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Pearson Edexcel Government and Politics Conservatism Essay Plans

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Thorough and exam-focused essay plans for Edexcel A Level Politics, covering conservatism as a core political ideology. Includes detailed analysis of key thinkers (Hobbes, Burke, Oakeshott, Rand, etc), and explores tensions between traditional, one-nation, and New Right conservatism. Designed to help students structure high-level answers and develop critical comparisons on key themes like order, human imperfection, authority, and the free market. Ideal for scoring top marks in AO1, AO2, and AO3

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Conservatism Essay Plans

To what extent is conservatism united in its views on human nature
Introduction:
 Most conservatives are united in their view that human nature is inclined towards a desire to form a society of collective
groupings for advancement and that structure such as the family and its support mechanisms are crucial for individuals and
that these are the roots of human nature.
 However, the different strands of conservatism also all have different views when it comes to human nature, with traditional
conservatives having a more pessimistic view on human nature and neo-liberals having a much more optimistic view as they
believe human beings have the ability to be rational

Para 1 Para 2 Para 3
 All conservatives agree that human  Conservatives disagree on the extent  Conservatives disagree on the
nature is inclined towards a desire to to which humans are rational beings extent to which the state should
form a collective group for  Traditional conservatives argue that be involved in human nature
advancement – this is what Burke humans are not rational  Traditional conservatives argue
called the ‘little platoons’  Hobbes – under a ‘state of nature’ that the state should intervene in
 Apart from neo-liberals who favour (where humans run free) humans the lives of individuals
the individual over the collective – would exhibit a ‘restless desire’ for  Hobbes – humans should enter a
Rand rejects personal altruism power – leading to conflict and social contract to establish
 All conservatives agree that turning the state into a ‘war of every political authority, surrendering
structures such as the family and its man against every man’ rights to the individual or group to
support mechanisms are crucial for  One Nation conservatives similarly whom they grant authority
individuals and that these are the believe that human beings are  One-nation conservative argue
roots of human nature – Oakeshott imperfect that the state should be involved,
believed traditions are key  Oakeshott – humans are imperfect but should not overstep public
 Thus, most conservatives agree to and do not have the mental faculties acceptance
some extent that humans desire to to make sense of the complex  Oakeshott – takes a more
form a collective and that structures modern world pragmatic approach and suggests
benefit human beings.  Neo – liberals on the other hand, that we can deliver what is in the
believe that individuals have the best interests of people without
capability to strive for their own overstepping public acceptance
happiness and should be left alone to  Neo-liberals argue against state
do so intervention to help human beings
 Rand – people should pursue their  Nozick – welfare programmes are
own happiness as their highest aim immoral as they amount to a type
and rejects government welfare of forced labour imposed on the
programmes as they limit people individual by the state
from doing so  Rand – also rejects WF
programmes

, To what extent is conservatism united in its views on society
 Most conservatives, such as Traditional and ONC are somewhat united in their views on society, advocating for an organic
society and placing heavy emphasis on tradition and community
 However, TNR differs in their views on tradition and believe that individuals should fend for themselves rather than provide
for the community
 Thus, whilst most conservatives agree on most aspects of society, there are differing views associated with TNR which
suggests that conservatism is not fully unites in its views on society
Para 1 Para 2 Para 3
 Traditional and one nation  The New Right conflicts with TC and  TCs and ONCs advocate for
conservatives have generally similar ONC on their view of traditions community in order to promote
views on the organic and structure of  TCs such as Burke argue that tradition social order whilst TNR promotes
society should be respected as it represents individualism
 They both believe that society is practices passed down from one gen  TCs place emphasis on upholding
natural and has developed over to another institutions, as they believe they
hundreds of years, and it is not a  Burke also points out that change has hold society together
machine that has been created by to be undertaken with great caution,  Hobbes argued that people should
individuals mindful of the delicate balance give up their natural rights to the
 Burke – tradition and empiricism inherent in an organic society individual or group they grant
should be respected because they  ONs such as Oakeshott also agree authority – gov by consent and
work and drastic changes could lead that society is unpredictable and that the best hope for people is a
to chaos complex, and cannot be understood peaceful life under a strong gov
 Both also believe in interdependence thus supporting traditions as they  ONCs similarly promote
and that relationships and the work – pragmatism community through the idea of
necessary obligation to the individuals  The New Right on the other hand, noblesse oblige (Disraeli) – the
to the community in which they promote a traditional lifestyle rich in society should help the
belong is important in ensuring because they believe it is moral and poor – they should be
stability – noblesse oblige and the better for society – the state should philanthropic
elite looking after the less naturally therefore be authoritarian when  Neo-liberals such as Rand on the
capable imperfect beings people engage in vices other hand, argue that people
 Both also have an acceptance of  Thus, whilst conservatives agree that should pursue their own
hierarchy and authority tradition is important, TCs and ONCs happiness as their highest moral
advocate for it due to practicality aim
whilst NRCs advocate for it due to  Rand condemned all forms of
morality altruism as she felt it did not
accord with an individual’s
rational self-interest
 Thus, whilst TCs and ONCs heavily
encourage community and people
helping others, TNR encourages
individualism and the idea of
every man for himself,
undermining key conservative
principles

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