conservatism

tradition definition

anything passed down from the past to the present

organic society definition

society as a living entity with all parts working together in harmony. if this is disturbed, society will be undermined

pragmatism definition

change only in order to conserve

give an example of pragmatism

Johnson's furlough scheme during lockdown. Involved state intervention (change) but to keep social order

human imperfection definition

humans are flawed, which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves

paternalism definition

power/authority exercised over others with the intention of preventing harm

hard paternalism

authoritative, agressive

soft paternalism

compassion

libertarianism

range of theories that give strict priority to negative liberty over authority, tradition, and society

why does tradition reflect faith

because everything is 'God given'

Burke and tradition and faith

believed in the 'law of our creator' calling it 'natural law'

view on humans tampering with the world

likely to make human affairs worse than better

what is modern tradition

most conservatives support tradition without needing to argue it has divine origins. modern tradition is man made- since the 18th century it's been difficult to maintain decisions of God and so old traditions have been replaced by new ones eg. universal suffrage

Burke describes society as a partnership quote

between 'those who're living, those who're dead, and those who're born'

how does G.K Chesterton define tradition and analyse

as 'democracy of the dead'. tradition therefore reflects the accumulated wisdom of the past

Darwinian belief on tradition

endorsed by natural selection, these traditions have survived because they've been proved to be of value

monarchy and tradition

embodies historical wisdom and experience with national identity and respect above party politics

what is the link between tradition and identity

provides people with a feeling of 'rootedness and belonging'

view on change

it's a journey into the unknown, creating uncertainty and danger to happiness

empiricism

basing actions on experience

TC view on pragmatism

• focalised on Burke: 'change in order to conserve'

• change should not be opposed

• key features of society can only be maintained through pragmatic policies

Burke's argument on why change shouldn't be opposed

as state 'without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation'

TC view on tradition

• firm supporters

• 'democracy of the dead'- G.K Chesterson

• generates social cohesion by making people feel connected to something bigger

• change endangers happiness by creating uncertainty and insecurity

TC on human imperfection

psychologically imperfect:

• belief that humans seek security and belonging led to emphasis on social order and suspicions on liberty

• Hobbes and order only possible when humans abandon their natural selfishness to a higher sovereign

Hobbes quote on human imperfection

a society without a sovereign would be a 'war of every man against every man' and live in 'continual fear, and danger of violent death'

TC view on organicism

· The unity of society is more important than the rights of any individual
· This is maintained by a delicate set of relationships which, if disturbed, will undermine society, leading to its breakdown

TC on hierarchy

support a fixed social hierarchy
- there's a natural inequality of wealth and social position, justified by a corresponding inequality of social responsibilities

Burke on TC hierarchy

'the wiser, stronger, and more opulent' are at the top

TC on paternalism

· Those in higher positions have greater wisdom and know what's best for the whole of society
· It's therefore the duty of the rest of society to obey those 'above them'
· Modern examples include compulsory wearing of seat belts and the govs response to Covid

TC on economy and property

· Property ownership is an extension of one's personality
> a home is the most personal of possessions
· strong defenders of pp and cautious of gov economic intervention

why does Burke caution govs against state intervention

as it could make it harder for consumers and producers to 'mutually discover each other's want's

TC on Libertarianism

· Reject ideas of libertarianism
· Where libertarianism highlight freedom of the individual, traditional conservatives value stability and continuity

ONC origins

· Traced back to Benjamin Disraeli, UK PM who emphasised the principle of social obligation
· Drew attention to the danger of Britain being divided into two: the rich and poor
- noblesse oblige

What did Disraeli write Britain being divided into two

· 'two nations... who are as ignorant of each other's habits, thoughts and feelings, as if they were ... inhabitants of different planets'

noblesse oblige definition

the duty of the wealthy and privileged to look out for those less fortunate

ONC on pragmatism

· The revolutions that had broken out in Europe in 1830 and 1848 bore out Disraeli's belief that there was growing social inequality
· He said: 'the palace is not safe when the cottage is not happy'

ONC on tradition

· Disraeli was concerned that society would fracture if capitalism was left to its own devices
· Consequently, his reforming agenda was successful in satisfying the WC while maintaining the status quo for the ruling elite

ONC on organic society, authority, and hierarchy

· Disraeli believed the problems created by capitalism were everyone's responsibility
· He appealed to the moral values of the aristocracy with noblesse oblige
· Burke said 'society is indeed a contract'

ONC on paternalism

· Had to soften their approach to persuade people that it was beneficial for everyone
· Paternalism thus moved away from a 'father knows best' approach to a 'we can look after you' approach
· Disraeli committed his gov to improve the conditions of the WC
· They were very popular among the newly enfranchised WC and some would argue it prevented rebellion or revolution

ONC on human imperfection

Intellectual imperfection:
· Paternalistic approach
> because humans lack the intellectual ability and powers of reasoning to fully comprehend the complexities of the world
> ideologies are based on flawed reasoning and cannot ever really be relied upon
· Has led to the argument that conservatism is an outlook, not an ideology
> Oakeshott said it's more 'psychology than ideology'

purpose of ONC

to consolidate hierarchy rather than remove it

ONC on economy and property

· Disraeli was famous for the 1867 extension of the franchise to some WC men
· Also responsible for laws to improve housing, sanitation, and factory reforms

what did Disraeli write to a friend regarding ONC and economy and property

these acts 'will gain and retain for the Conservatives the lasting affection of the working classes'

ONC resurfacing under Cameron

with the notion of 'compassionate conservatism'

ONC on libertarianism

· Rejects premise of atomistic individualism and human rationality
· in favour of a pragmatic, organic, paternalist approach to society

The New Right strands

CNR as social policy strand, LNR as economic strand

what do the NR strands agree and disagree on

While they agree on organicism, they disagree on equality as LNR believes in meritocracy