Conservatism: differing views and tensions (C1.2) Flashcards
(37 cards)
What are the three types of conservatism?
Traditional conservatism
One-nation conservatism
New Right
What is traditional conservatism?
Traditional conservatism is characterised by a commitment to hierarchical and paternalistic values.
- Most closely associated with Edmund Burke, who defined its core principles.
What are the key characteristics of traditional conservatism, in terms of tradition, organic society, change, rationality and hierarchy?
- Respect for tradition and established institutions
- Belief in gradual, organic change
- Skepticism of human rationality
- Support for hierarchy and natural authority
- Preference for empiricism over abstract reasoning
- Belief in the wisdom accumulated through tradition
What do traditional conservatives view society as?
Traditional conservatives view society as an organic entity that evolves naturally over time.
What are traditional conservatives sceptical of?
They are sceptical of radical change based on abstract principles and prefer incremental adjustments that preserve what works while cautiously reforming what doesn’t.
What do traditional conservatives think about humans?
Traditional conservatives like Burke believe that humans are intellectually imperfect and cannot grasp the full complexity of society.
- Therefore, they should rely on tradition rather than attempting to remake society according to rational plans.
What is one-nation conservatism?
One-nation conservatism emerged in the mid-19th century as an adaptation of traditional conservatism to industrialised society.
- Most closely associated with Benjamin Disraeli, who sought to unite the country across class lines – transforming “two nations” (the rich and the poor) into “one nation.”
What are the key characteristics of one-nation conservatism, in terms of change, paternalism, welfare, noblesse oblige, nationalism and free markets?
- Acceptance of gradual change to preserve social stability
- Paternalistic attitude toward the less fortunate
- Support for a limited welfare state
- Belief in the obligation of the wealthy to care for the poor (noblesse oblige)
- Nationalism as a unifying force
- Cautious approach to free markets
When did one-nation conservatism dominate UK Politics?
One-nation conservatism dominated the British Conservative Party from the late 19th century until the 1970s when it was challenged by the New Right under Margaret Thatcher.
What is the New Right?
The New Right emerged in the 1970s as a reaction against one-nation conservatism, which was seen as having accepted too many socialist and modern liberal policies.
What are the two elements of the New Right?
Neo-conservatism
Neo-liberalism
What is neo-conservatism?
Principally concerned with the fear of
social fragmentation, tough on law and order and public
morality.
What does neo-conservatism think?
- Concern with social fragmentation
- Support for law and order
- Emphasis on public morality
- Defense of traditional values
- Strong state to enforce moral standards
- Nationalism as a unifying force
- Opposition to permissive social reforms
What is neo-liberalism?
Principally concerned with free-market
economics and atomistic individualism
What does neo-liberalism think?
- Free-market economics
- Atomistic individualism
- Limited government
- Reduced taxation and spending
- Privatisation of state assets
- Opposition to state welfare
- Support for individual responsibility
What is the New Right often described as, in terms of its attempts to transform society?
The New Right is more ideological than earlier forms of conservatism, rejecting the pragmatic, non-ideological approach of traditional and one-nation conservatives.
- It is often described as “radical” in its desire to transform society according to its principles.
What is the tension within the New Right?
There appears to be a tension between the neo-conservative emphasis on social cohesion and strong government and the neo-liberal emphasis on individual freedom and limited government.
What would New Right thinkers argue about the tension between the neo-conservative emphasis on social cohesion and strong government and the neo-liberal emphasis on individual freedom and limited government?
New Right thinkers would argue these elements complement each other: the strong state promoted by neo-conservatives creates the stable environment necessary for the free market to function, while limiting its role in economic matters.
When did the New Right become influential?
The New Right became influential in the UK under Margaret Thatcher (Prime Minister 1979-1990) and in the US under Ronald Reagan (President 1981-1989).
What is the noblesse oblige, and what conservatism is this particularly important in?
Noblesse oblige, meaning “the obligation of nobility”, refers to the idea that privilege entails responsibility.
- This concept is particularly important in one-nation conservatism.
What does the noblesse oblige hold?
- The wealthy and powerful have an obligation to care for the less fortunate
- This is necessary for social cohesion and stability
- Originally, this meant aristocrats caring for their tenants; eventually, it evolved into support for state welfare provisions
What does noblesse oblige represent for one-nation conservatism?
It represents a paternalistic approach to social problems that distinguishes one-nation conservatism from both traditional conservatism (which relied more on “little platoons”) and the New Right (which emphasised individual responsibility).
What is anti-permissiveness?
Anti-permissiveness refers to the conservative opposition to relaxed moral standards and the expansion of personal freedoms.
What conservatism is anti-permisiveness particularly important to?
This concept is especially important to the neo-conservative component of the New Right, though all conservative strands have some degree of social conservatism.
