conservatism

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts important for understanding political ideologies, focusing on liberalism, conservatism, and historical context.

Syphilis

A sexually transmitted infection that was treated with mercury during the Renaissance.

Classical Liberalism

A school of thought emphasizing individual rights, market economy, and limited government, rooted in the Enlightenment.

Natural Rights

Inherent rights believed to be given by nature or God; key proponents include John Locke.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes government control over economic activity and the accumulation of wealth through trade.

Invisible Hand

A term coined by Adam Smith to describe the self-regulating nature of the market, where individual self-interest leads to societal benefits.

Laissez-Faire

An economic philosophy advocating minimal government intervention in the economy.

Welfare State

A government system that provides social security, healthcare, and education, particularly after the Great Depression.

Neoliberalism

A modern economic approach advocating for free markets, privatization, and minimal state intervention in the economy.

Conservatism

A political ideology that emphasizes tradition, order, and skepticism toward rapid change.

Tradition

The transmission of customs, beliefs, and practices from one generation to another, viewed as essential by conservatives.

Hierarchy and Authority

Concepts in conservatism that value structured social systems and established institutions.

Conservatism Political ideology defined by a desire to conserve, resist, or be suspicious of change, justified through tradition, human imperfection, organic society, hierarchy, authority, and property.

Everyday meaning of “conservative” Moderate, cautious, conventional, resistant to change.

Modern conservatism arose in reaction to The French Revolution of 1789.

French Revolution principles Liberty, equality, fraternity

Rights of Man

Ancien Régime The old order in France defended by early conservatives (monarchy, aristocracy, church).

Edmund Burke Classic founder of Anglo-American conservatism

Critic of French Revolution

Burke’s view of society A partnership between the living, the dead, and the unborn.

Burke on reform Reform must be slow, cautious, and pragmatic

“Change in order to conserve.”

Burke’s critique of revolution Rationalist attempts to remake society on abstract principles like “rights of man” are arrogant and dangerous.

St. Augustine quote in conservatism “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”

Used to warn against revolutionary pride.

Promethean social engineering Attempt to redesign society from moral abstractions

Critiqued by conservatives as reckless.

Conservative view of tradition Tradition represents accumulated wisdom tested by time and should be preserved.

Tradition Includes customs, institutions, values, monarchy, church, legal attire, architecture, social practices.

Why conservatives defend tradition It provides rootedness, belonging, identity, and social cohesion.

Chesterton on tradition Tradition is the “democracy of the dead.”

Conservatism as philosophy of imperfection Belief that humans are imperfect and unperfectible psychologically, morally, and intellectually.

Psychological imperfection Humans seek security, familiarity, and stability

Fear isolation and uncertainty.

Moral imperfection Humans are selfish, greedy, power-seeking.

Conservative view of crime Crime stems from base human instincts, not primarily social inequality.

Role of law in conservatism Preserve order, not maximize liberty.

Thomas Hobbes influence Humans desire “power after power”

Strong authority prevents chaos.

Intellectual imperfection Human reason is limited

The political world is too complex for abstract blueprints.

Michael Oakeshott quote “To prefer the familiar to the unknown…”

Defense of cautious conservatism.

Conservative suspicion of abstract ideas Skeptical of “rights of man,” “social justice,” “equality” when used as revolutionary blueprints.

Organic society Society is a living organism, not a machine or contract.

Organicism The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

Institutions develop naturally.

Conservative view of freedom Freedom involves belonging and doing one’s duty, not merely being left alone.

Contrast: Liberal vs Conservative society Liberals see society as contractual

Conservatives see society as organic.

Conservative view of family Family is natural, not invented or contractual

Product of love, duty, care.

Hierarchy in conservatism Society is naturally hierarchical and unequal.

Natural aristocracy Leadership and talent are inborn qualities.

Conservative view of equality Social equality is unnatural, undesirable, and unachievable.

Authority in conservatism Authority develops naturally and is necessary for order and stability.

Authority vs liberal contract Conservatives reject idea that authority arises from voluntary contract.

Property in conservatism Property provides security, stability, and a stake in society.

Property as extension of personality Property reflects the self; burglary is personal violation.

Property rights and obligation All rights, including property rights, entail duties and responsibilities.

Liberal vs Conservative view of property Liberals: property reflects merit

Conservatives: property ensures stability and social order.

Libertarian conservatism Blend of free-market economics and strong state for law and order.

Economic liberalism Belief in market as self-regulating mechanism delivering prosperity.

Neoliberalism 1970s revival of free-market conservatism associated with Reagan and Thatcher.

Core neoliberal belief Human well-being is best advanced through entrepreneurial freedom, private property, and free trade.

Friedrich Hayek Defense of free markets

Critic of state planning.

Milton Friedman Argued for controlling money supply

Criticized Keynesianism.

Robert Nozick Redistribution violates property rights

“Taxation is legalized theft.”

Ayn Rand Defense of selfishness and laissez-faire capitalism.

Market fundamentalism Belief that markets should structure all aspects of life.

Privatization Transfer of state assets into private ownership.

Authoritarian conservatism Tradition favoring strong, even absolute rule to preserve order.

Joseph de Maistre Defender of absolute monarchy

Critic of French Revolution.

Tsar Nicholas I Promoted “orthodoxy, autocracy, nationality.”

Neoconservatism Reaction against 1960s permissiveness

Strong state + moral order.

Neoconservative domestic focus Restore authority, discipline, traditional family values.

Neoconservative foreign policy Promote democracy abroad

Assert national strength.

Paternalistic conservatism Emphasizes social responsibility of elites

Reform to prevent revolution.

Benjamin Disraeli “Two nations: the rich and the poor.”

Founder of One Nation conservatism.

One Nation conservatism Conservative support for limited welfare to maintain social cohesion.

Harold Macmillan Advocated “middle way” and planned capitalism.

Christian democracy Conservative tradition rooted in Catholic social theory and social market economy.

Social market economy Market economy combined with welfare provision.

Japanese Liberal Democratic Party Example of conservative-style party outside West.

Right-wing populist conservatism Anti-globalist, nationalist, anti-immigration, culturally defensive.

Two conservative futures 1) Neoliberal globalist

2) Right-wing populist anti-globalist.

Renaissance mercury example Shows how ideology shapes what seems rational in a given era.

Conservatism and ideology Conservatism is not just resistance to change but a coherent ideological system.

Which ideology views society as an organism? Conservatism.

Which ideology believes authority develops naturally? Conservatism.

Which ideology prioritizes order over liberty? Conservatism.

Which ideology sees humans as rational utility maximizers? Liberalism.

Which ideology supports minimal state + strong law enforcement? Libertarian conservatism.

Which ideology blends free markets with moral traditionalism? Neoconservatism.

Which ideology supports social welfare to prevent revolution? Paternalistic conservatism.

Quote: “Whenever legislators destroy property… they put themselves into a state of war with the people.” Liberal (John Locke).

Quote: “The state of nature… no one ought to harm another in his life, liberty, or possessions.” Liberal (John Locke).

Quote: “Man is insatiable for power…” Conservative influence (Hobbes).

Quote: “Invisible hand…” Classical Liberal (Adam Smith).

Quote: “To prefer the familiar to the unknown…” Conservative (Oakeshott).