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Conservatism > Core Ideas/Principles > Flashcards

Core Ideas/Principles Flashcards

1
Q

PRAGMATISM

How does Michael Oakeshott summarise this concept?

A

‘To be a Conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried’

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2
Q

PRAGMATISM

What is the official definition of ‘pragmatism’?

A

rejects ideology and theory in favour of decisions made on the basis of practical experience and ‘what works’

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3
Q

PRAGMATISM

Why do traditional conservatives feel that ideas such as ‘classless society’ and ‘human right’s are dangerous?

A

they can promote a radical reordering of society

lead to worse rather than better conditions

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4
Q

PRAGMATISM

What approach does it have to politics?

A

flexible
what is in the best interests of the people, what is acceptable to the public and what will maintain social stability and cohesion

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5
Q

PRAGMATISM

What strands of conservatism are associated with pragmatism?

A

traditional and one-nation

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6
Q

PRAGMATISM

Why do conservatives prefer pragmatism (reference their view of human nature)?

A

they think humans lack the intellectual ability and powers of reasoning to fully comprehend the complex realities of the world

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7
Q

PRAGMATISM

How to conservatives try to avoid sticking to? How do they prefer to act?

A

rigid ideological approach to issues

prefer to act in a pragmatic way that emphasises caution, moderation and sense of historical continuity

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8
Q

PRAGMATISM

How is Edmund Burke (and traditional conservatives) related to this concept?

A

he argued that it was an essential element in facilitating ‘natural’/inevitable change (‘change to conserve’ policy)

‘a state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation’

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9
Q

PRAGMATISM

Why do traditional conservatives favour pragmatism over relvolution?

A

pragmatism brings about NECESSARY change peacefully and through evolution

the unbending pursuit of revolution or reaction leads to conflict and chaos.

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10
Q

PRAGMATISM

What to one nation conservatives think of pragmatism?

A

they hold similar attitudes to traditional conservatives

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11
Q

PRAGMATISM

Where haev one nation conservatives reently adopted a policy of prgamatism? Why?

A

pragmatic ‘middle way’ approach to the economy

combining market competition with government regulation

why - they argue that this moderate economic course promotes growth and social harmony. it promotes wealth creation through priavate enterprise.

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12
Q

PRAGMATISM

Why do traditional conservatives maintain their ‘change to conserve’ policy?

A

to safeguard the essential features of society

e.g. property, order, tradition, established institutions.

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13
Q

PRAGMATISM

What does ‘change to conserve’ necessarily mean?

A

established institutions (and other key features of society) can only be preserved through pragmatism when it takes changing circumstances into account

it msut recognise occasions when it is necessary to change
e.g. Brexit, gay marriage in chruches etc.

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14
Q

TRADITION

What does this concept refer to? Who is it associated with?

A

attachment to tradition - the institutions, customs and practices of a society that have developed over time

G.K. Chesterton

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15
Q

TRADITION

What is the original justification for tradition?

A

religious roots
they saw the world as created by divine being, and society’s institution and practices as ‘God-given’
humans who want to alter this are challenging the will of God

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16
Q

TRADITION
What are the 2 secular arguments for the value of tradition (following the Enlightenment which undermined the religious reasoning)?

A
  1. tradition constitutes the accumulated wisdom of the past

2. provides society and the individual with a strong sense of identity

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17
Q

TRADITION

How does tradition represent the ‘accumulated wisdom of the past’?

A
  • future generation can benefit from it
  • tradition establishes continuity and social stability (Monarchy)
  • demonstrate they are ‘fit for purpose’ over time (marriage/nuclear family)
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18
Q

TRADITION

How does tradition provide a ‘sense of identity’?

A

historically based sense of belonging to a particular society

  • fosters social cohesion and powerful ties between people
  • radical changes will cut people off and lead to instability
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19
Q

HUMAN IMPERFECTION

What is the conservative view of human nature?

A

pessimistic
people are flawed
and people are incapable of reaching a state of perfection

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20
Q

HUMAN IMPERFECTION

Why does human nature have to be kept in check?

A

human nature is immutable (remains constant)

it has to be kept in check due to human capacity for evil

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21
Q

HUMAN IMPERFECTION

What are the political implications of this pessimistic view?

