conservatism

what are the three strands of conservatism?

traditional, one nation, new right

what do all conservatives believe about human nature?

all have a pessimistic view that humans are flawed and self interested, except neo-liberals

what do traditional conservatives believe about human nature?

naturally, selfish, intellectually, morally and psychologically flawed

what key thinker supports the traditional view on human nature?

hobbes - humans are needy, vulnerable and easily led astray

what do one nation conservatives believe about human nature?

naturally self interested

what do neo conservatives believe about human nature?

humans are flawed

what do neo liberals believe about human nature?

selfish but can be self reliant and rational

what key thinker supports the neo liberal view on human nature?

nozick - humans are rational, self aware beings with free will

what do all conservatives think about the state?

the state should keep order and traditional values

what do traditional conservatives believe about the state?

believe in a strong state and the importance of traditional institutions - keeps order and protects private property

what did thomas hobbes say about life without a strong state?

life would be “nasty, brutish and short”

what do one nation conservatives think about the state?

it is a neutral agency aimed to preserve social order. should be paternalistic, defend traditional values and institutions and keep order

what did oakeshott say about the state?

“the office of government is merely to rule” - gov meant to maintain order and stability

what do neo conservatives think about the state?

believe in a strong state for law and order

what do neo liberals think about the state?

the state should roll back state interference for economic growth

what did nozick advocate for the state?

only a minimal/nightwatchmen state

what do conservatives believe about society?

traditional and one nation agree on an organic society that evolves naturally. preserve society through a reliance on tradition.

traditional - society?

organic society, hierarchy, any change affects everything so society must evolve naturally

burke society

believes in gradual change - an organic society must adapt and evolve

one nation society

organic society, more paternalism

neo conservative society

preserve society by reasserting authority and social discipline

neo liberal society

reject organic society - disagree with natural hierarchy

all conservatives economy

capitalist private enterprise economy

traditional economy

private enterprise, self interested human nature results in capitalism

one nation economy

limited interventionism for high employment and welfare, mixed keynesian economy

neo liberal economy

states role should be reduced. laissez faire economics

rand economy

called for “full, pure, uncontrolled, unregulated laissez faire”

all conservatives pragmatism

traditional and one nation believe in pragmatic reforms

traditional pragmatism

pragmatic reforms, built on established solutions

one nation pragmatism

reforms reduce risk of social discontent, middle way due to pragmatism

oakeshott pragmatism

people should be guided by pragmatism not ideology

neo liberal pragmatism

minimal state intervention no matter what

rand and nozick

reject pragmatism, purely ideological

all conservatives paternalism

traditional and one nation both partly believe in this duty

traditional paternalism

soft paternalism, noblesse oblige - ‘natural leaders’

burke paternalism

advocates for noblesse oblige

one nation paternalism

reform and social obligation, moral duty to help the poor

neo liberal paternalism

criticise state welfare for dependency culture and high taxes

rand paternalism

rejected gov welfare and wealth redistribution programmes

all conservatives tradition

all rely on tradition and reject revolutionary change

traditional tradition

society relies on tradition. bind society with loyalty duty and affection

burke tradition

respect traditions, but allow for small changes

one nation tradition

maintenance of traditional institutions, provide stability over time

neo conservative tradition

defend traditional values - nuclear family