CONSERVATISM

edexel

core view of human nature

• fixed and flawed - frailty and human imperfection, rejects malleable or plastic view

• cynical

• sceptical

• forgiving

• communal

core view of society

• rejection of ‘natural’ society

• the little platoons

• the organic society

• importance of tradition

• paternalistic inequalities

• property

core view of the economy

• cautious support for market forces -

• moderated capitalism

core view of the state

• primacy of order

• limited hierarchy

• empiricism, experience and consensus

Thomas Hobbes

human nature: cynical - individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security

state: arises ‘contractually’ from individuals seeking order and security. to serve its purpose, the states power must be concentrated and awesome

society: can be no society until the creation of a state bring order and authority to human affairs. life until then is ‘nasty' brutish and short’

economy: constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order and security

Edmund Burke

human nature: sceptical: the ‘crooked timber of humanity’ is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement. we may conceive of perfection but are unable to achieve it.

state: should be constitutional, but driven by aristocratic elite, reared to rule in the interest of all

society: organic, compromising a host of small communities (little platoons) which check the power of the state

economy: trade should involve organic free markets and laissez-faire capitalism

Michael Oakeshott

human nature: forgiving - mainly benevolent, especially when focused on the routines of everyday life

state: should be guided by tradition and practical concerns. Pragmatism, not dogmatism, should be its watchword

society: localised communities are essential to humanities survival and wellbeing

economy: free markets and volatile and unpredictable they may require pragmatic moderation by the state

Ayn Rand

human nature: objectivist - we are guided by rational self-interests and the pursuit of self-fulfilment

state: should confine itself to law, order and national security. Any attempt to promote ‘positive liberty’, via further state intervention should be resisted.

society: so far as it exists, society is atomistic: the more sum total of its individuals. any attempt to restrict in the name of society should be challenged.

economy: free-market capitalism is an expression of individualism and should not be hindered by the state.

Robert Nozick

human nature: egoistical - individuals are driven by a quest for ‘self-ownership’ allowing them to realise their full potential

state: ‘minarchist’ state should merely outsource, renew and reallocate contracts to private companies providing public services

society: should be geared to individual self-fulfilment. may lead to small, variable communities reflecting their members diverse tastes and philosophies

economy: minarchist state should detach itself from, the economy. marely arbitrating disputes between private economic organisations

types of conservatism

• traditional

• new right

• neo-conservatism

• neo-liberalism

traditional conservatism

• Thomas Hobbes, Edmund Burke and Michael Oakeshott

it has constantly evolved, making cumulation of responses to:

• ensure that change is orderly and non revolutionary

• ensure private property is preserved

• ensure tradition and customs are respected wherever possible

Response to English civil war: stress on authority (maintenance of peace and security)

Response to the French revolution: stress on evolutionary change (change to conserve)

response to industrialisation: stress on ‘one nation’

response to democratic socialism: stress on the middle way

Neo-conservatism

reasserting the importance of order, authority and a strong formidable state. wished to reassert Christian morality

variety of approaches like Thatcher’s and Reagans:

• tougher approach to law and order

• robust approach to national defence

• less tolerant approach to immigration

• less tolerant ot issues such as abortion, homosexuality and the ‘permissive society’

• promotion of marriage and traditional families

Neo-Liberalism

also reflected by Thatches and Reagan policies:

• reduction of personal taxation

• containment of government spending

• deregulation and privatisation of industries and services from state to private sector.

New right

• Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick

Human nature: stressed our yearning for individual freedom, autonomy and self determination. egoism inspired vibrant capitalist economy, enrichment or society and general contentment

• Rand: ‘I recognise no obligation towards men except one: to respect their freedom’. Nozick: ‘our restlessness quest for self-betterment‘

society: no such thing as society - rejected view of one nation - property is essential to good society

economy: privatisation, deregulation and less state intervention

state: less empirical and pragmatic, more rigid in their objectives and ideological.