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Ideologies - Conservatism Flashcards

1
Q

What is conservatism?

A

A political tradition which resists reforms or the dominance of fixed political doctrines/ideologies. Status quo should be maintained.

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2
Q

What is the origin of conservatism?

A

Arose in reaction to the growing pace of political, social and economic change - symbolised by the French Revolution and the Enlightenment.
UK conservatism draws heavily from Edmund Burke - “change in order to conserve”

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3
Q

What key assumption do Conservatives have of mankind/human nature?

A
  • Mankind is flawed/imperfect (derived from biblical idea of original sin).
  • We are untrustworthy, lack intellectual, moral and psychological knowledge - therefore paternalism is necessary.
  • Thatcher - we are selfish and insecure; this drives us to be entrepreneurs and own businesses. We are not driven by reason.

*Crime/war is a reflection of this

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4
Q

What are the 3 types of conservatism?

A
  1. Traditional conservatism - traditional practices have proved to be successful due to its longevity, therefore radicalisation is opposed.
  2. One nation conservatism - The poor are dependent on the rich and vice versa, noblesse oblige.
  3. Neo-liberalism/New Right - Most radical form of conservatism (esp. economic matters).
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5
Q

Describe traditional conservatism

A

~A political philosophy emphasising the need of natural law and transcendent moral order.
• Believe in values, practices and institutions which have stood the test of time; such as FPTP, the monarch and the church.
• Seen as a more ‘reactionary’ or ‘counterrevolutionary’ philosophy.
• Stability is key, i.e. Nuclear family, state is needed for survival, morals = controls. Tradition is reliable, future is unpredictable.

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6
Q

What did GK Chesterton say in relation to traditional conservatism?

A

“Democracy of the dead”.

Customs which have been received from previous generations have stood the test of time, and should be preserved for the benefits of generations to come.
Reflects a Darwinism view - natural selection/survival of the fittest.
Tradition will create a sense of identity.

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7
Q

Describe one nation conservatism

A

~Views society as organic values, relies heavily on paternalism and pragmatism.
• Originated from Disraeli, devised to appeal to the working class (eg more protection for workers through health acts). Welfarism would promote pragmatism in the sense that it avoids social revolution.
• For the welfare state, it would lessen the gap between poor and rich, caused by previous free market capitalism (2 ‘nations’ become one). Noblesse oblige.
•

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8
Q

Describe New Right

A

~aka Thatcherism (originated from Milton Friedman). A merge between neo-liberalism (economically) and neo-conservatism (socially).
• Strong believers of Laisssez-faire (eg through privatisation, deregulation, free trade and reduced government spending). Opposed to mixed economy.
• Strong believers of leadership and authority, it strengthens society.
• Negative freedom

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8
Q

Why did the new right want to roll back the state?

A
  • High taxation - described as ‘legalised theft’ which undermines property. ‘Less tax more law and order’. Reduces economic/negative freedom.
  • High public spending - leads to inflation
  • State welfare - prevents individualism and leads to a dependency culture ‘nanny state’.

Free market is self regulating and so can avoid all of this through its market forces which attend to supply and demand. Equilibrium will be achieved.

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9
Q

What do Conservatives argue the role of the state is?

A

The role of the state is not to preserve liberty but to uphold order. The ideal conservative government is more paternalistic in nature.

A threat to Liberty is the individual (conflicts with liberals = the state).

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10
Q

What is meant by the term ‘noblesse oblige’?

A

The rich/nobles are obliged to take control of the lower orders of society.
Ensures an organic society & advocates paternalism.

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11
Q

What is the difference between authority and authoritarianism?

A

Authority: implies consent to govern (bottom-up).

Authoritarianism: ruling regardless of consent (top-down).

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12
Q

What is meant by pragmatism?

A
  • Actions of the state should be shaped in accordance with practical circumstances of the individuals - whatever works practically at that time (reactionary).
  • ‘Politics should be a conversation not an argument’ - Oakeshott
  • Rejects strongly held ideology, as they are not always popular throughout history - ideologies result in tyranny. Conservatives therefore should be chameleon-like, ‘change in order to conserve’.
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13
Q

2 quotes which sum up tradition

A

“To tamper with the world would be to challenge the creator” - Edmund Burke

“The cure is not worse than the disease” (doing nothing is better than doing something in some cases) - Oakeshott

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15
Q

What is the conservative view on (organic) society?

A
  • Humans cannot exist outside society as it is assumed we are security-seeking. The whole is greater than its constituent parts - rights and responsibilities hold society together - social obligation.
  • An organic society is shaped by natural factors rather than human design. So can account for our imperfect nature.

In terms of hierarchy, natural aristocracy - talent and leadership are innate qualities that can be acquired through self-advancement. Meritocracy.

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16
Q

What are the core values of Conservatism?

A

ORDER AND AUTHORITY
• Hobbes - without order we would have an unpleasantly short life, willing to sacrifice personal liberty for order.
TRADITION/PRESERVATION
• Reflects the accumulated wisdom of the past, more trustworthy than the unknown future (change is uncertain). Partly why conservatism rejects ideological direction as it isn’t realistic.
INEQUALITY
• inequality is not wanted but it is unavoidable. One-nationism try to bridge the gap.
ORGANIC SOCIETY
• individuals cannot be separated from society (thatcher argues against this - ‘There are individuals and there are families. There is no such thing as society’).
PRAGMATISM
• Conservatism is not fully opposed to change, needs to be a working relationship between the governed and government.
INDIVIDUALISM
• Through choice, opportunity and self-fulfilment. State has an opportunity to enhance people’s lives.
PROPERTY
• provides security, ownership gives people a sense of confidence and assurance.

