Conservatism Notes
History
• De ned by the desire to conserve, re ected in a resistance and suspicion to change
• The desire to resist change may be the recurrent theme within conservatism - however,
conservatism is distinguished by rival political creeds due to the distinctive way in which
position is upheld, through tradition, belief in human imperfection, and the attempt to uphold
an organic structure of society
• Chief distinction is between traditional conservatism and the new right
• Traditional - defends the established institutions and values on the grounds that they
‘safeguard’ the fragile fabric of society - giving security seeking humans belonging and
rootedness.
• New right - strong but minimal state, combining economic libertarianism with social
authoritarianism represented by neoliberalism and neoconservatism.
- Conservatism arose in the growing response to the fastening pace of economic and political
change, symbolised by the French revolution (Edmund Burke - Re ections on the revolution in
France - he regretted the revolutionary challenge believing it was a force for no good)
- Conservative thought varied as it adapted to the existing traditions and national cultures of that
speci c area e.g. UK conservatism heavily draws on Burke who advocated willingness to
‘change in order to conserve’
- The formation of christian democratic parties after WW2 did continental conservatives fully
accept political democracy and social reform
- Conservatism has changed since the 70s with growing concerns of a welfare state and
economic management - particularly due to Thatcher gov 1979-90 and the Reagan
administration 1981-9
- New right has challenged traditional conservative economic views yet remains central to the
ideology - also due to the fact they haven’t abandoned traditional views in respect to order,
authority and discipline
- New right enthusiasm for the free market shows the extent to which conservatism has been
in uenced by liberal ideas
- From the late 19th century conservatism has been divided into paternalist support for state
intervention and libertarian commitment to the free market
Core principles
Pragmatism
• Flexible approach to society with the decisions made on the basis of what works
• Rejection of ‘ideology’ as it looks to nd the solution to a problem rather than being stalled due
to an in exibility imposed by commitment to ideology
• Idea that unless a problem arises, there is no need for change - “if it ain't broke, don’t x it”
• Aims to continue along the grain of human nature and adapt as they do
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,• Closely associated with the one nation form of conservatism in the UK - Heath (1970-74) and
MacMillan (1957-63) —> in contrast the new right is much more ideological with their outlook
Tradition
• Traditional conservatives are committed to hierarchy and paternalist values
• The idea that society needs hierarchy for everyone to know their place in society - later
developed into the idea of noblesse oblige (that is was those who ranked higher in societies
duty to help those of a lower status)
• Benjamin Disreili developed the one nation ideology to ensure the less fortunate had a safety
net provided by the ruling elite which would alleviate forms of poverty and would prevent
revolutionary consciousness among working class.
• Disreili presented this paternalistic attitude to appeal to a wider electorate (those with very little
wealth to actually conserve) yet allowed the party to claim a mandate to govern.
• Paternalism is therefore one of the key reason for Conservative electoral success and sizeable
support among working class voters
Human imperfection
• According to conservative (especially Hobbes), human nature is imperfect and unchangeable
• Belief that any other ideology that works against the imperfect grain of human nature in order to
establish utopia will end up in distopyia (liberalism)
• By recognising the limitations of human beings, one can avoid destruction and death that arises
from attempts to perfect humanity
• Hobbsian belief that humans are psychologically, morally and intellectually limited - ‘violent state
of nature’
Organic society
• Society is an organism that emerges and evolves over time to meet the needs of its members
• Society must develop institutions and mechanisms that protect us from harm e.g. Armed forces
• A cohesive society requires a degree of hierarchy
• A successful society is categorised by a strong emotional attachment to our fellow people
Paternalism
• Running of the country in which members of the elite seek to govern in the best interests of the
people
• Paternalism is closely associated with the concept of noblesse oblige - Macmillan, Health,
Disreili, Churchill
• Notion of Camerons ‘big society’ makes a notion to paternalism
• Thatcher made a stop to paternalism with the belief that the welfare state saps people of
motivation and promotes a dependency culture, the new right argue that government
interference into the economy provides insu cient outcomes for all of us.
