table: differences between strands of conservatism

	traditional	one nation	new right
background	existed alongside a feudal, agricultural economy that was hierarchical n deferential	background of growing industrialisation, poverty, inequality n revolutionary upheaval disraeli’s main obj: maintain institutions of the country uphold the empire elevate the condition of the ppl	blend of free market n tradish con’ism with economic theory of Keynesianism being chief target for criticism developed in 1970s in reaction to wider role govts were playing in ppl’s lives
pragmatism	to prefer the untried draws on Burke’s idea of ‘change to conserve’	in fear of revolution, disraeli said “the palace is not d]safe when the cottage is not happy.” gilmour: “ the wise conservative travels light.” the rights of the state had to be balanced w emerging socialism	rejected in favour of ideological outlook thus humans are rational, not imperfect n the world is knowable
tradition	generates sense of identity - provides stability n continuity generates social cohesion by giving ppl a sense of who they are	it was thought that society could fracture under emerging capitalism therefore, change to conserve had to protect the institutions whilst est necessary, gradual change	wanted wholesale reform, rejecting tradition motivated by support for free market economics
human imperfection	intellectually, morally n psychologically imperfect humans must therefore seek security, reject abstract ideas n be deterred from crime	the need to feel safe and secure - patriotism unites ppl under nation intellectual imperfection is recognised by letting the ruling elite decide for the working classes
organicism	society gives individuals a sense of security n purpose unity of society is more important than indiv rights	social cohesion is basis of one-nation conservatism problems created by capitalism were everyone’s responsibility but a lion’s share on the most well-off - ‘price of privilege’	contradictory as there’s no such thing as society, but wants a shared culture atomistic individualism replaces the organic society, meritocracy replaces hierarchy n authority but contradicts itself as neo-conservatives reassert the moral foundations of society
authority	needs of society is prioritised n thus guidance is needed from above to be exercised within limits that natural responsibility entails	social cohesion is basis of one-nation conservatism problems created by capitalism were everyone’s responsibility but a lion’s share on the most well-off - ‘price of privilege’	contradictory as there’s no such thing as society, but wants a shared culture atomistic individualism replaces the organic society, meritocracy replaces hierarchy n authority but contradicts itself as neo-conservatives reassert the moral foundations of society
hierarchy	support for fixed social hierarchy social equality is a myth n natural inequality exists throughout	social cohesion is basis of one-nation conservatism problems created by capitalism were everyone’s responsibility but a lion’s share on the most well-off - ‘price of privilege’	contradictory as there’s no such thing as society, but wants a shared culture atomistic individualism replaces the organic society, meritocracy replaces hierarchy n authority but contradicts itself as neo-conservatives reassert the moral foundations of society
paternalism	those higher up have greater wisdom n know what’s best used to justify imposition of laws on lower classes	the reform acts meant a less authoritarian style of paternalism govts were committed to improving the conditions of working classes	authoritative replaces this permissive values (single parent families, abortion, divorce n readily available contraception) has declined morality n thus undermined social cohesion matched by state authoritarianism where the social causes of crime are irrelevant, the crime must be punished
economy n property	promotes social cohesion property ownership is an extension is an extension of personality n character	concerned that capitalism was creating social division, a pragmatic approach was adopted w factory reform, housing improvements, sanitation, labour relations etc	consistent approach that private property and ownership is an important aspect however, neoliberals believe it’s a sign of hard work (meritocracy) neoconservatives believe it creates the value of a stake in society
libertarianism	traditional conservatives reject this	rejected by one-nation conservatism	neoliberalism is entirely libertarian - but the New Right are not consistent economically, they are about economic individualism but neoconservatives will not extend this principle to other aspects of social life

well