IDEOLOGIES - Conservatism Flashcards

Question

[ALL] What is the conservative value of pragmatism?

Answer 1

Conservatives believe, above-all else, that politicians should do what is best for the nation, disregarding ideology and long-term possibilities and should value what they know to be true over what they believe.

Answer 2

The 2nd Churchill government did not dismantle to newly-formed, successful and popular welfare state, despite being ideologically opposed.

Answer 3

Conservatives are sceptical of most fixed political principles, believing that ideologies should come second to pragmatism.

Answer 4

Conservatives, based on their belief in tradition, pragmatism, and scepticism, believe that current actions should be taken on the basis of the experiences of the past, in line with the 'democracy of the dead' and Burke's plea not to believe that the current generation is smarter than the previous.

Answer 5

“Scepticism and empiricism are the foundations of conservatism"

Answer 6

Conservativism arose amid the wild change of the mid-18th century, with revolutions in France and America, as well as growing industrialization, causing great social and economic change. It was also created in a feudal and hierarchical economy, where the aristocracy owned land.

Answer 7

Traditional conservatives strongly opposed state intervention in the economy, with Burke describing Adam Smith's book as 'the most important book ever written' and cautioned the government against inhibiting market forces.

Answer 8

Hobbes argues that humans are naturally imoral, seeking 'power after power', and that, without a state to enforce law and order and a strict moral doctrine, humans would remain in this 'state of nature'. Hobbes also argued that the 'sovereign' must be autocratic as, with power dispersed, the 'state of nature' would be replicated.

Answer 9

Burke originated the idea of human imperfection, using it to critique the utopianism of the French Revolution - instead arguing for pagmatic and empirical approaches to change.

Answer 10

Burke originated the idea of oganicism and the idea of a 'natural aristocracy', arguing that the french revolution ignored the natural state of human organisation and thrust change upon an efficient system. Ultimately he argued it was not the French system of nobility that was the problem, but the failure of French aristocrats to fulfil their social obligations that led to revolution.

Answer 11

"Nothing turns out to be so oppressive and unjust as a feeble government."

Answer 12

Almost all previously stated key values of conservatism are the values of traditional conservatism, with the later beliefs changing.

Answer 13

Disraeli argued that capitalism was promoting individualism at the expense of social obligation; as well as this, it was dividing the country into 'two nations': the prosperous few, and the many poor - Disraeli argued that the role of the conservative is to create 'one nation' by focussing on the welfare of all classes.

Answer 14

- Constitutional unity of the UK (no inpendence) - The Maintenance of great traditions - The encouragement of patriotism - The provision of welfare to prevent excessive inequality

Answer 15

One nation-ers agreed that pragmatism was key to governance, with Disraeli's belief in welfare to avoid a revolution at the core of this and demonstrated by the Heath government's U-turn on free-market capitalism in the 70's.

Answer 16

One nation-ers could not adopt the perpective that they know what is best, existing in a democracy and having to convince the people of their vision - instead, they adopted the perspective that the government was there to support the people rather than rule them.

Answer 17

Its evident in all their philosophies: - Belief in patriotism and organicism reflects psychological imperfection and the need for security - Belief in pragmatism and paternalism reflect intellectual imperfection reflects the oppositin to doctrine - Belief in order reflects moral imperfection and the need for moral guidance by the ruling class

Answer 18

Oakeshot was a staunch advocate of pragmatism and the belief that humans can't possibly understand the 'complexity of reality' and thatwe should focus on the 'art of the possible' based on empircism and pragmatism - with his 'nautical metaphor' saying the job of the government is 'keeping the ship afloat at all costs... and not fixating on a port that may not exist.'

Answer 19

Oakeshott had a more positive perspective, arguing that we are 'fallible but not terrible' and that, though utopia is impossible, we can gain pleasure and fulfillment from the 'humdrum business of everyday life'.

Answer 20

The rise of socialist thinking has led to excessive interference in the market, stifling progress, entrepries, and individual freedom - the loss of economic freedom wil ultimately lead to the loss of political freedom.

Answer 21

The inevitable result of socialism is totalitarianism, with the growing role of the state and organisations like trade unions as vehicles - its ultimate form achieved in the USSR.

Answer 22

Nozick, a quasi-anarcho-capitalist, advocated strongly against a large state, with many politicians at the time adopting similar policies, such as Thatcher's policies of 'rolling back the frontiers of the state'.

Answer 23

The idea that, through lower state intervention in the forms of taxation, nationalisation, regulation, and more, individual freedoms will be at their peak and the internal mechanics of the market will lead to a prosperous and vibrant economy.

Answer 24

Populism is a philosophy that centres on the ability of individuals to 'pull themselves up by their bootstraps'; as an extension, they are suspicious of the power of the state and personal and corporate tax, and are intensely nationalistic. These formed the bedrock of Thatcher's support.

Answer 25

A philosophy that stressed the restoration of authority, national identity, and a society informed by Judaeo-Christian morality. This will be achieved through 'tough-on-crime' politics, stronger nation defence, a less tolerant approach to immigration and general anti-permissive social policies'.

