

34
Q

Key thinker: Ayn Rand

Objectivism

A

Rational self interest is a virtue. The pursuit of self interest is morally right.

She says humans are always out to achieve their self interest. which is what she says is happening.

We must accept the world as is, embracing the inequalities.

35
Q

Key thinker: Ayn Rand

Society

A

Humans should just take society the way that it is and we should accept that reality.

We can improve it in line with the ‘normative dimension’ (ought) of how we think it should be.

Individualistic society, we have no obligations towards society. We should be focused on ourselves and nothing else.

Very elitist - virtuous/heroes on the top and lazy non virtous people on the bottom.

36
Q

Key thinker: Ayn Rand

Human Nature

A

Human nature - self interested and selfish for individual happiness.

Some humans are especially virtuous and heroic and can undertake special tasks eg. entrepeneur

intensely meritocratic

37
Q

Key thinker: Ayn Rand

Definition of selfishness

A

Doesn’t mean exploiting others for your gain but

realising your highest potential by pursuing rational ends

and living in harmony with others by respecting their right to their own happiness.

A life of reason and purpose

38
Q

Key thinker: Ayn Rand

The state

A

Against any form of state control or intervention, it is always wrong - stealing.

It is only ever right if an individual has consented to that one act of state control for the benefit of society eg Police

39
Q

Key thinker: Ayn Rand

State intervention in the economy and the economy itself

A

No state intervention in the economy as it needs to add incentive and reward to people

‘The American dream’

State intervention is stealing

Especially hates if the fruits of virtuous’ people’s labour is spread among the non-virtuous lazy people.

Pure Laissez faire Economy

40
Q

Key thinker: Ayn Rand

Critique of Altruism

A

Altruism is a policy of caring for others, selflessness.

Rand says that it is negative because it is not self interested.

It does a disservice to non-virtuous people as it doesnt allow them to develop virtue or achieve the american dream

41
Q

Key thinker: Robert Nozick

His theory

A

His theory of _Distributive Justice (_the social allocation of resources)

If the historical process of transfer or aquisition is just/fair each time, it doesnt matter if the end state is unequal it is a fair transfer because each individual one was fair.

If adults consent to each transfer then it is just and later on can be held as just.

if they dont consent then its unjust but they will be reimbursed in the future

42
Q

Key thinker: Robert Nozick

State and state intervention in economy

A

Extremely minimal state

Any form of taxation or intervention is theft.

Everything should be privatised (other than police, national security which should be an optional subscription policy)

43
Q

Key Thinker: Robert Nozick

what are Pattern Principles of distribution?

Nozick’s opinion on them

A

When there is a set rule about the distribution. Eg the Rich can only earn x and poor get at least y

Nozick thinks the state should not get involved and even if the outcome is massive inequality that is fine.

Therefore Pattern principles of distribution are wrong.

They suggest the individual is violable and inferior to society.

44
Q

Key Thinker: Robert Nozick

Liberty and individuality

A

Up to you whether you give your money away, charity is fine if its consensual - its your liberty.

(contrast here with Rand who believes charity is immoral)

Individual is inviolable and supreme

45
Q

Key Thinker: Robert Nozick

Human Nature

A

Individualistic

Libertarianism - right to our lives and the rewards of our labour.

Big on natural rights

Our main natural rights as humans is to be free from cohersion.

Taxation = cohersion

46
Q

Key Thinker: Robert Nozick

Big problem with Nozick’s theory

A

Doesn’t take into account third party transactions

eg people pay for bread, the baker gets more rich and powerful.

They are now more powerul than people that didnt buy bread

47
Q

One Nation Conservativism

General points

A
  • Emphasis on patriotism and pride in one’s country
  • Attempt to include the rich and the poor, trying to get all classes to vote tory
  • Played on working class patriotism
  • On topics such as immigration, they believe immigrating is an application to join and love the nation.
48
Q

Neo Conservativism

General points

A

Big emphasis on foreign policy and military defence

Big ephasis on US supremacy and world dominance

strong economy

No regard for pluralism - Promoting American ideals globally. Want other Govs to be stable and democratic so they are less likely to attack.

social order and strict on crime

traditional values

49
Q

Similarity between Hobbes and Neocons

A

Like Hobbes, Neocons also always think that others are going to attack them and thats why they have such defensive and militant regimes

50
Q

One Nation - Disraeli (Former PM)

A

Bringing together Rich and poor

Industrialisation led to division, and onenation is a way to fix the division

Reform Act 1867 - made it so that everyone (all men ofc) could vote and be involved in politics (Diraeli passed)

Noblesse-Oblige - obligation of the noble to help the poor - paternalism

Populism - appeal to ordinary people

51
Q

one nation

  1. Eg of an act Disraeli passed for the working class
  2. One nation tories today
A

Artisans’ and Labourers’ Dwellings Improvement Act of 1875 - approved cheap loans to build houses for working class.

David Cameron and Boris Johnson both class themselves as One nation tories.

2019 One Nation Group created to try and keep some of the new working class voters from 2019 GE.

52
Q

TWE do Conservatives agree that Authority is necessary for social order?

A

1. Consent as the basis for authority - Hobbes and Burke disagree.

Both want authority, both believe in a monarch. But Burke wants a monarch with limited powers. Hobbes’ sovereign has unlimited powers.

Difference: Social contract for Hobbes, partnership with past and future for Burke. People agreeing across tie for tradition. Supremacy of tradition more important than consent for Burke.

2. Scope of authority

Hobbes authority is unlimited

Oakeshott and Burke - middle

Nozick, Rand - no cohersive power

53
Q

Thinkers on Taxation for public goods

A
  • Burke, Hobbes and Oakeshott dont have fundamental issues with public goods tax.
  • Hobbes believes we are moral vacuums so an unlimted sovereign is necessary to keep us from state of nature.
  • Burke - collective rationality, society - communal police etc

However,

  • Nozick - state is minimal, institutions privatised, consensual subscription police, tax is theft.
  • Natural right to be free from cohersion
54
Q

Thinkers on tax for redistributive purposes

A
  • Disraeli wants to close the gap between the rich and the poor. - Reform Act, Many working class supported legislations, Noblesse-Oblige

On the other hand…

  • Rand - Critique of altruism, embrace objectivism and inequality.
  • Rand and Nozick disagree on charity but both agree on immorality of tax
  • Nozick, Distributive justice, Pattern Principles of Distribution,
  • Burke - taxation no, Oakeshott yes - but they have the same pragmatic, tradition ideals?
55
Q

What is the ‘new right’ split into and give an example of someone for each side

A

Neo liberalism - Calls for free market economy, minimal state and individual freedom. Nozick

Neo Conservativism - Modernised version of traditional conservative social thinking that emphasises social order, traditional values, public morality and international defence.

56
Q
A