conservatism ideology new right Flashcards
(45 cards)
how is new right different from traditional conservatism and ONC?
new right has strong ideological components, it does not meet the pragmatic requirements as it is driven by belief in ideas not empirical trial and error and seeking rapid change. it is a radical ideology.
what do neoconservatism mainly believe in overall which makes them different to neo-liberals?
they believe in a strong state to uphold society’s morals and enforce law and order, similar to hobbes who believes state is necessary to create moral society. they believe in traditional values, and would oppose things like gay marriage or pulling down slave statues as this is woke.
what do neo-liberals overall believe that make them different to neo-conservatives?
they believe in the free-market and argue that in economic matters the state should do as little as possible. for example, they should tax as little as possible, privatise industries. some believe welfare state should even be privatised like healthcare and education and people should buy through free-market. so economic and welfare state should be limited as possible.
what are the origins of new right?
reaction to ONC which began to stray away from conservative roots. they came to accept keynesian economics which put serious restraint on the free market and welfare state after the war. free market had been a long conserved economic ideology, and people began to agree with HAYES that the rise of authoritarianism/the state led to a reduction in personal liberties. keynesian no longer worked by 1970s due to rising inflation, unemployment, strikes.
what do neo-liberals believe about individualism
accept individualism in economic issues.
why do neo-liberals think individualism is the bets policy?
people should not rely on the state, or others to help them, as people are egotistical and selfish so when given the chance to be lazy they will accept this. the invention of the welfare state may encourage individuals not to work their hardest, and this will not be prosperous for all fo society. without it, people will have to rely on themselves, working harder and as a result all of society prospers. this is radical individualism
why do neo-liberals strongly believe in the idea of self-reliance?
creating a system where everyone relies on their own efforts to succeed is morally good and will benefit the individual, by giving them self respect and a purpose.
smiles book argued that for individuals to succeed they need to help themselves by learning new skills, education and entering businesses. those who were best equipped would succeed and as a result society would be stronger overall.
what do neo-liberals believe about competition
as many struggle to succeed some will come out as winners, and we will all be better off. this is because through competition everyone is striving to do their best so the general level of society is improved.
what are the five general elements of neo-liberalism
-belief in operation of free-market
-reject welfare state
-atomistic view of society
-individualism as we are rational beings
-rationalism and individual choice
what are the beliefs a free market economy will do for neo-liberals
-low taxes as the incentive to work hard and gain financial rewards will be diminished if the outcome is taken.
-low public spending only to have police, courts and army
-entrepreneurship as private individualism investing their own money creates a vibrant economy to benefit all, as wealth in society is not created by the state, rather private businesses.
-social hierarchy, as economy is led by entrepreneurs so state should not impede to restrict freedoms
-free economic choice as you get to spend your money how you choose to so they are anti-collectivism and anti-statism as the state will promote free services thare not free and paid for by taxes
-private ownership, makes you more free as you are reliant on yourself, if you are reliant on others ex living in a state owned house then you are in a precarious position whereas homeowners spend time improving their property
why are neo-liberals anti-collectivism and anti-statism
you have less choice as you are forced to pay tax and you don’t choose what you get in return for this, instead it is chosen by the state. ex: you are forced to pay for healthcare but not a specific type that can benefit from instead the NHS offers you what it can.
-due to public services there is no need or guarantee they will perform well. they are a monopoly under no pressure. whereas in the private sector there is competition so it will produce the highest quality at the cheapest price.
what do neo-liberals believe about the welfare state
-sceptical as redistribution of wealth leads to diminished incentive to create healthy competition. poor people will not work if they are given aid, and rich will not invest as they receive little reward
-dependency culture created as welfare state provides a cradle to the grave, so there is no need to maintain yourself as the state will always help you if you can’t
-welfare state should be reduced in size. if it is privatised then individuals would pay less tax and rather small insurance and this would increase freedoms as they can choose what services they want. private sector would provide this at a high quality for a cheap price due to competition.
what do neo-conservatives believe in the role of the state?
state should be strong and authoritarian, it has an important role in setting moral standards and ensuring social order or the free market cannot survive as there would not be a cohesive society with social order.
what do neo-cons think peoples attitudes shoulld be towards the state therefore?
-have respect for the authority of state institutions(police) have respect for figures of authority in society (parents) respect for institutions that make up (parliament)
-promote nationalism as this creates social cohesion, suggesting everyone has a common interest (onc agree)
-against multiculturalism as other societies may undermine respect for uk democracy law and order
-anti-permissive as it undermines traditional values
-negative vue on human nature as humans need a strong authoritarian state to make them behave. we are potentially violent and immoral and need a strong guiding hand
anti-pemmisiveness is accepted by new right cons but onc disagree
this is as it allows behaviour that has been traditionally rejected to be allowed. like gay marriage, single mums, sex out of marriage. instead we should focus on maintaining traditional values, and return to a previous time were things were better (this is seen as somewhat reactionary)
neo-cons support for traiditonal victorian family values, state, authority
-encourage familial structures with the father as head of authority
-traditional morality should be upheld and media should restrict anything that goes against this
-no welfare state so poor would remain poor if they had no initiative and would be underserving poor
-respect authority as its key to social cohesion
-tough law and order punishing small crimes to stop progression of more serious crimes, lack of respect would have young offenders sent to boot camps
-uk education should emphasise british history positively and interested in culture wars rejecting woke ideology
what were Ayn Rand’s two books briefly about?
fountainhead- assertion that great men should be great as individualism is better than conformity
Atlas shrugged- due to overly powerful state that regulates too much the economy is om brink of collapsing
what is Rand’s objectivism about ?
people are rational egoists, but the point of politics is to allow people to rationally pursue their self interest in an orderly society
what is rands heroic individualism
some people were nautral leaders and would achieve greatenss through private endeavours in the free markets when pursuing in their self interest
why did rand like the free market and supported it
-allowed indivuals to pursue self interet as they are rational egoist allowing them to flourish
-rich had right to property making them better than others as
-even if ur not cut out to be rich the free market would allow you to find decent work with good wages and the free market’s gppds amd serbices will mean theyll be free too and as we are rational they’ll pursue their best self interest
what sort of role did rand think the state should have?
minimal or maximal
-minimal approach protecting negative/ individual right by stopping cirminal behaviour which would undermine peoples life and property, also portect against foreign invasion
- state is necessary so people ca agree on a set of rules and a power over them to prevent violence or theft, similar to hobbes who saw state as necessary for orderly society allowing a free economy, state should not be authortarian and should have a SOCIAL CONTRACT
state should do no more than this
what did rand reject especially ideology wise
anarchism and libertarianism as the state had to exist to protect private property and individual freedom, a society without a state would end up in rule by gangs. neo cons agreed
communism and socialism stripped you of individualism as you’re forced to work for the good of everyone
what did rand believe about state morality
should not enforce morality as long as you are not harming others do as you please
what did rand think of the welfare state
opposed it due to self reliance being a virtue and believed it restricted freedoms of free market. this would have power over the individual by having a collective provision of goods. it was the enemy of individualism by promoting collectivism forcing people to conform to a system not to their choosing
