B.2.2 What are the differing views & tensions within conservatism?

Question 1

State the three branches of conservatism

Answer 1

Traditional conservatism, One nation conservatism, The ‘new right’

Question 2

Are there any sub-branches?

Answer 2

Yes, the ‘new right’ is known for the neo-liberalists & neo-conservatives

Question 3

Explain traditional conservatism

Answer 3

• at the core of this idea is pragmatism
• particularly associated with Edmund Burke who wrote ‘Reflections on the revolution in France” in 1790, this was written in a period of social & political turmoil
• this conservatism therefore rejects radical change
• favours the “tried” over the “untried”
• places great emphasis on tradition, rejecting ideology
• tradition leads to social stability & social cohesion: an organic society
• therefore, in the period 1790-1865 this meant preserving traditional institutions such as the monarchy, the HoL and the CofE
• it meant support for the aristocracy - hierarchy, authority
• change should be natural, cautious & peaceful
• changes that do not meet these criteria will end in situations such as the French Revolution & Russian Revolution; however, this does not mean that the wealthy would ignore the poor: this links to the idea of ’noblesse oblige’, which links to the idea of paternalism

Question 4

Explain ‘one nation’ conservatism

Answer 4

• similar to traditional conservatism through pragmatism
• change should be natural, cautious & peaceful
• however, change is needed as conservatives need to ensure all in society are looked after i.e. the less well off
• otherwise, society splits into “two nations” - Disraeli
• this quote links to paternalism AND pragmatism
• Disraeli, decisions to pass the 1867 Reform Act through Parliament in his first term as PM: this law gave the vote to some working-class men in the cities & towns
• this was called ‘tory democracy’
• BUT, one nation conservatism is best seen in his Crystal Palace speech of 1872 (also made a similar speech in Manchester): this represented a move away from Burke’s conservatism
• in terms of what had changed since 1790, industrialisation