Conservatism Flashcards
(37 cards)
the significance of the “politics of maintenance”
Conservatism is a ideology of paradox and it is a case of changing to conserve it isn’t solely about conserving
Burke stated that a “state without the means of change is without the means of conservation”
The change can be seen as ongoing repair
the origins of conservatism?
The origins of conservatism were seen as reactionary, the politics of enlightenment. This was the idea that there was an “ideal” society and one which was by tolerance, equality and individual rights.
Burke was seen as the “father of conservatism”- and saw the importance of valuing change and also being aware of the dangers of it.
how do humans view human nature?
Human’s have a pessimistic view of society, with conservatism being described as the “philosophy of imperfection”.
Hoobes viewed human nature as selfish, calculating and competitive, and he argued that without the restraints as authority human beings would be marked by “envy, hatred and war” and this would be marked by a life that was “nasty, brutish and short”. Hobbes did later place himself closer to liberalism, he did later argue that underpinning human nature was a cold rationality.
Burke rejected the idea that HN was guided by reason and that a near-perfect society could be planned.
Both Burke and Hobbes emphasised scepticism in their human nature.
Burke did not believe that human beings were as brutally selfish as Hobbes suggested, he did also believe that humans were capable of kindness, he did not believe that humans were ruthlessly individualistic, he argued that human beings are naturally communal.
Oakshott didn’t believe about Hobbes and his view of “nasty, brutish and short” and rather a life without law would be “falleable”.
Nozick and Rand also noted how humans have a yearning for individual freedom. The new-right sees human nature as “freedom-loving pack animals”.
Hobbes and the new right saw that humans were driven by self-interest.
key thinker- Thomas Hobbes
in his work of Leviathan he took the sceptical view of human nature, arguing that human nature was needy and vulnerable and likely to commit destructive acts. He asserted that there were no “natural rights” as there was no voluntary arrangements between individuals. Hobbes argued for scarce resources that were governed by ruthless self-interest. There was also a constant fear of violent death. He noted that without formal authority, this would led to uncertainty and war.
Hobbes did not consider human nature to be wholly irrational, he believed that human nature would eventually contract and that individuals would render to a “sovereign state”, this would lead to a society where individuals could resort to society and progress.
Hobbes believed that the state would have to be autocratic, he did not believe that power should be dispersed.
the significance of localism and organicism?
localism- conservatives see society as a collection of localised communities, these provide inidividuals with security, status and inspiration. A key rejection that Burke had of the French Revolution was that it seemed to inaugurate a single, monolithic French society that would override local loyalties.
organicism- they believe that society emerges gradually, this is a key idea of conservative scepticism. They believe that humans have a complex forces beyond the scope of reason. Society is seen more like a plant.
what is the significance of empiricism and tradition?
empiricism- conservatives will be in empirical terms and this means that conservatives will deal with issues in a practical, evidential fashion. This is in contrast to the progressive state. Oaksehott claims that the conservative society simply wishes to “stay afloat”
tradition- tradition is key to the conservative state, they believe that change and reform must be slow not drastic.
what is the significance of hierarchy and judaeo- christian morality?
hierarchy- conservatives believes that the imperfections within society will lead to an unequal society, according to Burke that even in the smallest of communities there is likely to be a top-down structure. This is the idea of paternalism or noblesse oblige.
judaeo- christian morality-
There is a stronger attachment to religion in the conservative society. This seen with the importance being held on marriage and self-contained families.
what is the significance of property?
the view of property is linked to view that conservatives hold about tradition, this the view that property is something that can be inherited. This links to the idea of Burke that society is the link between the living, dead and not-born.
