Conservatism- Ideologies

The 3 different strands of conservatism?

• Traditional Conservatism (1750-1870)

• One nation conservatism (1870-2000s)

• New Right Conservatism (1970-2000s)

What do Traditional Conservatists believe?

Preserve tradition and stability through hierachy and slow change, and also a minimalist state

What do One Nation Conservatists believe?

Believe in an interventionist state to keep society united

What do New Right Conservatists believe?

Free market with strong law, order and morality

3 ways conservative thinkers have viewed human natutre? (2019)

• Humans are psychologically imperfect

• Humans are morally limited

• Humans seek individual freedom

What does it mean by humans are psychologically imperfect? (human nature)

Humans are naturally fearful and insecure.

Hobbes (1651)- He argued in his publication that life in the state of nature is '‘nasty, brutish and short’, and humans require strong authority to avoid chaos.

This justifies strong authority and law to maintain social order; humans cannot be left to their own devices.

What does it mean that humans are morally limited? (human nature)

Humans are prone to selfishness and wrongdoing

Burke (1790)- In his publication (Reflections on the Revolution in France) he claimed that humans are falliable (capable of making mistakes), and prone to selfishness due to Original Sin.

A consequence of this is that crime stems from innate imperfection, not society, and so law and order is essential.

What does it mean that humans seek individual freedom? (human nature)

Humans naturally desire autonomy.

Nozick (1974)- In his publication he described humans as ‘freedom-loving pack animals’ who require communities to balance liberty with stability.

A consequence of this is that liberty is important but must be balanced with community and legal restraint to maintain stability.

3 ways conservative thinkers have viewed the economy? (2020)

• Markets reflect human nature

• Property provides security

• Free-market capitalism promotes self-interest

What does it mean by markets reflect human nature? (economy)

People’s desires for wealth drives economic behaviour.

Burke- Argued that markets, free from government interference, allocate goods according to humans ‘love of lucre (refers to a love of money, usually implying greed) reflecting natural law

A consequence of this is that state intervention often worsens outcomes because the free market aligns with human behaviour.

What does it mean by property provides security? (economy)

Ownership ensures survivial and stability.

Hobbes- Claimed that property ensures survival and economic stability, which only the state can gurantee.

A consequence of this is that protecting prroperty is essential for social and economic order.

What does it mean by free-market capitalism promotes self interest? (economy)

Individuals achieve through competition.

Rand (1957)- She argued that laissez-faire captialism allows rational self-fulfilment and competition.

A consequence of this is that economic freedom encourages talent, innovation, and minimal reliance on the state.

3 ways conservative thinkers have viewed the role of the individual in society? (2021)

• Humans thrive in communities

• Humans are rational and self-interested

• Humans need guidance due to imperfection

What does it mean by humans thrive in communities? (role of individual in society)

People are naturally social and gain support from groups.

Burke- Described society as a network of ‘little platoons’ that nuture and guide individuals

A consequence of this is that social cohesion depends on small, organic communities

What does it mean by humans are rational and self-interested? (role of individual in society)

Individuals pursure their own goals and skills

Nozick- Claimed that individuals have self-ownership and are the sole authors of their own talent, which should be free from state interference

A consequence of this is that individuals flourish with minimal state intervention

What does it mean by humans need guidance due to imperfection? (role of individual in society)

Humans cannot always know what is best

Hobbes- Argued that humans consent to a Leviathan a government with absolute authority, designed to prevent the state of natute.

A consequence of this is that it supports hierachal authority to prevent disorder and protect citizens

3 ways conservative thinkers have viewed tradition? (2022)

• Tradition embodies accumulated wisdom

• Tradition sustains social cohesion

• Tradition counters radical change

What does it mean by tradition embodies accumulated wisdom? (Tradition)

Past experiences inform good practices

Burke- Claimed that custom, habit and experience are essential signposts for behaviour

A consequence of this is that it avoids utopian reforms; ensures stability and continuity

What does it mean by tradition sustains social cohesion? (Tradition)

Shared customs provide security

Oakeshott- Argued that humans prefer the familiar to the unknown making tradition crucial for stability.