17
Q

What is the conservative view on order and authority?

A
  • Prison works (possible deterrent) keeps society safe which is more important than bettering the individual.
  • Authority provides stability. Also produces order and discipline, protecting society from the sources of anarchy.
  • Authority arises naturally, out of the need of paternalism for those who are poor and uneducated. This provides support and guidance which benefits the nature of society.
  • Authority is a source of security and belonging, gives people a sense of where they stand in society.
18
Q

What is the conservative view on individualism?

A

~Value of individualism is now shared with liberals.
Also implies a sense of privacy. Best environment for this is a nomocratic (ruled by law) society, an individual can flourish in a stable society.

19
Q

What is the conservative view on property?

A

• Those who possess property are more likely to respect other people - owners have a ‘stake’ in society. Property entails obligations for the morally imperfect.
• Promotes conservative values such as maintaining law and order.
• Provides psychologically imperfect with social security (in times of financial crises) and symbolises tradition as it can be passed on or inherited.
—
• Property can be an extension of individuals personality (individual effort) - Thatcher allowed council house owners to buy it outright - gets rid of class system.
• Property is physical evidence of individuals hard work + economic management. Individual merit.
• However, Thatcher also privatised British Gas, railways and car companies - as a nation are we not able to own property, contradiction.

20
Q

What is the conservative view on paternalism?

A

~Refers to the exercise of authority over others, for the purpose of benefitting them or protections from harm. Like a father.

  • Can be justified on moral grounds: TC understand that some wealth and status are acquired through the accident of birth, and therefore it is important that noblesse oblige exists to support the unprivileged.
  • Can be justified on practical grounds: paternal obligation helps to bind a society together, preventing any threats to the established law and order. Organic society means social reform rather than social revolution.
21
Q

What influence did Thatcher have on conservatism?

A
  • Confronted trade unions (who were essentially entrenched and vital to the economic structure), she reduced their powers. This has continued to modern day conservatives, the idea of subjecting British institutions to competitive forces.
  • Privatised major industries to reduce paternalism, it denies the individual spirit of enterprise.
22
Q

KEY CONSERVATIVE THINKER: Edmund Burke

A

Burke is often described as the father of conservatism - tradition is the basis of stability in society.
Believed society was shaped by the law of the Creator.
‘Good order is the foundation of all things’. Strong believer in paternalism - the people have an obligation to obey the state as long as it provides order.

23
Q

KEY CONSERVATIVE THINKER: Benjamin Disraeli

A

Social conflict is a danger to conservatism.
Disraeli warned against the effects of industrialisation, risked the breakdown of organic society.
Strong believer in noblesse oblige, more radical/reforming.

“If the cottages are happy, the castle is safe”.

24
Q

Define: meritocracy

A

An elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth.

Eg. Thatcher was the daughter of a greengrocer, but was able to become Prime minister.

25
Q

What influence does Theresa May have on conservatism?

A

Regards herself as a one-nation conservative.
• Paternalism, but social classes still intact - “Government can and should be a force for good”.
• Highly pragmatic, eg. Brexit
• Cut marriage tax

26
Q

Compare Traditional or One-Nation to New right

A 
Pragmatism v. Principle 
Traditionalism v. Radicalism
Organic society v. Atomistic individuals 
Hierarchy v. Meritocracy 
Social responsibility v. Individual responsibility 
Natural order v. Market order 
'Middleway' economics v. Laissez-faire 
Welfarism v. Anti-welfarism
26
Q

Define: Neo-liberalism

A

Focuses on negative freedom in an economic aspect (i.e. laissez-faire) which ensures rational self-interest.

  • Derived from classical liberalism, dedicated to market individualism and minimal statism.
  • Unregulated capitalism can positively give rise to economic efficiency and responsiveness.
  • Desire to roll back economic and social intervention from the state.
27
Q

Thatcher quote about society

A

“There is no such thing as society. There are individuals and there are families”.

29
Q

Define: Neo-Conservatism

A

Focuses on the social stability of a society through law and order, in a moral aspect, the government should be allowed to intervene.

  • Derived from Social/Traditional Conservatism, promotes an organic society.
  • Paternalism and authoritarian.
30
Q

Where does the similarity between neo-liberals and neo-conservatives lie?

A
  • Against increased immigration (promotes multiculturalism, dissolves ‘British values’).
  • Free market economy (dynamic, vital source of discipline and can give rise to shared values, for NL creates a meritocracy incentive).
  • Minimal state intervention, but strong in terms of social justice.
31
Q

Where does the paradox exist in New right philosophy?

A
  • Use of paternalism (idea of imperfect human nature is different for both with different consequences).
  • Organic society (gives rise to stability, order and hierarchy) v. Atomistic individuals (thatcher quote).
32
Q

On what grounds has conservatism defended one nation principles?

A
  • One nation provides justification for limited social and economic intervention (i.e. In the form of welfare).
  • Its key principles include paternalism, social duty, moral responsibility and social cohesion.
  • The application of such principles (in the form of social reform and welfare) have served the long term interests of the wealthy and privileged by helping to neutralise political discontent from the lower ranks of society.
  • Social reform is the antidote to social revolution.
  • Moral justification in that the rich who became so through the accident of birth owe it to their social position to help the disadvantaged - noblesse oblige.
33
Q

Give some examples of pragmatism

A
  • After WW2, Conservatives adopted welfarism
  • Disraeli introduced workers rights during industrialisation period
  • Theresa May - Brexit
  • Support for same-sex marriage
  • Coalition government
  • Mixed economy

Politics (8 decks)

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