Core ideas- Conservatism

Question 1

Conservatism background

Answer 1

-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)

Question 2

How did the tory party emerge

Answer 2

-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).

Question 3

Principles of Conservatism
(5)

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Tradition as a principle

Answer 4

-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

Question 5

Pragmatism as a principle

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Human imperfection as a principle

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

Paternalism as a principle

Answer 7

• 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.

Question 7

Organic society as a principle

Answer 7

-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

Question 8

Types of conservatism

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Traditional conservatism

Answer 9

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

Question 10

One Nation

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

New Right

Answer 11

• 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.

Question 12

Neo liberalism

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Tensions within conservatism

Answer 13

• Traditional vs One Nation
• One Nation vs New Right

Question 14

Traditional vs One Nation tensions

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

One Nation vs New Right tensions

Answer 15

• 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.

Question 16

Key conservative thinkers

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

Answer 17

• 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.

Question 18

Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What is Atomism in political theory?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What are the key ideas of Noblesse Oblige?

Answer 20

• 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.

Question 21

What does Anti-Permissiveness mean in political thought?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What is Empiricism in political theory?

Answer 22

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