A
  1. tough stance on law
    TO DETER CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR
  2. foreign policy based on national security rather than international cooperation and harmony
    HUMAN NATURE CANNOT BE TRANSFORMED
  3. political systems will recognise self-interest as more powerful motivator than altruism
    HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IS COMPETITIVE
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22
Q

HUMAN IMPERFECTION

What are the 3 ways humans are flawed?

A

PSYCHOLOGICALLY:
e.g. limited and dependent
crave security and safety
want familiarity of place in society

MORALLY
e.g. naturally selfish and greedy

INTELLECTUALLY
e.g. intellect and reasoning of humans are limited
do not possess the mental faculties to make sense of complex modern world

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23
Q

ORGANIC SOCIETY/STATE

What is organicism?

A

the doctrine that everything in nature has an organic basis/is part of organic whole

conservatives believe that humans are dependent/security seeking
it follows that people cannot exist separately from society as a whole or form social groups

24
Q

ORGANIC SOCIETY/STATE

What 2 conservative beliefs underpin idea of organic society?

A

hierarchy

authority

25
Q

ORGANIC SOCIETY/STATE

Explain the importance of hierarchy in an organic society.

A

Conservatives have traditionally argued that society is based on a social hierarchy (based on fixed social ranks and inequality).
because:
-individuals have different roles, abilities and intellect.
- there must be ‘natural’ inequality as different classes perform different roles

26
Q

ORGANIC SOCIETY/STATE

Explain the importance of authority in an organic society.

A

provides humans with security, direction and support

it also promotes social cohesion
gives people a clear sense of where they ‘fit in’ and what they are expected to do

operates in a ‘top-down’ manner to shape relations between social groups

they assert this authority is limited to ‘natural responsibilities’ that accompany their privileged position (e.g. employers have authority but not right o abuse employess)

27
Q

ORGANIC SOCIETY/STATE

What 2 considerations does the view of society as a ‘living organsim’ lead to?

A
  1. internal elements of an organic society cannot be randomly configured.
    - maintained by delicate set of relationships
    - for this reason, an organic society represents a more than collection of individual elements
  2. an organic society is based on natural needs and instincts such as affection, security and concern.
    - rather than by ideology
    - society have been moulded by natural forces beyond human control
    - suggests that its member should sustain its careful balance of interacting elements
28
Q

ORGANIC SOCIETY/STATE

If people do not act on their social obligations or ties, what would happen to human society?

A

human society would lack social cohesion and descend into atomism (society is made up of self-interested individuals)

29
Q

ORGANIC SOCIETY/STATE

What is an organic society and how do conservatives view this?

A

society as a living organism

with all its parts working together in harmony to ensure that the ‘body’ remains healthy

30
Q

ORGANIC SOCIETY/STATE

What is one way conservatives justify hierarchy? How does this lead to endorsing PATERNALISM?

A

the most advantages also bear the heaviest social responsibilities

a hierarchical organic society encourages paternalism as a means to ensure social cohesion

31
Q

PATERNALISM

What is the definition of paternalism?

A

the idea of government by people who are best equipped to lead by virtue of their birth, inheritance, upbringing

32
Q

PATERNALISM

How has paternalism be justified more recently by one-nation conservatives?

A

by relying on government of the economy and social welfare measures to improve the conditions for the poorest in society

33
Q

PATERNALISM

Why does the social elite have to provide leadership?

A

they have innate or hereditary abilities

their skills and talents cannot be obtained by hard work or self-improvement

wisdom and experience of paternalistic leaders confer natural authority (they ‘know what is best’ for rest of society)

34
Q

PATERNALISM

Give 2 examples of high born paternalistic conservative political leaders.

A

Cecil family (Marquesses of Salisbury)

Stanley family )Earls of Derby)

35
Q

PATERNALISM

Where has one nation conservatism reintroduced a concept of paternalism?

A

when David Cameron also drew on paternalism when he called for ‘compassionate conservatism’

36
Q

PATERNALISM

What 2 forms can paternalism take?

A

Soft - when those who are recipients give their consent

Hard - when paternalism is imposed, regardless of consent and in authoritarian manner

37
Q

PATERNALISM

How does Disraeli come into this?