There is a link between property and the paternalism that conservatives support, this is because those who own property have a “duty of care”
New-right conservatives wish to not only preserve property but to extend it. This means that the views of the new-right are instinctive as there is the value of traditional liberty. The new-right believe that such traditional societies provide the security and discipline that individuals needs to flourish.
what is the significance of the order and authority and organic origins of the state?
order and authority- the main goal of the conservative state is to provide security and authority
like Hobbes, conservatives believe that without order there could be no liberty without order and the emergence of clear laws. This links to the conservative idea that he state precedes society.
organic origins- conservatives are sceptical about states that rise suddenly, they believe that such states will be based on ideals. They prefer a state that develops gradually. Conservatives are less likely to wants a codified constitution.
what is the significance of the ruling class and nation-state?
ruling class- for traditional conservatives especially, they believe in a state that is hierarchal. There is also a state that acknowledge the power of a ruling class.
Traditional conservatives were keen to signal the merits of a society
nation-state: conservatives have emphasis a state that is based on nationhood, with Germany/Italy there remains the idea that the nation precedes the state. British conservative strongly believe in the nation state.
For new right conservatives there is the aim to make it “leaner” and fitter in the process. Rand noted that when the “state become flabby it also becomes feeble”
the economy within conservatism?
capitalism tends to widen and nurture economic inequalities and conservatism defends this with a view of laissez faire economics, supported by Burke. Yet, free-market capitalism is full of risk which does not align with the conservative view of supporting stability. Conservatives are sceptical of such ideas as it does not align with their pessimistic view of society.
Traditional conservatives have been viewed as the “reluctant supporters of capitalism” as it requires a positive view of market forces.
The alternative to the matter would be protectionism, when free-market capitalism is tempered by state intervention, this is seen with state- imposed tariffs and duties.
This is consistent with traditional conservatives and their values of the “one nation” and national identity.
Traditional conservatives were also drawn to Keynesian economics
New-right conservatives are more likeable to free-market capitalism, Thatcher and her support of privatisation.
how do the stands of economics align when it comes to the economy?
New right conservatives believe that if the state is not involved in the economy, then that allows the state to be involved in order and security
The new-right also believes that a free-market society will be a properous society, this could promote “popular capitalism” and destroy socialism.
traditional conservatism- aftermath of French revolution
Burke was seen as the first politician who offered a coherent objection to the French Revolution. Burke continued to value the importance of the existing society, one which members of the “ruling class had an interest”. PM’S such as Pitt and Canning also displayed an interest in order.
There was also evidence of the conservative view that we must change to conserve, this was evident with the moderate reforms that took place during the enlightenment, with the view that we must change to conserve. Canning allowed legislation that allowed Catholics to take part in enlightenment.
Peel also supported the Great Reform Act of 1832, representation for the new industrial towns.
Key thinker- Edmund Burke
he was a whip mp and was a champion of a number of radical causes, supporter of the American revolution
He outlined a number of conservative thoughts such as human imperfection, empiricism, organicism, tradition, aristocracy and localism.
Burke stressed the fact that mankind was more inclined to fail rather than succeed. He argued that the French revolution was based on a utopian view of society.
He argued that whilst change was necessary to conserve, change should proceed on the basis of fact and experience
Burke duly criticised the French Revolution
He argued that both society and government was more akin to a plant than machine. He argued that change must be cautious and organic, he was critical on the French Revolution focus on equality, he stated that a ruling class was inevitable within all societies.
He rather praised a society that was made up of “little platoons”, a society of autonomous communities.
is conservatism a ruling class ideology?
YES:
key criticism of the regime
Burke was often sited with such claims as the “father of conservatism”
Conservatives have tended to defend property, privilege and inequality
Conservatism paternalism is seen as a way to make inequality palatable to the majority.
stress on tradition
NO:
traditional conservatives have promoted the interests of the poor to ensure the maintanece of the “one nation”
New right conservatism is based on merit and not aristocracy
Traditional conservatism- the emergence of the “one nation”
The desire for greater democracy in the 1800’s led to further conservative thinking. Disraeli was key to such thinking
Disreali embraced class difference but in a way that fostered unity rather than rupture, this was seen in a light to unite people.
