strands within conservatism Flashcards
strands
Traditional Conservatives
One nation Conservatives
New right - Neo Libs, Neo-Conservatives
traditional conservatives
The original conservatism
Originated in the 18th Century in reaction to
the French and American revolutions
Traditional conservatism’s main aim is to defend the established order of society
against disruptive idealistic revolutionaries.
It established the main principles of conservatism, such as pragmatism, maintaining traditions, the organic society, and the idea of human imperfection
one nation conservatives
19th/20th Century version of traditional conservatism
Reaction to industrialised society, with its
tensions between rich and poor, and the emergence of socialist revolutions
Focus on avoiding division into ‘two nations’, rich and poor. Defends the same priciples as trads with an added focus on paternalism
new right
More hard-line conservative views developed
since the 1970s. Reaction to communism, fascism, as well a social democratic governments with an expanding welfare state and progressive cultural revolution. Worried about ‘big government’ and decline of ‘traditional values’. Rejects one-nation conservative’s pragmatic moderate reaction to those changes.
neo liberalism
Neo-liberalism is mostly an economic theory
aiming for minimal government influence in the
economy. Some neo-liberals want minimal state influence on people’s lives in general; the government should stay out of the economy AND people’s personal cultural choices
what does neo liberalism in its mostt radical form argue for
a state that only maintains law and order
what does neo liberalism advocate for
A minimal ‘small’ state
Self-reliant individuals
Free market with minimal government intervention
neo conservatism
Socially conservative reaction against progressive changes since the 1960s (feminism, secularisation, declining marriage rates,
sexual liberation, decline in hierarchy and authority, etc.).
what do Neo-conservatives say crime, unemployment and underachievement in education are caused by?
The decline of traditional institutions (marriage, religion, family, gender roles) and ‘traditional values’
Decline in hierarchy, authority and patriarchy
Free choice of moral positions instead of common moral standards undermined social cohesion (🡪 critical of multi-culturalism)
what is the neo-conservative solution to the current problem
A strong state or ‘state authority’ (strict law and order) providing moral guidance (define what’s right and wrong)
Return to traditional values and traditional institutions
what do both neo-libs and neo-conservatives disagree on
they disagree on the role of the state on cultural issues, neo libs advocate for minimal state influence, while neo conservatives advocate for strong state moral guidance
what do both neo-libs and neo-conservatives agree on
they agree on minimal role of the state in the economy
