Strands of conservatism Flashcards
What are the 5 core types of conservatism?
- Traditional
- One Nation
- Post-war
- Thatcherism (New Right)
- Modern
These types reflect different ideological approaches within conservatism.
Who are the key figures associated with Traditional Conservatism?
- Thomas Hobbes
- Edmund Burke
Their ideas laid the foundation for Traditional Conservatism, particularly during the English Civil War.
What is the main ideology of Traditional Conservatism?
Protection of traditional institutions
This ideology emphasizes a connection to the past and a cynical view of human nature.
What is the view of the state in Traditional Conservatism?
Belief in an organic state that evolved naturally
A strong state is seen as necessary to maintain order, tradition, and hierarchy.
What role does Traditional Conservatism assign to the ruling class?
The ruling class should be kept in power
This reflects a belief in maintaining social order and hierarchy.
What is the perspective on human nature in Traditional Conservatism?
Humans are inherently selfish
This belief is rooted in traditional Christian views of original sin.
What economic stance does Traditional Conservatism take?
The state should not get involved in economics
It supports a free market and private ownership.
Who popularized One Nation Conservatism?
Benjamin Disraeli
His ideas emerged in response to the American and French revolutions.
What was the aim of One Nation Conservatism?
To unify the classes and promote equality
It sought to bring together different social classes under a common goal.
How does One Nation Conservatism view the state?
The state acts as a father figure to remove intense inequality
It promotes active participation to mitigate the worst effects of capitalism.
What is the belief about human nature in One Nation Conservatism?
Everyone is inherently selfish but capitalism exacerbates this
The state should facilitate opportunities for all individuals.
What economic approach does One Nation Conservatism advocate?
State-managed capitalism
This combines private and public ownership to temper inequalities.
What characterized Post-War Conservatism?
A broad agreement between political parties from 1945-1979
It was shaped by social and economic upheavals like the Great Depression.
What economic stance did Post-War Conservatism adopt?
A pragmatic middle ground between socialism and capitalism
This included elements of state intervention and free market principles.
Who were the key figures associated with Post-War Conservatism?
- Harold MacMillan
- R.A.A Butler
They played significant roles in shaping Post-War Conservative policies.
What was the expanded role of the state post-WWII?
The state was responsible for rebuilding the nation and ensuring social welfare, providing a safety net for all citizens through initiatives like the 1948 NHS and universal education reforms.
How did the state balance key industries?
The state balanced key industries through nationalisation (e.g., coal, railways) while allowing private enterprise to exist, balancing laissez-faire capitalism and centralised socialism.
What economic theory did the state engage with?
The state engaged with Keynesian Economics, encouraging full employment and increasing public spending.
What was the societal focus after WWII?
Social unity was prioritized, influenced by shared sacrifices of WWII, with an emphasis on cooperation between different social classes.
How was inequality viewed in post-war society?
Inequality was seen as natural, and equality of opportunity was enforced.
What was the view of human nature in the post-war consensus?
The view became cautiously optimistic, recognizing individuals’ vulnerability to external forces and justifying state intervention for stability.
What was the economic approach of the New Right?
Grounded in neoliberal economics, prioritizing government intervention to manage the economy and prevent instability.
Who were key figures of the New Right?
Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and Ayn Rand.
What did the New Right seek to achieve?
They sought to reduce the role of the state in the economy and restore traditional values.
