4.1 Conservatism Applied Principles

principles of Conservatism

pragmatism

tradition

Organic State/Society

human imperfection

paternalism

libertarianism

Traditional Conservatism definition

opposition to Enlightenment

reaffirm christian values

solidify aristocratic position

ONC definition

Industrial Revolution

response to workers’ conditions

bridging the ‘two nations’

New Right Definition

stagflation

combatted postwar social democracy

rise of the individual and personal responsibility

Thatcher + Reagan era

Human Nature (general views)

psychologically limited + dependent

morally flawed + capable of evil

intellectually limited (the world is ‘boundless and bottomless’)

Traditional views of Human Nature

Psychological: organic society

anomie

community

social order

Intellectually: Pragmatism

incapable of revolutionary change

Morally: paternalism

Original Sin

intrinsic + immutable capacity for evil

tough l+o

hard paternalism

defensive foreign policy e.g. Brexit

Traditional views of the State

fatherly authority: paternalism

duty to act as a parental role model (implement stability and cohesion whilst promoting self-realisation)

in line with beliefs of a natural aristocracy’s responsibility to rule

rational: pragmatic

guided by prior successes

change to conserve

permanent: tradition

long-lived institutions should remain

religious justification

traditional views of society

hierarchical: organic society

living organism

finely tuned

inequality + hierarchy

stable: tradition

centred around institutions

moral guide

cohesive: paternalism

noblesse oblige

soft paternalism (acceptance of natural aristocracy)

TC view on Econ

stable: pragmatic

accumulated wisdom

change to conserve

prosperous: libertarianism vs state int.

middle way between state reliance + anomie

hierarchical: paternalism

‘private enterprise without selfishness’

noblesse oblige motivated by hierarchy and stability (not altruism)

ONC view of Human Nature

Psychological: organic society

anomie

community

social order

Intellectually: Pragmatism

incapable of revolutionary change

greater tolerance for change to conserve

Morally: paternalism

failures of capitalism requires noblesse oblige

moderate l+o

soft paternalism based on acceptance of social class

Bernardo

Reform Acts

Covid + Inflation

ONC view of State

fatherly: paternalism

state has a duty of care

must address 2-nation divide in interest of stability

rational: pragmatism

change to conserve tolerance

untried economic reliance (private enterprise can fund welfare)

state welfare

permanent: tradition

Cameron gay marriage

continued support for monarchy

ONC view of Society

cohesive: paternalism

emphasis on noblesse oblige

response to capitalism

egoistic motivation

stable: tradition

moral society outlined by tradition

red buses + post boxes

preservation of order

hierarchical: Organic Society

natural aristocracy

moral obligation + duty

ONC view of Econ

prosperous: libertarianism v state int.

postwar Keynesian (Macmillan’s middle way)

mixed econ (CTC)

expanded welfare + individual enterprise

hierarchical: paternalism

welfare + moral provisions

Artisan Dwellings Act 1875

stable: pragmatic

CTC

economic policy in peoples’ interest

support from people

NR Human Nature

psychological: organic society

NC societal parameters + authority

NL atomism (counter)

moral: paternalism

nuclear family

strengthened values

60s liberalism reaction

authoritarian - hard paternalism

intellectual: pragmatism

NL: more positive

rationalism + enterprise justifies atomism

NR State

fatherly: paternalism

NC: strong l+o

nightwatchman state

morality

NL: minimal state

rational: pragmatic (+tradition)

arbiter of right and wrong

applying Victorian morals

US: christian faith + tradition

minimal: libertarianism

minimal intervention

tax = state-sanctioned robbery

NR Society

stable: tradition

Church + Monarchy

social cohesion + structure

cohesive: paternalism

protection of property

duty of care in community

Neighbourhood Watch

enforced discipline (hard paternalism)

hierarchical: organic society

strong parameters

community to offset anomie of NL + anarchy

NR Econ

prosperous: libertarianism v state int.

no state intervention

stifles enterprise

prevention of monopolies forming

NHS preserved for patriotic reasons

hierarchical: paternalism

individualism

atomism

stable: pragmatism

upends this due to failures of postwar econ

radical for long term benefit + necessity