Conservatism Flashcards
(22 cards)
Traditional conservatism
View on human nature
Hobbes- humans are naturally selfish and therefore humans are incapable of making rational decisions that benefit others
Burke- thought that only the ruling aristocracy had necessary powers to make right political decisions
Belief of human imperfection
Traditional conservatism
Society
Only to be governed by traditional structures
Follow empiricism (beliefs based on evidence)
Hobbes- due to English civil war, thought that we should defend the authoritarian power of the absolute monarchy
Burke- thought that aristocracy should rule, fan of noblesse oblige, fiercely opposed ideas around French Revolution, radical change has unintended consequences
Traditional conservatism
Societal inequality
Hobbes wrote that life would be, “nasty, brutish and short” without a state. Wanted a state to act like an awe-inspiring monster compelling citizens into obedience without addressing inequality
Burke believed that society is organic and a self regulating creature where the state doesn’t need to interfere with. Outlined society is made up with “little platoons”, hierarchical, military style, led by aristocrats
Traditional conservatism
State intervention
Hobbes- state should just seek to uphold law and order, by passing laws for all healthy citizens to work
Burke- pragmatically accepted that the state would occasionally need to change in order to conserve eg by expanding its social and economic intervention
One nation conservatism
State
Disraeli thought that lack of instability and revolution could lead to revolution so thought that the state should introduce reforms to improve the living conditions of the poor
Oakeshott thought the state should act as an umpire that upholds rules and doesn’t intervene but may need to guard against votality of markets
One nation conservatism
State intervention
Believe the state should play on active role in maintaining social cohesion, extending rights and reducing inequality
Disraeli- state has a duty to elevate the condition of society
Embraced reforms such as Factory Reform Act 1874 which reduced number of hours that women and children could legally work per week
One nation conservatism
Use traditional conservative principles to justice changes
-Agree on pragmatism and paternalism
R.A Butler believed that supporting state welfare and Keynesian theory on economy with full employment were little more than updated expressions of our belief in paternalism
They welcome change a lot more than traditional conservatives
The New Right
State
-State should limit its role and unleash potential of individuals
The New Right
Human nature
-Optimistic view of human nature
-Humans are capable and rational of governing their own lives without interference from the state or social hierarchies
Rand- “a heroic being, with reason as his only absolute”
The New Right State
Nozick- should have a minarchist state where states only responsibility is to protect individuals from the exploitation of private businesses
Every other state function carried out by the state should be carried out by private organisations
Rands view is similar to Nozicks, she believed in a laissez-faire government which is “small state is a strong state”
New Right key principles
Think individuals are capable of making own decisions
Rand celebrated competition produced by free market capitalism and believed social progress would be accelerated by virtue of selfishness
Liberterianism: reject paternalism, individuals should be trusted to make own decisions, seeks to maximise the freedom of individuals
Atomism: society made up of self supporting individuals who will act in own self interest
Power of individuals> collectives
Comparing conservative ideas
Human nature
One nation: Humans are capable of fulfilling their potential if they are given opportunities but they need some help from the state
Share view with traditional that most humans lack the necessary rationality to govern their own lives
Share view with new right they have faith in the ability of individuals to govern their own lives
Comparing conservative ideas
Human nature
Traditional: humans are incapable of making rational decisions and living peacefully without a state that compels them into order
Shared view with all branches that most humans are selfish by nature
Comparing conservative ideas
Human nature
New Right: have strong faith in human rationalism, believing that every individual can fulfil their potential if they have enough freedom
Comparing conservative ideas
The state
One nation: The state has a responsibility to extend rights and improve living conditions
Shares view with all that the state is necessary
Shares view with traditional regrading an authoritative state is necessary for law and order and that some pragmatic change may be necessary to uphold order
Shares view with the new right which calls for a non-purposive government and Nozicks minarchist state
Comparing conservative ideas
The state
Traditional conservatism: the state has no function beyond imposing order
Change should be approached with great caution
Comparing conservative ideas
The state
The New Right: Neo liberals believe that the states role should be kept as minimal as possible
Comparing conservative ideas
Society
One nation: Macmillian believed that society should be underpinned by the principle of equality of opportunity
Shares view with traditional that society is organic, hierarchy and paternalism help to promote social order. Similarities between Burkes noblesse oblige and One nation calls for the state to improve living conditions
Comparing conservative ideas
Society
Traditional: Hobbes and Burke believe that social freedoms should be extremely limited
Share view with new right that social inequality is both natural and desirable
Comparing conservative ideas
Society
The New Right: Neo liberals embrace individual choice and freedom in society
Comparing conservative ideas
Economy
One nation: Macmillian accepted the principles of a Keynesian mixed economy and a redistributive taxation
Shared view with traditional the state might need to occasionally intervene pragmatically in the economy to maintain order
Shared view with all that capitalism is the most effective and efficient economic system
Shared view with new right that state might need to introduce regulations to prevent capitalism from leading to the destruction of valuable traditions
Comparing conservative ideas
Economy
Traditional: Hobbes believed that the state should pass laws requiring all citizens who are able to work to do so
