Core ideas- Conservatism Flashcards

1
Q

Conservatism background

A

-emerged during the enlightenment
-time of great social change
-“conserving” society was an idea brought by the French revolution
-‘Change to conserve’ was a core principle of Burke’s (rejected the enlightenment)

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2
Q

How did the tory party emerge

A

-after the Bill of Rights of 1689.
-These changes saw more powers of the monarch transferred to Parliament
-those that supported the monarch were the Tories (later the Conservative Party).

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3
Q

Principles of Conservatism
(5)

A

-Tradition
-Pragmatism
-human imperfection
-organic society
-paternalism

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4
Q

Tradition as a principle

A

-beliefs and customs that society has developed over time
-Tradition leads to social cohesion and security as people feel reassured in the society they are living in as it has worked for many generations before them
-Burke

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5
Q

Pragmatism as a principle

A
  • being practical.
  • Humans are unable to fully understand the complex world, and so ideas that try to explain how the world works are incorrect.
  • People should move away from ideology and towards a pragmatic approach to decisions.
  • pragmatism looks to tradition for what has worked in previous generations
    -Burke
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6
Q

Human imperfection as a principle

A
  • Humans are fundamentally flawed and incapable of understanding the world
  • People will therefore make poor decisions that benefit only themselves.
  • Society should make boundaries for this through a tough stance on law and order
    -Burke
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7
Q

Paternalism as a principle

A
  • The gov should be led by those best equipped to lead and make decisions. This may be through the family they were born into, the upbringing they had or the inheritance they gained.
  • one-nation conservatism builds on this idea and believe that paternalism instructs those with wealth to help the less fortunate in society.
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7
Q

Organic society as a principle

A

-Society functions like a living organism, all of its parts work together to maintain cohesion
- A hierarchy based on inequalities of skill, intellect ect
- Different groups have to perform different tasks within society for it to function fully.
-Burke

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8
Q

Types of conservatism

A

-Traditional conservatism
- one nation
- new right
- neo liberalism

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9
Q

Traditional conservatism

A

-emerged in the late 1700s in response to the French Revolution and Enlightenment.
- Burke
- organic society
- hierarchy
- gradual reform
- tradition

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10
Q

One Nation

A
  • emerged in the 1800s as a result of laissez-faire capitalism threatening the organic society and increased industrialization
  • Disraeli
  • government is responsible for every single citizen within a society, and laws govern everybody, hence ‘One Nation’.
  • tradition
  • imperialism
  • social reform
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11
Q

New Right

A
  • Margaret Thatcher in the 1970s
  • Radical: opposes social and economic intervention in people’s lives.
  • Traditional: family values, beliefs, etc.
  • Reactionary: economic freedom, individual moral responsibility.
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12
Q

Neo liberalism

A
  • advocates for a minimal state, individual freedom and a free market economy.
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13
Q

Tensions within conservatism

A
  • Traditional vs One Nation
  • One Nation vs New Right
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14
Q

Traditional vs One Nation tensions

A
  • disagree over the need for welfare.
  • Traditional conservatives see welfare as part of paternalism but would look away from state-centered welfare to allow capitalism to be free.
  • One nation conservatives would support welfare to help those less fortunate in society,
  • traditional see it as paternalism one nations see it as maintaining social order
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15
Q

One Nation vs New Right tensions

A
  • On welfare, one nation conservatives believe in expanding welfare to those need it. - New right believe in rolling back the state and leaving the responsibility with the individual with the state as a true last resort.
16
Q

Key conservative thinkers

A
  • Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
  • Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
17
Q

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

A
  • Hobbes’ most notable ideas revolve around the state and human nature.
  • Humans are needy and vulnerable. They compete violently to obtain necessities, ensure their safety and seek reputation.
  • Rational people would sacrifice their freedom for security. Government is therefore established by the consent of the people and preserves order and peace.
18
Q

Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

A
  • human imperfection and the importance of tradition within society.
  • supporter of change to conserve.
19
Q

What is Atomism in political theory?

A

The belief that society is made up of individuals, each pursuing their own interests.

20
Q

What are the key ideas of Noblesse Oblige?

A
  • those with wealth or privilege have a duty to help the less fortunate.
  • Tied to conservatism and social responsibility.
  • Emphasizes the moral obligation of the elite to act with generosity.
21
Q

What does Anti-Permissiveness mean in political thought?

A
  • Belief that society should uphold traditional moral values.
  • Rejection of liberal policies on drug use, abortion, and sexual freedom.
22
Q

What is Empiricism in political theory?

A
  • Knowledge comes from evidence, not abstract theory.
  • Emphasizes evidence-based policy decisions and practical, real-world outcomes.