Conservatism

Question 1

Pragmatism

Answer 1

Flexible approach to society with decisions made on the basis of what works

Question 2

Tradition

Answer 2

Accumulated wisdom of past societies and a connection between the generations

Question 3

human imperfection

Answer 3

humans are flawed which makes them
incapable of making good decisions for themselves

Question 4

organic society/state

Answer 4

society/state is more important than
any individual parts

Question 5

paternalism

Answer 5

benign power exerted from above by the state,
that governs in the interests of the people

Question 6

libertarianism (specifically neo-liberalism)

Answer 6

Prioritises free-market capitalism, minimal state intervention and individual responsibility to maximise autonomy and free choice, mainly in the economy

Question 7

How does pragmatism link to traditional conservative philosophy

Answer 7

Burke- pragmatism an essential element in facilitating ‘natural’ or inevitable change within a state or society.
-Change should not be opposed because a state ‘without the means of some change is without means of its conservation’ (Burke)- has to adapt to some extent.
-Cautious pragmatism would bring about necessary change peacefully, through evolution, whereas the pursuit of revolution or reaction would lead to conflict and class.
-Key features of society- order, property, tradition and established institutions can only be preserved through pragmatic policy that recognises when it is necessary to change to conserve.

Question 8

How does pragmatism link to one-nation philosophy

Answer 8

Pragmatic ‘middle way’ approach to the economy that combines market competition with government regulation.
-Argue that this moderate economic course promotes growth and social harmony by encouraging wealth creation through private enterprise and generating funding for state welfare programmes.

Question 9

How does tradition create stability

Answer 9

providing a sense of continuity, order, and a shared cultural identity. ->can provide a foundation for social cohesion
E.g. monarchy, old schools/ unis+ religion

Question 10

How does tradition link to organic change

Answer 10

-Organic change is the idea that social change should not be radical, or mechanistic
-society evolves through an organic process, and political processes and leaders emerge as a result of this organic process.

Question 11

How does tradition enhance humans’ security

Answer 11

-Tradition fosteres social cohesion and security because it offers humans a reassuring collective sense of who they are, and establishes powerful ties between people and specific societies.
-Any attempt to implement radical, wide-ranging change will cut people off from the ‘traditional’ basis of society and lead to instability, anxiety and insecurity.

Question 12

Psychological imperfection

Answer 12

-Humans are psychologically imperfect we are irrational.
-We behave in ways that are familiar and comforting, rather than in practical ways
-Humans are attracted to safety, comfort and order, rather than radical ideas and change.
->So, order and hierarchy in society should be preserved.
Institutions that protect order and hierarchy should be preserved.

Question 13

Moral imperfection

Answer 13

-Humans have flawed characters and sometimes act irrationally
->leads to a conservative view of crime as being a result of a flawed moral characteristic, rather than inequalities in the world.
Conservatives believe in behaviour regulation through the law (anti-permissiveness) as a solution

Question 14

Intellectual imperfection

Answer 14

-Human rationality is imperfect and unreliable, ->intellectually imperfect.
-The world is more complicated than our intellects are able to comprehend.
-we are unable to fully understand the society around us

Question 15

How does organic society link to the underpinning of the beliefs of authority and hierarchy and a cohesive society

Answer 15

-links to the conservative beliefs in authority, because those in authority are there because they are society’s natural leaders.
-links to a cohesive society because it suggests state unity is more important than disagreements between the state’s individual parts.

Question 16

Change to conserve

Answer 16

believe in adapting to changing circumstances in society, as long as adaptations conserve the principles of social order, hierarchy and tradition.
->many conservatives favour gradual and evolutionary change

Question 17

Traditional paternalism

Answer 17

the idea that the state knows best and therefore everyone has to do as the state says
->authoritarian approach

Question 18

One-nation conservatism

Answer 18

Has roots in the idea of noblesse oblige - the obligation of the aristocracy and upper classes to look after the working classes and less fortunate.
rejected many paternalist ideas - instead there was a focus on individualism.
The individual had a responsibility to look after themselves and their family.

Question 19

Why is paternalism rejected by New Right Conservatives

Answer 19

Believe government intervention in the economy leads to inefficient outcomes for all, and that the welfare state deceases ppl’s motivations and promotes a ‘dependency culture’, where people rely on state ‘handouts’ rather than working for themselves.

Question 20

What are the moral and economic values associated with the idea of libertarianism

Answer 20

State- ‘night-watchman state’ - where the only functions of the state are to protect private property and maintain law and order.
Economy- free market economy, believing that individuals should be responsible for their own economic choices so no govt intervention (Laissez-faire)
Moral values- support freedom from government intervention in an individual’s personal life-> anything that does not harm others
-> goes against conservative idea of anti-permissiveness

Question 21

Atomism (aka egoistical individualism)

Answer 21

idea that society is made up of individuals who look after themselves-> associated with new right conservatism
links to Ayn Rand’s idea of selfishness as a positive trait.
->believed that we should seek to look after own interests, instead of relying on the state.

Question 22

Hierarchy

Answer 22

-Conservatives believe that society is naturally hierarchical, with inequalities and different classes
hierarchical structures are the best political systems and structures.
->fairest and most beneficial to the people inside them.