Answer 26

Neoliberalism v. Neoconservatism - Less state v. More state - More individual liberty v. Less for order and authority - No opinion on immigration v. AAAAAAAHHHHH IMMIGRATION - Minimise government spending v. More to ensure security

Answer 27

A natural side effects of free market and individual choice?

Answer 28

The New Right takes on an entirely ideological perspective, refusing all pragmatism in favour of the philosophies of people like Ayn Rand, who advocated for the complete seperation of the state and market 'for the same reasons as the seperation of the state and church'.

Answer 29

Both believe, on some level, in the need for tradition within society - with Thatcher advocating for 'Victorian values' and agains things like abortion and homosexuality.

Answer 30

The New Right believed in radical change in the forms of free-market economics and social authoritarianism, with Rand calling herself a 'radical for capitalism'. This is counter to the traditional respect for the past and institutions which have stood the test of time.

Answer 31

Neoliberals are wildly individualistic, rejecting any notion of society being bound together (Nozick arguing that 'There are only individual people with their individual lives') or that they should look after the less well-off (Nozick calling the welfare state 'legalised theft'). Additionally they believe in meritocracy and self-help over hierarchy.

Answer 32

Neoconservatives believe strongly in the idea of 'society', with Thatcher attempting to reinvigorate the traditional nuclear family and believing in a shcare culture and morality within society.

Answer 33

The hold the belief that the public is not capable of understanding what is best for society and requires the imposition of certain values to be good, with permissive social values having replaced family values. However, they can also be consodered more authoritarian given the little care they put into the effects of their policy.

Answer 34

- Neoliberalism is founded on the belief in rationalism, with Rand as a vigorous defender of the virtues of selfishness and how it can aid in life as a quest for excellence. - Neoconservatism views humans as imperfect and requiring authority to guide them, both to stop immorality and to stop moral pluralism which weakens social cohesion

Answer 35

At the core of successful societies is talented individuals, rather than active governments and the absence of the former cannot be solved by the latter.

Answer 36

Rand was a fierce libertarian, advocating for 'objectivism' (the belief that we should be guided by self-interest) in The Virtues of Selfishness and believing in the philosophy of atomism, such that society does not exist but is a loose collection of independent individuals.

Answer 37

As a libertarian, Nozick believed in a Minarchist state that should let people be 'left alone' not just in the economuc sphere, but the social and cultural spheres too - an idea clashing with social conservatism.

Answer 38

Although Nozick had a very postive perspective of human nature, seeing us as the sole authors of our talents and with the capability to grow them (and, as such, 'tax, for the most part, is theft'), he did argue that the preservation of life, liberty and property 'could not be take for granted' without some formal authority enforcing it.

Answer 39

Need for state to base practice in tradition - Chesterton: “democracy of the dead” - Thatcher (New Right): traditional social value (Linked to belief in tradition, both religious and non-)

Answer 40

Need for pragmatism? Oakeshott (one nation): “to keep the ship afloat at all costs” Thatcher (New Right): more ideological, defunded the NHS, based on Nozick’s dislike of the welfare state (wider disagreement about pragmatism and the quality of ideology) Internal disagreement within the New Right about the size of the state Nozick (neoliberal): ‘roll back the frontiers of the state’ for individual liberties, Thatcher (neoconservative): larger state to ensure order and tradition, Section 28 and backing of police against all forms of protest and disorder (Disagreement about human imperfection v. rationalism)

Answer 41

Humans as imperfect and the necessity of paternalism Hobbes (Traditional): state of chaos and ‘power after power’ New Right: need for strict moral values (discuss types of imperfection)

Answer 42

Do people seek order or freedom? Hobbes (traditional): psychological imperfection Nozick (neoliberal): libertarianism and the want to be ‘left alone’. (wider disagreement on human imperfection) Internal disagreement within the New Right about how individualistic we are Rand (Neoliberal): atomism and "There are only individual people with their individual lives.” Neoconservatism: need for patriotism and cohesive social values (New Right Paradox, link to effect of Thatcher policy)

Answer 43

Need for traditional society that should not be disrupted Chesterton (Traditional): “Democracy of the dead” Thatcher (New Right): ‘Victorian values’ and the promotion of tradiotional family structures, such as with the defunding of the welfare state (link to tradition, both religious and non-)

Answer 44

The person as part of society vs. seperate Disraeli (one nation): organic society Rand: atomism and "There are only individual people with their individual lives.” (Wider disagreement on organic society) Internal disagreement within the New Right about level of freedom for individuals within society Nozick (Neoliberal): libertarianism and a liberal ‘permissive’ society where people are ‘left alone’ Kristol and Scruton (Neoconservative): imposition of a strict moral code (wider disagreement on human imperfection)

Answer 45

Importance of private property All: property as having psychological (identity) and social benefits (stake in society) Thatcher (New Right): ‘Right to Buy’ and the creation of a ‘property-owning democracy’

Answer 46

Pragmatism or ideology Oakeshott (one nation): take what works, “keep the ship afloat.” Rand (New Right): Neoliberal belief in the free market (Disagreement on pragmatism, link to Heath's U-turn in the 70's) Welfare Disraeli (One nation): noblesse oblige and the need to avoid further divisions between the ‘two nations.’ Rand (New Right): ‘dependency culture’ (Disagreement on society (individualism))