Core Values

Question 0

Implications of Human Nature

Answer 0

Law and Order: Criminal Behaviour is the product of human kinds inherent sinfulness. This goes against the liberal view that crime is caused by social and economic deprecation
Government: an excess of popular democracy, the country is likely to be poorly governed. Edmund Burke “Representative owes you not his industry only, but his judgement…. Sacrifice to your opinion”. Govt shouldn’t follow the desires of the people, but make judgements for society as a whole.
Thatcher: She sought to unlock human kinds desire to be free from govt, so that they could pursue individual goals. Tapped into the desire for individualism. (Classical Liberalism)

Question 1

Human Nature

Answer 1

Conservatives have pessimistic attitude in comparison to other ideologies.

• Humankind born with original sin, can’t be modules by society as we all have flaws
• Individuals are driven by appetites for example prosperity
• Human nature not constant (Karl Popper) there are times were we pursue freedom/individuality or Security/Welfare
• People are self seeking individuals who are untrustworthy therefore a strong need for govt. (Edmund Burke/ paternalism)
• More concerned with our own welfare rather than the communities “no such thing as society”

Question 2

Order and authority

Answer 2

Shortly after the English Civil war in 1651, Hobbes observed that humans desire to be free and able to exercise their own rights. Humans are also competitive and self-seeking individuals therefore if this continued on life would become ‘nasty, brutish and short’. Therefore individuals would need to sacrifice much of its freedom and rights in favour of security via Government.

Question 3

Examples of Tradition

Answer 3

• Govts, ideologies and social change may come and go, but if the monarchy endures there is a sense of security and continuity amid turmoil
• Family as base of traditional morality, which helps generations to hold on to everlasting values
• Tradition means a tendency to conserve what is good and to reform what needs to be improved

Question 4

Tradition and preservation

Answer 4

• The preservation of traditional institutions such as the church and political organisations.
• Tradition accumulates the wisdom of the past and should therefore be respected
• G.K.Chesterton tradition is ‘the democracy of the dead’
• Tradition provides continuity to the past Edmund Burke ‘a partnership… Between those who are living.. Are dead… To be born.’

Question 5

Modern Britain and it views of Tradition

Answer 5

Since the 1980s conservatives have embraced new theories such as economic monetarism, privatisation and opposition to the dependency culture (paternalism).
In the US and France conservatism has proved resistant to ‘excessive’ social reform.

Question 6

Inequality

Answer 6

• 18th and 20th century humankind are born into a hierarchy that was seen as natural and inevitable
• Conservatives gradually modified their view of the natural structure of society during the 19th and 20th century. In the 1980s conservatism abandoned the view of a hierarchical society, but held on to the belief that individuals are unequal in terms of their abilities and potentialities.
• Inequality creates competition and diversity which can be positive to society

Question 7

Human Inperfection

Answer 7

Humans are seen as limited and independent individuals, as they fear isolation and instability therefore individuals are drawn to the safe and familiar