Society

Question 1

What is “Localism”?

Answer 1

A Conservative belief that society is a collection of localised communities

Question 2

How do Liberals and Conservatives views on localism differ?

Answer 2

Liberals belive society is a colection of atomistic individuals
Conservatives believe society is a collection of localised communities

Question 3

What is a Burke quote about Localism?

Answer 3

“Little Platoons” - Reflections on hte revolution in France (1790)

Question 4

What did Burke argue localism did for people?

Answer 4

Provided individuals with security, status and inspiration

Acted as a brake against classical liberal ‘selfishness’

Question 5

What is Organicism?

Answer 5

The Conservative belief that society emerges organically over time

Question 6

How do Liberals and Conservatives views on Organicism differ?

Answer 6

Liberals believe mankind can make its own destiny and can change and plan society themselves
Conservatives believe that life is subject to complex forces beyond the scope of reason and therefore society cannot be planned, only formed organically

Question 7

What is Empiricism?

Answer 7

Conservatives preference for evidence and practiality

It deals with how ‘life is’ and not how it ‘should be’

Question 8

What does Normative mean?

Answer 8

How things ‘should be’ in the future

Hated by conservatives as they believe existence is uncertain

Question 9

What does Progressive mean?

Answer 9

Ideas held by ideologies like Liberalism and Socialism

Belief that problems have solutions and they must solve them to have a better future

Question 10

How do Liberals (and Socialists) and Conservatives views on Empiricism differ?

Answer 10

Liberals (and Socialists) have a normative view of society, they have ideas on how society ‘should be’ and think that the future should be planned for to be made better
Conservatives believe that society should be Empirical and see things as they are, not as they ‘should be’ becuase the future is uncertain

Question 11

What is an Oakshott quote about Empiricism?

Answer 11

Oakshott said society aims to “stay afloat in uncertain waters” rather then to sail towards some specific destination (like a more equal society) which may be an illusion

Question 12

Why is tradition so important to Conservatives?

Answer 12

It guides them in an uncertain world

Question 13

What did Oakshott say about tradition?

Answer 13

“Just as a plant’s new leaves are connected to, dependent on and explained by the plants roots and branches, so a society’s present direction stems from its past development”

Question 14

How does tradition effect Conservatives views on change and reform?

Answer 14

While change and reform is inevitable it must be slow and respectful of tradition and history

Question 15

Why do Conservatives think Hierarchy exists?

Answer 15

Due to imperfections in society, people are unequal (wiser, richer e.g.) and so the wisest and richest people establish a heirachy of power and priviledge

Question 16

What did Burke say about Hierarchy?

Answer 16

“the wiser, stronger and more opulent” establish a hierarchy of power

Question 17

What responsibilities comes with Hierarchy?

Answer 17

People at the top of the hierarchy have to show paternalism and noblesse oblige. The relationship between the weak and strong in a society is similar to the relationship between a father and son

Question 18

How do Conservatives and Liberals differ on views of Hierarchy?

Answer 18

Liberals stress ‘foundational equality’ and that everyone is born equal while conservatives do not and as a result hierarchy forms

Question 19

How are Conservatives morality guided?

Answer 19

Old Testament Chistianity guides many conservative morals. As a result conservatives see marriage, families and religion as important.

Question 20

How do conservatives view property?

Answer 20

Conservatives see it is important as it supports tradition and continuity. It is passed down from generation to generation, supporting Conservative beliefs of family and stability.

Question 21

How does property link with a paternalistic society?

Answer 21

Those who have property have a stake in society so will help to look after those less fortunate and improve society as a whole. Also, it discorages revolution

Question 22

What is a Burke quote on property?

Answer 22

An ideal society is one that has a “partnership between those who are living, those who are dead and those who are yet to be born” shows importance of passing down property between family

Question 23

Why do new right thinkers like Rand and Norzic believe that property is important?

Answer 23

It promotes individual liberty and encourages people to protect that liberty