Conservatism

Conservatism Key terms

Authority

Those in higher positions are best positioned to make decisions on societies behalf and their legitimacy comes from being high up in the social hierarchy and those below are obliged to obey

Empiricism

The idea that knowledge and evidence come from real experience and not abstract theories

Noblesse Oblige

The duty of society’s elite, the wealthy and the privileged is to look after those less fortunate

Change to conserve

Society should adapt to shifting circumstances by making small changes rather than rejecting it outright. These will preserve the essence of our society if society doesn’t change it risks rebellion or revolution

Laissez- faire

A preference for minimal government intervention in the economy

Atomism

A society that exists as a loose collection of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals

Reactionary

Opposing change in a social economic or political system and preferring society to remain as it is. Indiviuals can also be reactionary in the fact they want things to stay the same and opposing change

Radical

Belief in ideas that favour drastic political economic and social change

Altruism

The belief that humans are not born to be self-seeking but can display fellow feeling, sympathy for others and an instinct to help and cooperate with others

Moral relativism

Questions whether there are any universal terms of individual values in terms of individual behavior eg same-sex marriage

Traditional conservatism

Reaction to the Enlightenment and argued for pragmatism, empiricism and tradition vital to maintaining society

One Nation Conservatism

Late 19th century state interference in economy and society

The new right

1970s neo liberalism and neo conservatism said one nation lost touch due to encouraging too much change

Human Imperfection

Cannot be avoided as humans are selfish motivated by impulse, intellectually imperfect and physiologically imperfect

Tradition

Accumulated wisdom of the past which underpins society and encourages continutiy and peace

Paternalism

Society is arranged in a natural hierachy which the ruling class has an obligation to those below them to help those less fortunate

Pragmatism

Dealing in a sensible way suiting to the conditions rather than fixed ideas or rules

Organic society

Society is not created but emerges and grows like an organism

Libertarianism

Emphasises freedom from interference and minimal state

Anti-permissiveness

A reaction influenced by Christian morality no rights and wrong with more liberal norms

Individual liberty

the rights and freedoms that individuals possess, which allow them to act and make choices independently, without undue interference from the government or other authorities.

Objectivism

a philosophy developed by Ayn Rand that emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and laissez-faire capitalism, advocating for reason as the primary means of acquiring knowledge and rejecting altruism and collectivism.

Co operation

Working collectively to achieve mutual benefit

Revisionism

A move to re define socialism that involves a less radical view of capitalism and a reformed socialism

Class conciousness

A self understanding of social class that is a historical phenomenon created out of collective struggle

Historical maternalism

Marxist theory tat the economic base forms the superstructure

Dialectic

A process of development that occurs through the conflict between two opposing forces in Marxism class conflict creates internal contradictions within society driving historical change

Keynesian economics

Government intervention can stablilise the economy and aims to deliver full employment and price stability

What did Thomas Hobbes produce?

Levithan

What does Hobbes write about?

State

Wass Hobbes positive on human nature?

Skeptical

life without state was ‘solitary,poor,nasty,brutish and short’

No natural rights without the state

What did Hobbes think of the state?

Needed to discern between right and wrong

People need to seek a contract with the state - give up powers for security and order

Autocratic power

What does Hobbes think of the economy?

Without a strong state economy couldnt functin

Who did Burke produce?

Reflections on the Revolution in France 1790 revolution was 1789

What is Burke kniown as?

Father of Conservatism

What does Burke think about Human Nautre?

Imperfect

Gap between what people wanted and what they could achieve

What did Burke think about soceity?

Like an organism and change had to be careful and direction was unclear very important to stick to traditions

Empiricism look at society in terms of reality rather than ideas

What is a quote for Burke about society?

‘Little Platoons’

Who did Burke think should exist in Society and what was their role?

Elites and ruling classes which should consider the interests of everyone- what the french failed lead to revolution

What did Burke think of the State?

Organic and cannot be create through a plan written down and you cant sweep away traditions

What did Burke think of the economy?

Free markets

What was Micheal Oakeshott write?

‘On Being Conservative’

What did Oakeshott think about Human Nature?

Incapable of creating a perfect society but could get pleasrue and improvements through everyday life

What is an Oakeshott quote of human nature?

‘fallible not terrible’

Was Oakeshott optimistic over Human Nature?

Yes

If we focus on the good things that exist rather than the frustation of chasing ideals that cant be reached they can find joy

Who is Oakshott similar to Regarding Society?

Burke

What did Oakeshott value society to be made of?

Local communities

What did Oakeshott beliebe economically?

Free market regulated by state as was volitile

How did Oakeshott approach politics?

Empirically

Pragmatically

Without Ideology

What did Oakshott argue the states job is?

Prevent bad not to create good

Who was Oakeshott criticsed by?

New Right who felt people had the ability to shape their destiny and the government the ability to shape the destiny of a country

What book did Ayn Rand write?

Virtue of Selfishness

What did Rand believe on human nature?

Talented indivuals are key to a nations sucess

Society is reliant on indivuals

What did Rand belive in (key term)

Objective

What ddi Rand think a society was?

A collective of indivuals and doesnt ecist as an entity

What did Rand to do to the state?

Roll in back

Tax cuts

What size of state did Rand want?

Small strong state law and order

What did Rand believe economically?

Libertriansism

What did Rand believe socially?

Abortion
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