Conservatism

What are human natures psychological imperfections?

dependency, crave familiarity + security, like to know their place

What are human natures moral imperfections?

selfish, greedy, anti social + criminal behaviour is inherent not due to disadvantage

Human natures limited intellect

lack intellectual capacity, limited reason, can not make sense of the complex world

Overall view of human nature

pessimistic and immutable

What type of society is needed due to human natures psychological imperfections?

social order, hierarchy prioritised over individual freedom + choice

What type of society is needed due to human natures moral imperfections?

tough law + order, severe punishments + deterrents

What type of society is needed due to human natures limited intellect?

rejecting overarching ideologies, dogmatism, tradition and practicality

Hobbes view on human nature

‘nasty, brutish and short’= life in state of nature but guided by rational thought to create an agreement to form a state

Edmund Burke’s view on human nature

dismissed idea that humans are guided by rationality due to horrors of the terror, focused on Christian teaching of original sin therefore humans make moral mistakes BUT could be kind and selfless if following christian teachings whilst still having a negative nature

believed humans are communal and will form small communities called little platoons

Oakeshott’s view on human nature

‘fallible but not terrible’ ‘imperfect but not immoral’

humans could ‘secure pleasure and improvement through the business of everyday life’

humans are not inherently evil

have preference for what is known and fear of the uncertain

in state of nature = ‘noisy, foolish and flawed’

Nozick’s view of human nature

humans have self-ownership, human nature is not entirely positive

dishonesty, theft and violence are not main characteristics - life, property and liberty ‘could not be taken for granted’

not everyone can be trusted to follow the rules

‘freedom loving pack animals’ - in society communities of like minded individuals will develop

Organicism and society

society emerges naturally after state is created, only changes when needed, based on fragile relationships between its members

Hierarchy and society

human nature is imperfect so not everyone is equal - natural hierarchy, Burke stated those who are ‘wiser, stronger, more opulent’ establish a hierarchy of power

Paternalism and society

ruling class has obligations to society as a whole

Hard determinism - elite decides what is best regardless of what society wants

Soft determinism - elite decide while listening/consulting rest of society

Characteristics of a conservative society

Organicism, hierarchy, paternalism, empiricism, tradition, property

Tradition and society

society should be shaped by customs + habits it has ingrained to provide stability and security, Oakeshott said that conservatives should prefer ‘what has stood the test of time’, if something works don’t change it, Burke said society is ‘a partnership between those who are living, those who are dead and those who are to be born’

Property and society

property crucial to support society’s traditions and continuity, it is inherited from one generation to another - provides stability, property owners have stake in society thus resistant to abrupt change, duty to care for those without

Characteristics of a conservative state

Organicism - state arises naturally before society, responding to human needs + desire for stability

Authority + purpose - no order = no liberty, only state provides necessary order for the rights to be protected

Hierarchy + ruling class - natural ruling class will lead state usually as an aristocracy or oligarchy, trained to rule with paternalistic mindset, prgamatic + practical

Three dichotomies of conservatism

Traditional, one nation (Disraeli, Macmillan), the new right

Similarities of traditional and key conservative views

Exactly the same as key principles

Characteristics of a conservative economy

Laissez-faire capitalism, state only interferes to maintain stability e.g. protecting from foreign powers

Disraeli’s one nation’s similarities with key conservative principles

Human nature still negative, society - empirical, traditional, pragmatic, paternalistic, hierarchy, State - needed for order, security and defence, Economy - laissez faire capitalism

Disraeli’s one nation differences with key conservative principles

Society - nationalism to link the disconnected rich and poor, soft paternalism, greater willingness for pragmatic social change, State - greater state involvement to maintain order (not enabling),

Macmillan’s one nations similarities with key conservative principles

Human nature - mainly negative, Society - hierarchy, tradition and pragmatism, State - at its core still pragmatic (ignoring old traditions due to preserving stability in society), Economy - capitalist

Macmillan’s one nation differences with key conservative principles

Human nature - greater rationality, Society - greater state involvement, welfare society, State - huge state involvement, enabling, not completely organic, traditions abandoned due to embracing social liberalism, widespread welfare programmes, Economy - greater rationality so Keynesian capitalism

New right similarities with key conservative principles

Neo conservative view of human nature, society - social cohesion and morality, fixed social morality to ensure cohesion, State - minimal state in regard to welfare, defence of nation + property, Economy - laissez faire capitalism

New right differences with key conservative principles

Human nature - N-L view of positive individualistic view, rational and selfish for own end, Society - atomistic, meritocracy rather than hierarchy, rejection of paternalism, State - social authoritarianism rather than paternalism regarding social morality

New right key thinkers

Ayn Rand - truth in scientific fact not in collective beliefs so not stock should be placed in tradition, altruism is not a societal demand so no welfare system, ‘virtue of selfishness’

Nozick - self ownership, human nature not completely positive so state is necessary, taxation is theft from the individual