Core Ideas: Conservatism

Conservatism

an ideology based on the idea to conserve every aspect of life with as little change as possible

origin of traditional conservatism

originated as a reaction against the Enlightenment and sought to preserve hierarchy, monarchy, and established institutions

origin of classical liberalism

emerged in opposition, emphasized meritocracy, individual liberty, and limiting state interference

classical liberals and traditional conservatives: agree

• hierarchy exists

• need for a military to defend the country from other nations’ elites

• like the appeal of hierarchial capitalism

classical liberals: disagree

classical liberals

hierarchy based on merit

can earn way up it if talented

hierarchy is man-made

military not used on monarchy and Church

parliament is sovereign

state get out of the way

traditional conservatives: disagree

traditional conservatives

hierarchy based on birth

hierarchy is natural and God-given

a state to control people’s lives

capitalism is bad as it is too meritocratic

monopoly

human imperfection

conservatives AGREE	conservatives DISAGREE
Humans are flawed, irrational, and require strong authoritarian order	Without clear structure, society and the natural order would collapse into chaos Traditional and One Nation see human nature as weak and thus the state is necessary to guide and protect the flawed masses Neoliberals reject this, believing individuals can be rational through empiricism Neoconservatives law & order to control immorality

tradition

conservatives AGREE	conservatives DISAGREE
value because it provides stability, identity and legitimacy society should be shaped by past wisdom rather than abstract ideologies	Traditional believe in preserving existence institutions and customs One nation support change to conserve, adapting traditions for social stability Neoconservatives defend traditional moral values except laissez-faire economics Neoliberals reject tradition when it restricts individual liberty, favouring progress and market driven change

pragmatism

conservatives AGREE	conservatives DISAGREE
decision-making should be practical, not ideological, to ensure stability and avoid unnecessary disruption	Traditional and One nation embrace pragmatism, adjusting policies based on experience Neoconservatives are ideological about morality, insisting on anti-permissiveness Neoliberals reject pragmatism in economics, advocating radical laissez-faire policies regardless of social consequences

paternalism

conservatives AGREE	conservatives DISAGREE
some degree of authority and leadership is necessary to maintain stability, as individuals do not always act in their best interest	Traditional and One Nation support paternalism, with noblesse oblige justifying elite intervention to help the poor Traditional with hard paternalism and one nation with soft paternalism Neoconservatives endorse hard paternalism but reject economic paternalism Neoliberals oppose entirely, arguing for an atomistic society to be self-reliant and state intervention undermines negative freedom

organic state + society

conservatives AGREE	conservatives DISAGREE
society is natural and hierarchal, with interdependent relationships between individuals and institutions ensuring order	Traditional and one nation argue society evolves naturally under state most preserved- organic Neoliberals believe in atomistic society Neoliberals are libertarian Neoconservatives favour authoritarian measures to uphold social cohesion

libertarianism

conservatives AGREE	conservatives DISAGREE
accept some level of economic freedom to ensure stability and prosperity	Traditional and one nation believe in regulated capitalism to avoid social divisions Neoconservatives endorse economic freedom but rejects social libertarianism, promoting state enforced morality Neoliberal support laissez-faire capitalism and a minimal state, opposing all state interference