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