Origins and development of the Conservative party Flashcards
Define one nation
A paternalistic approach adopted by the Conservatives under the leadership of Benjamin Disraeli in the 19th century and continued by Theresa May and David Cameron in the 20th. Its the idea that the rich have an obligation to help the poor
Define new right
Split into two elements:
- The neo conservatives who want to take a more authoritarian approach to morality, law and order
- The neo liberals who endorse a completely free market and the rolling back of the state in the lives of people and businesses
From which crisis did the Tory party begin to form?
They were royalists during the exclusion crisis
What became clear about the Tories in the 17th century?
That they were in support of parliament and democracy but were being overshadowed by the whigs, another political group at this time
Who did the tories largely represented during industrialisation in the 19th century?
The landed gentry
Why did the tories become known as the conservatives?
Because they resisted the new political structures that were growing up and wished to ‘conserve’ the position of the dominant upper classes they represented
Who is generally acknowledged as the first Conservative party PM?
Sir Robert Peel, he and Benjamin Disraeli formed the party, basing it on traditional conservative ideas
What were the main objectives of the conservative party during its early years?
- Prevent the country from falling too far into inequality
- Preserving the unity of the Kingdom
- Preserving order in society
The early conservative party was pragmatic. What does this mean?
It adopted any policies they believed would benefit the whole nation
How did traditional conservative ideas come about?
Came as a reaction to the newly emerging liberal ideas that had inspired revolutions in North America and France. Conservative thinkers like Burke were alarmed by radical, new ideas that included individual freedom, religious and political toleration, representative government and a laissez-faire attitude towards the economy.
Why were conservatives worried by liberal ideas?
They believed that a free society, lacking government control, would lead to social disorder
Why would it by wrong to define conservatism as merely reactionary?
It acknowledges that society must evolve while conserving its best elements from the past. The party looks to introduce gradual, peacemeal reform to ease any pressure building up to the point of upheaval and revolt
List the six main principles of one nation conservatism
- Strong law and order to control society
- Preservation of tradition
- An organic society where the rich and poor are bound to each other
- The theory of noblesse oblige
- Responses to issues should be pragmatic rather than ideological
- Faith in property ownership as a means of creating an orderly society
Define noblesse oblige
Means that those of a higher social standing have an obligation to help those of a lower social standing, who have fallen on diificult times through no fault of their own
When and where did new right ideas largely emerge?
The USA in the 1970s and 80s
What did new right ideas emerge as a reaction to?
- Positioned itself against the socialist ideas that were gaining ground in Europe, Asia and South America
- Acted as an alternative to traditional conservative values that were seen as too weak to deal with the various social and economic issues of the time
Which two people was the new right movement most commonly associated with?
US President Reagan and British PM Thatcher
Which two economic and social philosophers is neo-liberalism associated with?
Hayek and Friedman
Outline the five core ideas of neo-liberalism
- The state should disengage from political management
- Markets should not be regulated by the state
- Trade unions hinder economic development and therefore make everyone poorer
- Welfare benefits are detrimental and create a dependancy culture
- High taxation is a disincentive to work and productivity
What do neo-liberal politicians actually tend to do in practise?
- Reduce direct taxes
- Privatise industries that have been taken over byy the state
- Reducing welfare benefits so that they are only a safety net for those who have no means of supporting themselves
- Curbing the power of trade unions
- Propose allowing the economy to find its own natural level, even in times of recession, rather than the state actively trying to control the economy
What is ironic about neo-conservatism?
Because while neo-liberalism advocates for the withdrwal of the state from economic affairs, neo-conservatism promotes a strong state, yet both are part of the same new right movement
Why do some people argue that neo-liberalism necessitates neo-conservatism?
Neo-liberalism promotes a very free society, which has the potential to create disorder
Outline the four key principles of neo-conservatism
- Belief in the promotion and advancement of traditional moral values in order to ensure a stable society
- Strong forces of law and order in an authoritarian state to impose social morality
- A belief that nationalism and patriotism are the best way to preserve a stable society
- Distrust of multinational organisations as they believe that the pursuit of national interests should always take priority
What do neo and traditional conservatism have in common?
Both promote traditional ‘national’ values and see order as something that it is important for the state to preserve
What did Disraeli say about the importance of paternalism for the upper classes?
‘When the cottages are happy, the castles are safe’
