P1 Conservatism

What is hierarchy?

Natural social ranking where authority flows from top to bottom - essential for order and stability

What is authority?

Right to rule based on tradition, expertise, or consent - maintains social stability and prevents chaos

What is change to conserve?

Making gradual reforms to preserve essential institutions and prevent revolutionary change

What is atomism?

View of society as collection of individuals rather than organic whole - rejected by traditional conservatives

What is pragmatism in conservatism?

Flexible approach based on practical experience rather than abstract theory - "what works" matters most

How does pragmatism link to traditional conservatism?

Burke's empiricism - learn from experience and tradition rather than rational planning

How does pragmatism link to one-nation conservatism?

Disraeli's reforms - practical social measures to preserve existing order

What is tradition in conservative thought?

Accumulated wisdom of past generations providing stability and guidance for present decisions

How does tradition create stability?

Provides continuity, shared values, and tested institutions that have survived over time

How does tradition link to organic change?

Change should build on existing foundations rather than revolutionary replacement

How does tradition enhance human security?

Familiar institutions and customs provide psychological comfort and social cohesion

What is human imperfection in conservatism?

Belief humans are psychologically, morally and intellectually flawed - need guidance and authority

What is psychological imperfection?

Humans driven by base instincts like greed and self-interest rather than reason

What is moral imperfection?

Humans naturally selfish and capable of evil without proper guidance and constraints

What is intellectual imperfection?

Human reason is limited and fallible - cannot design perfect societies from scratch

What is organic society/state?

Society is living whole greater than sum of parts - individuals have duties to community

How does organic view underpin authority?

Natural leaders emerge and deserve respect - hierarchy serves organic purposes

How does organic view underpin hierarchy?

Different people have different roles and capabilities - inequality is natural

How does organic view create cohesive society?

Shared traditions and mutual obligations bind community together

What is traditional conservative paternalism?

Authoritarian approach - state knows what's best so people must obey for their own good

What is one-nation conservative paternalism?

Wealthy have noblesse oblige - moral obligation to look after those who cannot help themselves

Why do New Right conservatives reject paternalism?

Believe in individual responsibility and free market solutions, not state intervention

What is libertarianism/neo-liberalism?

Maximizes individual freedom especially economic liberty - minimal state interference in personal choices

What moral values does neo-liberalism promote?

Individual responsibility, self-reliance, meritocracy, freedom of choice

What economic values does neo-liberalism promote?

Free market capitalism, minimal regulation, low taxes, privatization

What is laissez-faire economics?

Policy of minimal government interference in free market operations

What is empiricism in conservative thought?

Knowledge gained through experience and observation rather than abstract reasoning

Who was Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)?

English philosopher who argued humans need strong authority to prevent chaos

What did Hobbes believe about order?

Ordered society should balance human need for freedom with necessity of security

What did Hobbes say about human nature?

Humans naturally selfish, violent and competitive - life without authority is "nasty, brutish and short"

Who was Edmund Burke (1729-1797)?

Irish philosopher, father of modern conservatism, opposed French Revolution

What did Burke believe about change?

Political change should be undertaken with great caution and develop organically

What did Burke mean by tradition and empiricism?

Practices passed down through generations contain accumulated wisdom and should be respected

What example showed Burke's opposition to radical change?

French Revolution - Burke warned it would lead to chaos and tyranny

Who was Michael Oakeshott (1901-1990)?

English philosopher who emphasized conservative skepticism about grand political projects

What did Oakeshott believe about human imperfection?

Society is unpredictable and humans are imperfect - politics should be modest and practical

What did Oakeshott mean by pragmatism?

Conservatism should focus on practical solutions not ideological theories or utopian schemes

Who was Ayn Rand (1905-1982)?

Russian-American writer who developed philosophy of objectivism and influenced New Right

What is Rand's objectivism?

Rational self-interest is moral virtue - individuals should pursue own happiness without guilt

What did Rand believe about freedom?

Pure laissez-faire capitalism maximizes individual freedom and economic prosperity

Who was Robert Nozick (1938-2002)?

American philosopher who developed libertarian theory of minimal state

What is Nozick's libertarianism?

Based on Kant's idea that individuals cannot be treated as things or used against their will

What did Nozick mean by self-ownership?

Individuals own their bodies, talents, abilities and labor - state redistribution is theft

Give argument FOR hierarchy and authority

Natural inequality of talent requires leadership, prevents chaos, provides stability and order

Give argument AGAINST hierarchy and authority

Justifies oppression, limits equality of opportunity, can become tyrannical

Give argument FOR tradition and gradual change

Tested institutions work, revolutionary change causes chaos, continuity provides security

Give argument AGAINST excessive traditionalism

Prevents necessary progress, maintains unjust systems, resists social reform

Give argument FOR human imperfection argument

Realistic about human nature, justifies need for authority, prevents utopian disasters

Give argument AGAINST human imperfection view

Pessimistic, self-fulfilling prophecy, underestimates human potential for good

Give argument FOR organic society

Promotes social unity and cohesion, individuals have responsibilities not just rights

Give argument AGAINST organic society view

Suppresses individualism, justifies conformity and inequality, resists necessary change

Give argument FOR traditional paternalism

Natural leaders know best, maintains order, protects people from their own mistakes

Give argument AGAINST paternalism

Patronizing and elitist, limits individual freedom and choice, undemocratic

Give argument FOR neo-liberal economics

Maximizes efficiency and prosperity, rewards merit, provides incentives for hard work

Give argument AGAINST neo-liberalism

Increases inequality, ignores market failures, undermines social solidarity

How do traditional and one-nation conservatives differ?

Traditional emphasize authority and order, one-nation emphasize social reform and noblesse oblige

How do one-nation and New Right conservatives differ?

One-nation supports state intervention for social harmony, New Right opposes state interference

What tensions exist in modern conservatism?

Social conservatives vs economic liberals, traditional values vs free market individualism

What current example shows conservative pragmatism?

Johnson's increased spending during COVID despite traditional fiscal conservatism

What current example shows conservative tradition?

Opposition to constitutional reform and defense of House of Lords

What current example shows tension between conservative ideas?

Brexit - traditional respect for institutions vs populist desire for change