Core Ideas and Principles of Conservatism

Question 1

What is Thomas Hobbes’ social contract theory? How does this reflect conservatism? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 1

Hobbes’ social contract theory revolves around the existence of a strong state to avert a ‘nasty, brutish and short’ existence under his state of nature. Hobbes believed a strong power would keep people orderly and considerate.

Question 2

What is conservatism? Is it an ideology? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 2

Conservatism is arguably not a system of beliefs or ideas on how something should be done, rather a defence of the status quo. It is the resistance to change to preserve existing systems.

Question 3

What are the 5 key themes of Conservatism? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 3

Conservatism revolves around tradition, human imperfection, organic society, hierarchy and authority and property.

Question 4

Why is tradition a crucial component of conservatism? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 4

Tradition is a key component of conservatism as humans require guidance and security to avert selfish tendencies as part of their human nature. Key institutions which have stood the test of time can provide stability.

Question 5

What 3 facets make up the conservative belief in human imperfection? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 5

The conservative belief in human imperfection is grounded in beliefs in psychological imperfection, moral imperfection and intellectual imperfection.

Question 6

Explain the conservative belief in psychological imperfection and its impacts - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 6

Humans are psychologically imperfect due to a fear of instability and isolation. This leads to them seeking order and strong power to maintain stability.

Question 7

Explain the conservative belief in moral imperfection and its impacts - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 7

Humans are morally imperfect due to their inherent original sin (as part of Christian beliefs) and their selfish human nature.

Question 8

Explain the conservative belief in intellectual imperfection and its impacts - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 8

Humans lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions, leading them to require strong leaders to do this for them.

Question 9

Outline the conservative belief in organic society and its importance - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 9

Conservatives believe that society develops organically and cannot be engineered, with each group of society having a specific purpose. Inequality develops naturally and should not be altered.

Question 10

Outline the conservative belief of empiricism and its importance in relation to society - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 10

Empiricism is the belief in using only trusted and tested forms of change based on evidence. Takes society as it is rather than sees it through dogmatic ideology.

Question 11

Outline the conservative belief in a social hierarchy and its importance in relation to society - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 11

A social hierarchy is desired in order to reward and maintain privileges. In a hierarchy, everyone knows their place and their role, with paternalistic attitudes taken by those at the top of society towards those at the bottom. Limited social mobility allows a secure and ordered society between generations.

Question 12

Outline the conservative belief in Judeo-Christian morality in relation to society - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 12

Conservatives believe that religion (especially the Old Testament) can provide a moral basis upon which our lives should operate. Based around family, tradition, marriage and responsibility. Preserves moral integrity of society.

Question 13

Outline the conservative belief in localism and its importance to society - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 13

Conservatives such as Burke believe localism creates security between individuals, rather than an atomised existence. Prevents a centralised state and creates smaller communities within which people can co-operate and coexist.

Question 14

Outline the conservative belief in property and its importance in relation to society - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 14

Conservatives believe that property is a natural and inviolable right, with this inherited from previous generations, creating stability in an imperfect world. Property provides people with a tangible investment in society and the inheritance of this can prolong tradition too.

Question 15

Outline the conservative view of inequality and hierarchy - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 15

Conservatives believe that inequality in society is deep rooted, and that those at the top of a hierarchy have the right and duty to impose authority upon those below.

Question 16

Outline the conservative belief in the noblesse obligé/paternalism - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 16

Conservatives argue that those at the top of society, as a result of their natural position of power and authority, have a responsibility to govern paternalistically and benevolently towards those below them.

Question 17

What does the term ‘functionalism’ mean in relation to conservative beliefs? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 17

‘Functionalism’ refers to the fact that institutions of importance to society have survived and thrived due to their importance and significance to wider society.

Question 18

What is the importance of property to a conservative in determining behaviour? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 18

Property is important to conservatives due to its ability to ensure that people are respectful of each other’s possessions if they own it themselves. It can also allow self-realisation, as the ownership of property can display personality or motivate people to own property.

Question 19

How does the conservative belief in organicism also link to the state? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 19

Conservatives believe that the state has developed organically rather than been manufactured, as this will reflect the needs of society. This is opposed to the view that the state should be created based on ideals and a contract between the government and the governed.

Question 20

What do conservatives believe to be the role of the state? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 20

Conservatives believe the state to be a disciplinary and authoritarian instrument, rooted in a strong central authority backed by laws.

Question 21

How does the European and American idea of nationhood link to conservatism? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 21

Following the expansion of the franchise and a recognition that a more paternalistic approach was needed from conservatives, the idea of the nation was used as an idea to bind society’s groupings together and create a cooperative community.

Question 22

What reasoning may there be behind the usual conservative attraction to capitalism as an economic approach? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 22

Capitalism is an attractive proposition to conservative economists due to its ability to create economic inequality and wealth. This is usually in the form of laissez-faire capitalism under conservative governments.

Question 23

Why have some conservatives been cautious with regards to laissez-faire capitalism? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 23

Laissez-faire capitalism is in itself a volatile and unpredictable economic policy more associated with liberalism, with this meaning that some conservatives have been fearful of the instability as a result of it.

Question 24

How have conservatives fearful of free-markets intervened in these markets? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 24

Conservatives cautious of laissez-faire economics have taken to imposing moderate tariffs on goods going to other countries through a ‘protectionist’ approach.

Question 25

When did laissez-faire economics later rise within conservatism following a more reserved economic approach? - Core Ideas and Principles

Answer 25

Laissez-faire economics was reverted to under the neo-liberal movement of the 1940s to the present day, with this influencing governments in the 1970s and 80s particularly.