coservatism society Flashcards
(6 cards)
What were their views on ‘natural society’? What were Burke’s little platoons?
-Hobbes & Burke thought that it was not ‘natural’ and did not predate the state. They did not think that society was possible without law and order from a state.
-They thought that individual rights would disappear without law & order.
-The LPs were assortments of local, voluntary, and largely apolitical communities. They are unified by an attachment to one nation.
-The LPs moderate competitive egoism of individuals, and moderate the power of the state. MO, “a strong society protects us from an overmighty government.”
What was the ‘organic society’?
-Society cannot be planned or created, it emerges gradually and organically. This society does require discipline and attention, and so reqiures law & order.
What are their views on tradition?
-Tradition is integral to society, and its success relies on compliance with tradition. This provides habit & security in an uncertain world. Burke emphasised that society should not be based on abstract ideas
- however neither burke nor oakshott seemed adverse to the abstract ideas of christianity such as orignial sin, which led them to believe that christian teaching had a sure understanding of human nature and was therefore the best moral basis of soceity
- by contrast, burke despaired of the atheism fostered by the french revolution, and its certainity that the ‘age of religion’ had given way to a new ‘age of reason’
Paternalistic Inequality?
-Inequality is an inevitable part of society, and is natural/desirable. However, those who benefit from inequality have a duty to those who don’t, otherwis the tension can overturn society. (Noblesse Oblige).
-They have a familial relationship, where “the wiser, the more expert and the more opulent… should enlighten and protect the weaker,” as Burke stated.
- according to burke, if the upper classes neglect this familial responsibility, it will unleash tensions that can overturn existing society.
What are their views of property?
-Stress the value of private property, as it compliments the conservative society. The idea of inheriting property reflects the importance of tradition, property provides the basis for little platoons, and property prevents revolution (as owners think it should be preserved).
What is the New Right perspective?
-New Right view society as atomistic, and made up of various autonomous individuals. They view traditional paternalism as patronising.
-They agree with traditionals about the tolerance of inequality, saying that unequal societies must be meritocratic, and aristocratic. They also promote social conservatism through things like Thatcher’s Section 28.
