Political ideologies 20 marker

Question 1

Conservative feature- human imperfection

Answer 1

Believe that humans are morally corruptible and that criminality is a result of individual greed.
Theorist- Edmund Burke argued that human being were intellectually imperfect especially when confronted with the complexity of social life.
Eg- conservatives may support harsher punishments - boris Johnson supported Arthers Law which ensured ‘whole life orders’ for perpetrators who have murdered a child.

Question 2

Socialism feature- positive view on human nature

Answer 2

Believe that humans are damaged by their environment and that human nature can be improved in the correct conditions.
Eg- Corbyn said, “it’s an obvious way of living… you care for everybody and everybody cares for everybody else… it’s obvious isn’t it?”

Question 3

Conservatism feature - hierarchy

Answer 3

Believe that hierarchy within society is natural and inevitable as it reflects the different roles in society.
Theorist- Benjamin Disraeli argued that whose with wealth and power who are higher up in society have a responsibility to those less fortunate.
Eg- conservatives would argue that children should do as teachers and parents say without arguing.

Question 4

Socialism feature -equality

Answer 4

Believe in the equality of outcome and that everyone should have equal access to resources
Eg- Corbyn said, “education isn’t about a personal development but a collective good that benefits our society and economy.” When pushing for abolishing tuition fees at university in England,

Question 5

conservatism feature - private ownership of property

Answer 5

View this as vital as it improves an individual in terms of finance and indépendance.
Theorist- Edmund Burke argued that ownership of property should be the predominant requirement in political representation.
Eg- Margaret thatchers ‘Right to Buy’ scheme of the 1980’s means that people could buy their council houses at a reduced rate.

Question 6

socialism feature- common ownership of property

Answer 6

Believe that private ownership of property creates divisions and selfishness within society.
Theorist- Karl Marx argued in his communist manifesto that private property should be abolished.
Eg- many council houses built after WW2 were sold off in Thatchers right to buy scheme - leaving a shortage of public housing

Question 7

Conservatism definition

Answer 7

The belief that traditional institutions work best and that society should avoid radical change.

Question 8

Socialism definition

Answer 8

Seeking to create a more equal society by changing capitalist society.