Traditional Conservatism Flashcards
When did traditional conservatism originate? Why did it originate?
18th century
a reaction to the Enlightenment and the French Revolution
Who is the main thinker?
Edmund Burke
How do they established order in society, based on what commitments?
organicisim
hierarhcy
paternalism
How do they view society?
- a sort of living organic entity
- complex interconnections and relationships
- based on tried and tested institutions
- radical or abrupt changes are to be avoided, society should evolve naturally at its own speed
How do traditional conservatives view abstract ideologies theories? Why?
can only lead to disaster
why:
- not based on previous human experience
- introduced drastic/swift changes that lead to social breakdown and destruction
Why should society be based upon hierarchy?
- differing individual abilities, ‘artificial’ that all humans should be considered equal
- functional necessity (rewards distributed differently, depending on contribution they make)
How do they justify aristocratic rule?
- its natural
- the upper class had been raised to govern at all levels a - paternalism and noblesse oblige (longstanding practice of elite rule ensured that those in positions of authority could draw on class traditions of leaderships, duty and social responsibility)
What are the 5 features of traditional conservatism?
- living organism/organic society
- hierarchy
- gradual reform
- pragmatism
- tradition institutions
What did the Enlightenment stress the importance of? Why do traditional conservatives reject the Enlightenment’s influence?
stressed importance of human reason and need to examine critically existing ideas
rejected Enlightenment thinking on grounds that it would encourage rapid, incriminate and destabilising change
What was the influence fo the French Revolution?
the revolution violently removed the monarchy and artistocracy
traditional conservatism was a reaction to the French Revolution by British ruling elite.
to avoid same fate as French