Question 24

Authority

Answer 24

linked to ideas of paternalism and hierarchy - there should be a social structure with people in charge of others, and those people act in the best interests of those they have authority over.
-links to ideas of the social contract - by giving up some of our freedom we gain security through law and order.

Question 25

The differing views and tensions within conservatism:

Answer 25

-traditional conservative− commitment to hierarchical and paternalistic values -one-nation conservative− updating of traditional conservatism in response to the emergence of capitalism -New Right − the marriage of neo-liberal and neo- conservative ideas and include: o neo-liberal: principally concerned with free-market economics and atomistic individualism o neo-conservative: principally concerned with the fear of social fragmentation, tough on law and order and public morality.

Question 26

Noblesse oblige

Answer 26

the obligation the rich, well-off and high-status people in society have to help those less fortunate than themselves.

Question 27

Anti-permissiveness

Answer 27

The belief that people cannot make their own moral choices.

Question 28

Radical

Answer 28

The pursuit of extreme political or/and social change

Question 29

Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) traditional cons

Answer 29

Order -In “Leviathan” Hobbes argued that the state of nature made life “nasty, brutish and short” so, a ‘leviathan’ (dominant state) is needed to keep order in society. Human nature -pessimistic view of human nature. -believed that if humans were left in the state of nature they would be violent towards one another and not respect private property. -Without law and order, there would be “a war of all against all”. -believed that order must be imposed on a society to stop the dangers of human imperfection.

Question 30

Edmand Burke (traditional cons)

Answer 30

-disagreed with the view that humans are rational creatures. He believed in human imperfection. -Systems in society should be preserved-> tradition - associated with the traditional conservative view of ‘change to conserve’. -idea of the social contract involves paying attention to “the dead” - learning lessons from history -believed we should follow traditions

Question 31

Michael Oakeshott (traditional cons)

Answer 31

-prefer the familiar to the unknown, to prefer the tried to the untried” and to prefer “the actual to the possible”.(On Human Conduct)-> supported tradition -belives human are intellectualy imperfect-> unable to grasp broad political ideas -believed converatism should be pragmatic -believed state should be maintained+not changed -believed increase state intervention=bad+changing society through social engineering went against conservatism

Question 32

Ayn Rand (neo-lib)

Answer 32

- supported objectivism-> argues we can can gain objective knowledge through logic+reason -pursuing individual happiness is the purpose of life -supported ideas of human rationality-> we should trust individuals to make decisions for themselves -opposed paternalism -rational egoist- believed acting in one's own interest was rational -ethical egoist-believed we are morally obliged to act in our own interest -supported a laissez-faire economic system and believed this was the only way for individuals to be truly free

Question 33

Robert Nozick (neo-lib)

Answer 33

-opposed taxes-'legalised theft'-> so economic redistribution and social justice is theft of individual property -> objected welfare state as a result -supported free-market capitalism ->believed the way goods are distributed in the free market is fair. -disagreed with any policy that meant individuals in societies were used as a means to an end, rather than an end in themselves -believed if the state had control over justice, resources would be given to groups that are important to win elections, such as the elderly. -believed that if the state had control over individuals, individuals will be reduced to having to work for a common goal rather than individual self-determination. Instead, believed individuals should control their own abilities.

Answer 34

Society -Traditional Conservatism sees society as an organic, hierarchical structure where order and tradition are vital. -One-Nation Conservatism also views society as organic but emphasizes social cohesion and reducing inequality to preserve unity. -Neoliberalism sees society as a collection of individuals, prioritizing individual freedom and choice over collective duty. -Neoconservatism values traditional institutions and moral order, sharing traditionalists’ concern for social stability. -Similarity: Traditional and One-Nation conservatives both support an organic society, while Neoconservatives overlap in valuing order—Neoliberals differ significantly with their individualistic focus. 2. The State -Traditional Conservatism supports a strong state to preserve order, authority, and tradition. -One-Nation Conservatism supports paternalistic state guided by noblesse oblige, where the privileged have a duty to support the less fortunate -Neoliberalism advocates for a minimal state limited to enforcing contracts and protecting property rights. -Neoconservatism supports a strong, authoritative state to enforce moral standards and national security. -Similarity: Traditionalists and Neoconservatives both support a strong state for order; One-Nation Conservatives also back state power but for welfare—Neoliberals sharply differ in wanting a limited state. 3. The Economy -Traditional Conservatism is cautious of unregulated capitalism, favoring stability over free markets. -One-Nation Conservatism supports a mixed economy with some redistribution to preserve harmony and social order. -Neoliberalism promotes free-market capitalism, privatization, and minimal government intervention. -Neoconservatism accepts market capitalism but insists on preserving moral values and discipline within it. -Similarity: All accept capitalism, but One-Nation and Traditionalists favor regulation, while Neoliberals oppose it; Neocons lie between, valuing markets but fearing moral decay. 4. Human Nature -Traditional Conservatism views human nature as inherently flawed and in need of control through authority and tradition. -One-Nation Conservatism agrees that humans are imperfect but believes guidance and welfare can encourage responsibility. -Neoliberalism sees humans as rational, self-interested individuals capable of making free choices. -Neoconservatism aligns with the traditional view that people are morally weak and need firm discipline and social order. -Similarity: Traditionalists and Neoconservatives share a pessimistic view of human nature; One-Nation is slightly more optimistic, and Neoliberals sharply differ with a more positive, individualistic view.