The origins and development of the Conservative Party Flashcards
Conservatism’s origins…
Conservatism in the UK has its origins in the conflict that raged during the 17th century over the role and authority of the monarchy. Those who supported royal authority became known as ‘Tories’. However, it became clear that supporters of Parliament and democracy were gaining the upper hand over the royalist Tories (known as the ‘Whigs’).
Industrialisation and the growth of international markets, the capitalist middle-classes grew in size and influence. They challenged the traditional authority of the aristocracy and landed gentry. The Whigs represented the middle-classes while the Tories represented the landed gentry. The Tories were becoming known as conservatives due to their resistance to the new political structures and wished to ‘conserve’ the dominant position of the upper classes.
In the 19th century, conservatism began to develop into something closer to the movement recognised today. Sir Robert Peel is known as the first Conservative Party PM, and him and Benjamin Disraeli formed the party, basing it on traditional conservative ideas.
Conservative Party’s main objectives included:
> preventing the country from falling too far into inequality
> preserve the unity of the United Kingdom
> preserve order in society
One-nation conservatism principles…
> Strong law and order to control society
> The preservation of tradition
> An organic society with rich and poor bound to each other
> The theory of noblesse oblige
> Pragmatic, rather than ideological, responses to issues
> Faith in property and home ownership as a means to creating an ordered society
Noblesse oblige…
A term meaning those of a higher social standing, i.e. the nobility, have a moral duty or ‘obligation’ to help those of a lower social standing who, through no fault of their own, have fallen on hard times or found themselves in a difficult situation.
New Right conservatism (Thatcherism)…
The term ‘New Right’ was used to describe a set of political values and ideas emerging in the USA in the 1970s and 1980s. It was a reaction against socialist ideas gaining ground in Europe, Asia, and South America, and against traditional conservative values that were considered too weak to deal with contemporary economic and social policies.
It was mainly associated in the USA with President Ronald Reagan and in the UK with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The movement can be divided into two different aspects - neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism.
Principal ideas of neo-liberalism…
> The state should disengage from political management
> Markets should not be regulated by the state
> Trade unions hinder economic development, making everyone poorer
> Welfare benefits are detrimental and produce a dependency culture
> High taxation is a disincentive to work and productivity
Neoliberals within the modern Conservative Party…
Neoliberal politicians within the modern Conservative Party propose:
> reducing direct taxes
> privatising industries that have been taken over by the state, such as transport and energy
> reducing welfare benefits
> curbing the power of trade unions
In addition, they propose allowing the economy to find its own natural level, even during recessions, rather than the state actively trying to control economic activity.
Key principles of neo-conservatism…
> Belief in the promotion and advancement of traditional moral values to ensure a stable society
> A requirement for strong forces of law and order in an authoritarian state to impose social morality
> Nationalism, believing that national pride and unification are the best way to maintain a stable society
> Distrust of multinational organisations like the EU or UN, believing that the pursuit of the national interest should always take priority
