Core Political Ideas: Conservatism Flashcards
Why is pragmatism important to conservatism
Edmund Burke (1729-97), Michael Oakeshott (1901-90) - to be conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried
Rejection of ideology, favours practical experience - Society should be flexible to changes.
‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
Humans lack the intellectual capacity to understand complex theories, so leaders need to emphasise caution, moderation and
continuity.
Traditional and One Nation Conservatives emphasise evolution of
society over time, rather than radical change – chaos.
Law and order, property, tradition and established institutions.
Change is sometimes needed, but only to conserve.
Why is tradition important to conservatism
Originally had religious roots.
Institutions, customs and practices of the past (monarchy, constitution, family, marriage) have been the building blocks of society and should be passed down to our children.
Firstly traditions consist of the accumulated wisdom of the past meaning that traditions have demonstrated their value for earlier society and a proven fit for purpose over time and survived
Secondly it provides society and individuals with a strong sense of identity
Burke - Each generation has a duty to pass these traditions on to the next. Partnership not only between those who are living but between those who are living, dead and to be born
Destroying traditional institutions can lead to tyrannical regimes – Soviet Russia, French Revolution.
Social cohesion, security and certainty.
2/3’s of Tories voted against same-sex marriage in the House of Commons.
‘Cornerstone Group’ within the Conservative Party promotes traditional Christian values.
Why is human imperfection in danger of atomism important to conservatism
Humans are flawed, psychologically, morally and intellectually. They have the capacity to do evil, therefore, must be kept in check.
Human nature is immutable (remains constant).
We therefore need:
Tough stance on law and order.
National security more important than international cooperation and harmony.
A political system that recognises self-interest is a more powerful motivator than altruism.
Atomism says society is made up of self-interested individuals (egoistical individualism).
This can also explain social breakdown and isolation.
What is psychological human imperfections for a Conservative
People are limited and dependent.
People like safety, familiarity and security in knowing their place in society
They place importance on social order rather than liberty because it provides people with the security ,predictability and stability
Liberty rises the unsettling for Specht of choice, change and uncertainty therefore Conservatives consider social order more important to liberty
What is moral human imperfection for a Conservative
People are morally imperfect because they are naturally selfish and greedy
Antisocial or criminal behaviour is due to their basic human nature not because of economic or social disadvantage
Robust law and order that imposes severe sanctions is the only effective deterrent to combat moral imperfection
What is the Intellectual human imperfection for a Conservative
Human reasoning and intellect is limited
People do not pose the mental facilities to make sense of complex scenarios
Therefore Conservatives reject theories that claim to explain the development of human society
Instead of humans need to draw on tradition, history and practical experience to understand the world
What is the importance of the organic society within conservatism
Society is like a living organism.
All its parts must work together in order to ensure its ‘health’.
The organic society is maintained by a delicate set of relationships between different elements if the balance is disturbed the society will possibly be destroyed.
Organic society is based on natural needs and instincts such as affection security and concern rather than ideological divisions
Organic society is the belief in hierarchy and authority because Conservatives believe society is naturally hierarchical because individuals vary in terms of talent, intellect, skill and work rate and that different classes and groups have to perform specific roles
Authority also promote social cohesion by shaping relationship between different social groups and all social interactions
authority provides people with security, direction and support and allows people to fit in
they believe that people in authority are limited by natural responsibility accompanying there authority
What is the importance of paternalism for conservatism
Suggest that the elite members of society were naturally born to lead and that anyone who is self improving does not have the same characteristics
Those in authority (the elites) have a duty of care to the ‘lower orders’ – ‘noblesse oblige’.
‘soft’ paternalism – where the recipients willingly accept this situation.
‘hard’ paternalism – where this is imposed in an authoritarian manner.
Benjamin Disraeli – 19th C society was dividing into rich and poor. In order for the elites to preserve their privileges, they had a social obligation to improve the lives of the poor. ‘One Nation paternalism’. This would reduce the risk of revolution.
Neo-liberals reject paternalism because They aim to reduce the size of the state so that the unregulated market can generate a more dynamic and efficient economy allowing for growth
Government intervention in the economy or state control undermined human initiative and enterprise resulting in economic’s stagnation
Neoliberal faith in individualism also challenges paternalism by stressing the importance of self-help individual responsibility and personal Initiative
What is the importance of libertarianism for conservatives
The right of individuals to liberty advocating only minimal state intervention in the lives of citizens.
The state has the role of protecting individual right
Emphasis on mixed economy freedom and minimal government regulation in social welfare
Edmund Burke advocated free trade and a market economy on the grounds that such arguments were efficient, just and natural because of the human desire for wealth
Commonly known as liberal new right or neoliberalism associated with prime minister Margaret Thatcher
Opposes Keynesian economics - because it does not provide effectively supply goods and services. Only the market not government intervention can determine the natural level of unemployment
Neoliberals dismissed the mixed economy and common ownership because of expense and inefficiencies while endorsing supply slide economics as the path of growth and general prosperity
they use liberty to role back the influence of the state
What are the neo-liberals object to state welfare
They create a dependency culture by depriving people of self-respect and dignity and undermining personal responsibility and initiative
Arguing that generations of people had become reliant on state benefits
Dependency was eroding Parental responsibility for children’s finance therefore undermining the Institute of the family
Policies to provide a welfare services and redistribute income undermine property rights
Legal acquired property can be transferred from one individual to another without consent. Taxation revenue taken from income earners to fund welfare programs represent a form of state robbery
Extreme view of individualism
What are the views of traditional Conservatives
Organic society.
Negative view of human nature.
Change should be pragmatic and gradual.
A strong defence of the country.
Law and order.
Protection of property.
Preserve and respect institutions of power: monarchy, church, Parliament, Judiciary etc.
Love of tradition.
Hierarchical.
‘Noblesse oblige’ – the duty of care by the elites to the masses.
What do one nation conservatives believe
Benjamin Disraeli, the 19c British prime minister sought to redefine conservatism in order for it to appeal to the masses and preserve the institutions of power and the state.
Not only did the elites have ‘noblesse oblige’, they should also embrace social reform in order to strengthen national unity – ‘welfarism’.
He based his philosophy on 3 guiding principles:
- Maintenance of traditional institutions.
- Imperialism – would engender national pride.
- Reforms to improve conditions for the working class.
Keynesian economics, the dominant force in the Conservative Party until the 1970’s.
What do you new right Conservatives believe
Contains two strands: Neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism.
- Neo-liberals are committed to a free market, a minimal state and
individual freedom and responsibility. - Neo-conservatives emphasise traditional values, order and morality.
The new right contains radical traditional and reactionary elements with determination to the band in government intervention in the economic and social affairs and attack permissive social attitudes
Both want to return to the 1800s which they regard as the mythical age of economic liberty and moral responsibility
New Right theory heavily influenced Margaret Thatcher in Britain and Ronald Reagan in the US.
Rejected Keynesian economic theory.
What are the neoliberal features of Thatcherism
Monetarism – tight control of money supply to keep down inflation and encourage investment. Higher interest rates.
Privatisation of state industries.
Deregulation of the financial sector.
Restricting trade union power.
What are the neoconservative features of Thatcherism
Defence of traditional family values.
Strong law and order policies.
Opposition to the promotion of homosexuality (Section 28).
Protection of public morality through strict censorship laws.