Disraeli updated the organic affinity between the poor and rich that Burke suggested and argued that the nation had a paternalistic duty to “elevate the status of the people”, this was a way to make progress without class war.
They supported state sponsored social reform, this was seen to temper the effects of laissez-faire capitalism
traditional conservatism- repsonse to egalitarianism and fascism
Conservatives await the USSR as the most powerful example of egalitarianism, a society that has both socialism and communism. The conservative fear of this taking place in the Uk was underlined by the extension of the franchise
traditional conservatives wanted to temper with the economy to protect property ownership, this saw conservatives agreeing to state intervention if it was necessary.
The acceptance of further state intervention was valued with the Keynesian economics
christian democracy
Outside the UK, traditional democracy developed differently based on how the country viewed fascism
There was much more fervent views towards the nation state- they are weary of the matter, which differs to UK and US conservatives
There was also the support of suprenationalism- the EU
Though there has been suspicion over how this would affect the nation
new-right conservatism vs the UK
there were fears that market forces could generate gross inequalities in the UK, that would outrage the majority of voters. As a result the UK supported economic such as Keynesian
This was different in the US, there was more emphasis on individual freedom and laissez faire economics
There is also a strong sense of value with the christian morality, respect for marriage and patriotism.
There was a mix between social conservatism and classical liberalism as the constitution owed much its authority to Locke.
key thinker Oakeshott
he brought a fresh view to traditional conservatism
He wanted to change the negative view of human nature that is associated with Hobbes, he argued that most people are “fallible but not terrible” and “imperfect but not immoral”, he argued that whilst a perfect society would not be possible, humanity was still able to secure both “pleasure and improvement through the humdrum business of everyday life”
He tried to make conservatism more optimistic than liberalism and social, as he believed that they focussed on what should be, he argued that this would lead to intolerance.
he argued that his ideas would lead humans to have a better appreciation for life, he argued that conservatives “preferred the familiar to the unknown”.
Oakeshott also criticised “normative politics”, he affirmed that an empirical and pragmatic approach to politics was better
Oakshott suggested that the state existed to “prevent the bad rather than create the good”, stating that the best things in life come from routine
what do the critics of Oakeshott believe?
claim that his philosophy is too fatalistic and undermines our ability to shape our circumstance. People like Nozick believed that the views of Oakeshott were lazy
is conservatism merely the politics of pragamatism?
YES:
Edmund attacked the French Revolution and claimed that it ignored human imperfection
traditional conservatives believe in an empirical approach to politics
tradition conservatives pride itself on flexibility
this is seen by their commitment to certain policies such as laissez-faire faire policy
Oakshott argued that conservatism is a getting by approach to politics
NO:
traditional conservatism is based on philosophically contentious assertions
seen to be a ruling class ideology and a way for the elites to exert their privilege.
may reject pragmatic change if it conflicts with emotions, “humanities love of the familiar”
New right draw upon Neo-liberal/libertarian doctrine of philosophers.
the “crisis of traditional conservatism”
the 1970s saw economic issues such as inflation and unemployment. According to the new right, traditional conservatives were compilcit in the economic issues and the issues of the welfare state- this was because of the post-war consensus and the support of Keynesian economics.
in most of Europe, the reinterpretion of politics was largely resisted, though this was not the case with the UK and US with Thatcher and Raegan.
is conservatism compatible with conservatism?
YES:
capitalism is based on private property which conservatives support
capitalism generates inequality which conservatives defend as “natural”
capitalism has been the heart of economic activity for several centuries and therefore squares with conservatisms support for tradition
capitalism provides the ruling class with wealth
new right conservatism is keen to extend private property
NO:
capitalims is described as economic liberalism- focusses on individuals rather than communities
capitalism creates economic and social division that is threatened bu the “one nation”
capitalism is dynamic and volatile
capitalism tends towards globalisation, undermine the national identity that conservatives value
capitalism creates meritocracy
