1.5 - Conservatism
based on a sceptical view of human nature with a preference for stability and a belief in gradual change
its core ideas relate to views about human nature, the state, society and the economy
Pragmatism
preference for practical solutions over abstract theory
society should change gradually to avoid instability or revolution (incremental reform over radical change)
values empirical evidence - politicians should act on ‘what works’
human nature: flawed → need for cautious, practical decision-making
state: should govern cautiously; reform to conserve
society: gradual, organic change
economy: avoid sudden economic upheaval; pragmatic adjustments
agreement - ALL Conservatives accept pragmatism as essential to preserve order in society - Traditional and One Nation conservatives use pragmatism to justify ‘reform to conserve’
disagreement - New Right (neo-liberals) reject pragmatism as they have a more positive view of human nature
Tradition
the “accumulated wisdom of past generations” (Burke) - conservatives believe we should respect tradition
provides stability, shared identity and social cohesion
respect for long-standing institutions (monarchy, Parliament, family)
linked to pragmatism - what worked in the past shouldn’t be rapidly changed
human nature: people seek security and familiarity
state: institutions embody accumulated wisdom
society: organic and stable rooted in continuity
economy: cautious economic reform; preserve inherited frameworks
KEY THINKERS are Edmund Burke - society is a partnership between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born”
agreement - Traditional & One Nation conservatives view tradition as vital for stability
disagreement - New Right value tradition mainly for law and order
Human Imperfection
conservatives believe humans are flawed and cannot be perfected, pyschologically, morally and intellectually
people require strong authority, law and order and stable institutions
society should prioritise order over liberty
pyschologically, humans desire security, not freedom
morally, people are selfish and need guidance
intelectually, humans are limited and can’t understand complex change
human nature: inherently flawed
state: needs strong, authoritative government
society: requires hierarchy and order
economy: scepticism towards radical economic change
KEY THINKERS are Hobbes - life without authority is “nasty, brutish and short”
agreement - all conservatives accept human imperfection as justification for authority
disagreement - New Right hold a more optimistic view of rationality and self-reliance
Organic State
society is like an organism - it grows and changes naturally overtime
individuals are interdependent
social hierarchy is natural and beneficial
‘Noblesse oblige’: those at the top have obligations to those below
stability depends on shared values and traditions
human nature: people rely on structured communities
state: natural hierarchy supports authority
society: cohesion based on shared values and gradual evolution
economy: preference for ordered, stable economic relationships
KEY THINKERS are Edmund Burke - society is a “partnership in all art and science”
agreement - traditional & One Nation conservatives defend organic hierarchy
disagreement - New Right emphasise atomistic individualism over organicism
Paternalism
the powerful have a duty (noblesse oblige) to care for the less fortunate
the state should intervene to maintain stability and harmony
supports welfare and gradual reform within a natural hierarchy
inequality is natural but creates moral obligations
human nature - people need guidance
state - authority acts benevolently for public good
society - hierarchy with mutual obligations
economy - cautious support for welfare to maintain order
KEY THINKERS are Michael Oakeshott - government should maintain peace, not impose radical change
agreement - traditional & One Nation conservatives endorse paternalism
disagreement - New Right reject paternalism in favour of individual responsibility and minimal state
Types of Conservatism
Traditional Conservatism
emerged after the French Revolution as a defence of sociel hierarchy and order
Conservatives feared that radical change would undermine social cohesion
traditional institutions should be preserved
society is shaped by a natural hierarchy of governance, making inequality inevitable - paired with paternalistic duty to support those in need
One-Nation Conservatism
emerged as a response to the poverty that developed during the Industrial Revolution
promotes the unity of the whole nation, encourages all classes to feel a shared identity
advocates for limited reforms to prevent social unrest
economically, One-Nation conservatives argued for centrist policies and a mixed economy - accepting limited state intervention when necessary
New Right Conservatism
Neo-Liberals
concerned with the economy and individual freedom
support free-market economics, low tax and deregulation
favour minimal state intervention in the economy
believe in an atomistic view of society and a more positive view of human rationality
Neo-Conservatives
concerned with society, cohesion and traditional values
emphasise law, order and moral authority
seek to restore importance of social hierarchy
Key Thinkers
Thomas Hobbes (Traditional Conservatism)
humans are naturally selfish, driven by fear and desire for power
without authority, life would be "nasty, brutish and short"
a strong state (the Leviathan) is needed to maintain order — people give up freedom in exchange for security
Edmund Burke (Traditional)
society is organic — it evolves naturally through tradition and inherited wisdom
radical change is dangerous as it destroys this natural balance
hierarchy is natural and the ruling elite have a paternalistic duty to care for society
Michael Oakeshott (Traditional)
politics should be pragmatic, not ideological — government's job is to maintain order, not pursue abstract theories
human imperfection means rational social engineering will always fail
stability and tradition are what provide security
Ayn Rand (New Right - Neo Liberal)
radical individualism — people should pursue rational self-interest without state interference
believes laissez faire capitalism stimulates businesses
rejects welfare and collectivism entirely
the state should only protect private property, nothing more as if theres too much interference,
Robert Nozick (New right - Neo Liberal)
advocated a "night-watchman state" — the state should only protect individuals from force, theft and fraud
redistribution of wealth violates individual rights — taxation is essentially theft
Benjamin Disraeli (One Nation)
society is divided into "two nations" — the rich and the poor — and the state must bridge this divide to maintain unity and stability
the ruling class has a paternalistic duty to improve conditions for the lower classes to preserve social cohesion
reform from above is preferable to revolution from below — incremental change prevents more radical upheaval
accepted capitalism but believed in limited state intervention when necessary
is that fine
having a small state is a core conservative idea
pessimistic view of human nature is a core conservative idea
laissez-faire capitalism is a core conservative idea