A consequence of this is that it provides predictability and structure and supports an orderly society

What does it mean by tradition counters radical change? (Tradition)

Prevents dangerous idealisitic reforms

Burke- Rejected the French Revolution’s rationalist ideals as destabilising and unnatural

A consequence of this is that evolutionary change preserves society and prevents chaos

3 ways conservative thinkers view authority? (2023)

• Authority is needed due to human imperfection

• Authority emerges organically

• Authority should be limited to protect freedom

What does it mean by authority is needed due to human imperfection? (Authority)

Leadership prevents disorder

Hobbes- Claimed that only a Leviathan could prevent the ‘war of all against all’

A conseqeunce of this is that it justifies a strong central government to maintain order

What does it mean by authority emerges organically? (Authority)

Leaders arise naturally from talent and experience

Burke- Argued that natural aristocracy ensures those with innate ability lead society correctly

A consequence of this is that leadership should guide in the right way and not be arbitary

What does it mean by authority is limited to protect freedom? (Authority)

Rules should coexist with individual autonomy

Oakeshott- Suggested civil associations (type of society where the government only creates general rules for people to live by) allow independent will to coexist under law without state overreach

A consequence of this is that authority should preserve order but avoid infringing individual liberty

3 ways conservative thinkers have viewed the role of the state? (2024)

• State enforces order and security

• State acts pragmatically

• State should be minimal

What does it mean by the state enforces order and security? (State)

Humans cannot survive without structured authority

Hobbes- Argued that humans escape the state of nature only by consenting to a sovereign power.

A consequece of this is that it ensures life, liberty and property are protected, and prevents anarchy

What does it mean by the state acts pragmatically? (State)

Laws should be based on evidence and experience

Burke- Stated that ‘a state without the means of some change… is without the means of its conservation’

A consequence of this is that laws should maintain stability, not pursue ideological goals

What does it mean by the state should be minimal? (State)

Limited intervention allows individual flourishing

Rand- Insisted that state interference undermines individual excellence and innovation

A consequence of this is that it protects freedom and the state only ensures order by allowing individuals to flourish.

3 ways conservative thinkers view private property? (2025)

• Property ensures security

• Property is a natural right

• Property underpins social order

What does it mean by property ensures security? (Private Property)

Ownership allows survivial and stability

Hobbes- Claimed that property only functions securely under state protection

A consequence of this is that it supports social and economic stability

What does it mean by property is a natural right? (Private property)

Redistribution violates individual entitlement

Nozick- Described redistribution as ‘legalised theft’ and a violation of self ownership

A consequence of this is that it justifies a minimal state, and that property rights must never be dishonoured.

What does it mean by property underpins social order? (Private preperty)

Prevents concerntration of power

Oakeshott- Argued that a wide distribution of property prevents arbitary political dominance.

A consequence of this is that it balances freedom and stability and also reduces arbitary control.

3 ways conservative thinkers view capitalism? (Hasn’t come yet)

• Capitialism reflects human self-interest

• Captialism promotes freeodm

• Capitalism requires law and order

What does it mean by capitalism reflects humans self interests? (Capitalism)

Competition drives wealth creation

Burke- Claimed that market forces reflect humans’ natural ‘love of lucre’

A consequence of this is that wealth creation benefits society, and also there should be minimal interference

What does it mean by capitalism promotes freedom? (Capitalism)

Individuals flourish by managing their own property.

Nozick- Argued that property and voluntary exchange allows individuals to realise their talents

A consequence of this is that is enables personal autonomy, and reduces state dependence

What does it mean by capitalism requires law and order? (Capitalism)

Security is needed for economic activity

Hobbes- Stated that lasting economic activity requires the protection of a sovereign

A consequence of this is that the state ensures property protection and contract enforcement in order to make markets function

3 ways in which conservatism can be viewed as an ideology of pragmatism? (Hasn’t come up yet)

• Guided by experience, not ideology

• Humans’ limits justify incrementalism

• Tradition guides practical governance

What does it mean by guided by experience, not ideology? (Conservatism can be viewed as pragmatic)

Policy should be practical not abstract

Burke- Argued ‘Change to Conserve’, highlighing pragmitism over ideology

A consequence of this could be that policies are practical and tested

What does it mean by humans’ limits justify incrementalism? (Conservatism can be viewed as pragmatic)

Avoid radical change due to human fallibility

Oakeshott- Claimed humans cannot fully comprehend politcs as it is ‘boundless and bottomless’

A consequence of all of this could be that reform should be evolutionary, as it avoids unintended consequences

What does it mean by tradition guides practical governance? (Conservatism can be viewed as pragmatic)

Past practices inform good policy

Burke- Maintained that custom, habit and experience provide safe guidance for action

A consequence of this is that it ensures continuity, social cohesion, and pragmatic balance between freedom and order.