A

Disraeli was PM and concerned that Britain was dividing into 2 nations (rich and poor)

he resolved that the privileged in society should recognise their social obligation to look after the less fortunate

38
Q

PATERNALISM

How had paternalism come into (one-nation) conservative policy by 1950s/60s? What was the phrase Macmillan used?

A

PM Harold Macmillan had realised the state had an obligation to intervene in the economy to maintain welfare state
they adopted a ‘middle way’ economic approach to social reform by steering betwee nfree-market economics and state planning.

“private enterprise without selfihness”

39
Q

PATERNALISM

Which strand of conservatism completely rejects idea of paternalism? Give 3 reasons why.

A

neo-liberals/New Right

  1. partly on free market economics, which aims to reduce the size of the state.
    - creates more dynamic and efficient economy
    - leading to increased growth and prosperity
  2. government intervention in economy undermines human initaitive and enterprise
    - resulting in economic stagnation
  3. faith in human individualism
    - stressing importance of self-help, individual responsibility and personal initiative
    - view welfare programmes negatively s they promote a dependency culture
40
Q

PATERNALISM

What conservative ideas is paternalism strongly linked to?

A

hierarchy, order and organic society

41
Q

PATERNALISM

What does paternalism represent?

A

a form of benign power exerted from above by the state

that governs in the interest of the population as a whole

42
Q

PATERNALISM

Which strand softened the previously rather harsh notion of paternalism? How?

A

one-nation conservatism

since 1945, One Nation conservatives have argued that the modern state is the most appropriate agency through which to deliver social welfare and economic regulation in interests of all

43
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

What is libertarianism?

A

a political philosophy that emphasises the rights of individuals to liberty, advocating only minimal state intervention

44
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

What does it state in the primary role of the state?

A

to protect individual rights

45
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

What does it specifically emphasise?

A

maximum economic freedom

minimal government regulation in social affairs

46
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

What is libertarianism a core rival idea to?

A

paternalism

47
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

What is the philosophy influenced by?

A

Adam Smith’s thinking in late 18th century
for economic liberalism

Burke also advocated for:

  • free trade
  • market economy on arrangements that were efficient, just and ‘natural’
48
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

For Conservatives, what does the operation of the capitalist free market represent?

A

a natural law that cannot be altered

without damaging prosperity and working conditions

49
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

In its modern form, what is libertarian conservatism known as? What policies is it associated with?

A

liberal New Right or neo-liberalism

Associated with:
Margaret Thatcher (1979-90)
Ronald Reagan (1981-89)
50
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

At the most basic form, what does neo-liberalism reject and champion?

A

rejects:
state intervention
Keynesian-style demand management and welfare programmes

champions: free market economy

51
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

Explain what neo-liberals argue in support ofr free-market.

A

free market is the only mechanism that can efficiently supply goods and services on basis of consumer demand

only the market (not the government) can ultimately determine the ‘natural’ level of unemployment

52
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

What do neo-liberals consider to be the biggest threat to the market economy? Why? How would they overcome this?

A

inflation

why: inhibits all forms of economic and business activity by undermining financial confidence

how overcome: government spending cuts to control money supply (adopted by Thatcher and Reagan)

53
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

What else do neo-liberals dismiss? Why?

A
  • mixed economy
  • public ownership

on ground of expense and inefficiency

54
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

What do neo-liberals endorse instead of mixed economy? Why?

A

‘supply-side’ economics

why: create the conditions to facilitate the highest possible levels of production (producers’ access to key economic resources has to be unrestricted)

obstacles (gov regulation, high taxation and trade union influence) must be removed

55
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

How do neo-liberals justify opposition to state intervention?

A

by calling for individual liberrty

whcih can only be guaranteed by ‘rolling back’ the state (e.g. social welfare programmes)

56
Q

LIBERTARIANISM

Why do neo-liberals object to state welfare?

A
  1. they create dependency culture
    - deprive self-respect
    - undermine personal intiative and responibility
    - undermine parental financial responsibility, undermining family institution
  2. state welfare undermines property rights
    - no legally acquired property (e.g. income) can be transferred without consent
    - its a ‘legalised state robbery’
    - extreme form of individualism that states we do not owe each other anything

Conservatism (6 decks)

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