The Conservative Party Flashcards
How did the CP emerge?
Emerged from the Tory party in the 1830s-dating its birth to Robert Peel’s Tamworth Manifesto in 1834
Why did conservatism emerge?
Origins in conflict in 17th century over authority of monarchy
those who supported royal authority=royalists and became known as Tories
those who favoured democracy=whigs
How did the industrial revolution affect the CP?
Growth of international markets. capitalist middle class began to grow in size and influence
Their rise challenged traditional authority of aristocracy and landed gentry
middle class represented by whigs
landed gentry represented by Tories who were being described as conservatives.
Why were the Tories referred to as Conservatives?
They resisted new political structures and wished to ‘conserve’ the dominant position of the upper classes whom they represented.
Who was the first CP PM?
Sir Robert Peel
Who formed the CP?
Sir Robert Peel and Benjamin Disraeli based it on traditional conservative ideas.
What were the parties 2 main objectives?
- prevent the party falling too far into inequality, to preserve the unity of the UK
- preserve order in society
What sort of party was the CP?
pragmatic
What is traditional conservatism?
Ideas are about tradition must be conserved and we must have a democracy for an ordered society. We must preserve things such as marriage, nuclear families and religion.
Approach issues pragmatically
Believe people could fall into disorder so we need order
What did Edmund Burke believe?
‘good order is the foundation of all good things’-new ideas of liberty, equality and democracy were creating a disordered society.
What is ‘one-nation conservatism’?
political ideology that emphasises social cohesion and the need for a strong, unified society and not a divide between classes
takes a pragmatic approach
advocates incremental change
paternalistic
favours a mixed economy
Which PM popularised one-nation conservatism?
Disraeli-he warns against Britain becoming ‘Two Nations’: ‘The Rich and the Poor’
What is ‘paternalist conservatism’?
While authority should be centralised, state should be benevolent and care for the neediest and care for those who are less fortunate (social reforms)
What is an Organic Society?
People well off have a duty to care for those who are less fortunate and society shouldn’t develop forcefully but naturally as we are all independent
How are conservatives different from socialists and liberals?
They don’t have fixed views of how to change society
What are conservative views on property?
Defenders of the property-owning classes
Fundamental for individualism
Which PM became known for ‘New Right’ principles?
Margaret Thatcher
Define the term ‘New Right’
Used to describe a group of political values and ideas emerging in the US
Combination of neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism
What is Thatcherism?
Associated with Margaret Thatcher
.dogmatic
.advocates for radical change
.individualistic
.favours a free market economy