Traditional conservatism (iii): response to egalitarianism and fascism Flashcards
Two seismic events…
During the 20th century, political debate was reshaped by two seismic events: the spread of socialism and communism after WWI and the emergence of fascism prior the WWII. These developments were to have a profound impact upon the evolution of traditional conservatism.
Threat posed by egalitarianism…
For most of the 20th century, conservatives regarded the existence of the Soviet Union as the most powerful example of the threat now posed by egalitarianism - an ideology, enfolding socialism and communism, which inherently challenged conservatism’s belief in property, hierarchy and modest reform.
In the UK, the conservative fear of egalitarianism was underlined by the extension of the franchise in 1918 (flooding the electorate with working class voters) and the accelerated growth of a new political party - Labour - committed to wholesale common ownership. Indeed, until the late 20th century, it was common for conservatives to lament that socialism and communism were inevitable unless stern political action was taken.
Tempering the effects of a capitalist economy…
Traditional conservatism sought to temper the effects of a capitalist economy with a view to sustaining a society based on property ownership and inequality. Prominent inter-war conservatives, such as future Tory PM Harold Macmillan, spoke of a ‘middle way’ between capitalism and socialism, one that would address economic inequalities while respecting property rights, cultural tradition, national identity and other themes close to conservatives heart.
Although Macmillan did not become PM until the 1950s, as early as the 1930s it was clear that conservatism was now prepared to sanction a much greater degree of state intervention so as to protect privilege and stifle socialism. Between 1935-37, Conservative politicians supported Public Health, Housing and Factory Acts, all of which checked market forces in the name of social cohesion and ‘one-nation’.
Conservatism taking further steps towards ‘big government’…
After 1945, conservatism took further steps towards an acceptance of ‘big government’. Across western Europe, conservatives seemed to yield to many of the ideas espoused by rival political ideologies, notable those of democratic socialism and modern liberalism, and thus embraced Keynesian economics, ‘welfare states’ and ‘mixed economies’ involving extensive state ownership of industries and services.
To a large extent, this was opportunistic and pragmatic. After all, to give effect to their views, conservative politicians in the 20th century needed to win elections, and elections were now dominated by working class, non-property-owning voters. This encouraged socialist theorists, such as Crosland, to argue that ‘conservatives conserve no principles… they simply go along with whatever situation they inherit, in the interests of winning office and stemming the tide of change’.
Post-war conservatives evolving…
Yet post-war conservatives insisted they were evolving, rather than forgetting, their previous ideological positions.