Libertarianism (neo-liberalism)
• Seeks to maximise individual freedoms and minimise public authority
• Can be done with the promotion of individual rights, laissez-faire (free market) economics and a
minimal state —> in uenced the new right economic policy with Thatcher and Reagan in 1980’s
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, • New right had a belief in the free market, but still government control on in ation through
spending cuts
• They rejected public ownership with the idea of ‘rolling back the state’ in order to rid people of
the ‘dependency culture’ and motivate people to nd work not rely on handouts —> however,
belief that the gov should still have control of low levels of tax and regulation.
• Belief that ownership of private property gives people a stake in society which contributes to the
stability of society as a whole.
Core ideas
Human Nature
• Liberals and socialists assume human beings are naturally good or can be made good if their
social circumstances improve - conservatives see humans as both imperfect and unable to
perfect.
• Conservatism has been described as the ‘philosophy of human imperfection’ (O’Sullivan, 1976)
• Psychologically limited and dependent creatures
People fear isolation and instability - therefore drawn to the safe and familiar and
above all seek security of ‘knowing their place’. —> the belief that people desire
security has led to the emphasis on social order and to be suspicious of the
attractions of liberty.
Order ensures human life is stable and predictable, providing security in an
uncertain world.
• Morally imperfect - pessimistic Hobbesian view of human nature that humankind is innately
sel sh and greed and that the desire for ‘power after power’ is the primary human urge.
Belief that crime is not a product of inequality or social disadvantage but rather is a
consequence of base human instincts - links in with the idea of ‘original sin’
Cons view religion as vital tradition and aspect of the organic society, religion
performs a societal function in socialising humans.
People are only able to behave in a civilised fashion if they are deferred from
expressing their violent and anti-social impulses.
The only e ective deterrent is law backed up by strict enforcement — explains
conservative preference for tough criminal justice regimes and long prison
sentences.
Role of law is to not uphold liberty but to conserve order - concepts of ‘law’ and
‘order’ are so closely related in conservative mind that they have become a fused
concept.
Neoconservatives are informed traditional consecrative and insist there are moral
rights and wrongs based on religion;
Traditional values in the UK conservative party Jan 2018
Gay marriage - 59% do not support
Death penalty 54% support
Stricter prison sentences - 71% support
Young people do not respect traditional values - 77% agree
Teachers should teach students to obey authority - 84% agree
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History
• De ned by the desire to conserve, re ected in a resistance and suspicion to change
• The desire to resist change may be the recurrent theme within conservatism - however,
conservatism is distinguished by rival political creeds due to the distinctive way in which
position is upheld, through tradition, belief in human imperfection, and the attempt to uphold
an organic structure of society
• Chief distinction is between traditional conservatism and the new right
• Traditional - defends the established institutions and values on the grounds that they
‘safeguard’ the fragile fabric of society - giving security seeking humans belonging and
rootedness.
• New right - strong but minimal state, combining economic libertarianism with social
authoritarianism represented by neoliberalism and neoconservatism.
- Conservatism arose in the growing response to the fastening pace of economic and political
change, symbolised by the French revolution (Edmund Burke - Re ections on the revolution in
France - he regretted the revolutionary challenge believing it was a force for no good)
- Conservative thought varied as it adapted to the existing traditions and national cultures of that
speci c area e.g. UK conservatism heavily draws on Burke who advocated willingness to
‘change in order to conserve’
- The formation of christian democratic parties after WW2 did continental conservatives fully
accept political democracy and social reform
- Conservatism has changed since the 70s with growing concerns of a welfare state and
economic management - particularly due to Thatcher gov 1979-90 and the Reagan
administration 1981-9
- New right has challenged traditional conservative economic views yet remains central to the
ideology - also due to the fact they haven’t abandoned traditional views in respect to order,
authority and discipline
- New right enthusiasm for the free market shows the extent to which conservatism has been
in uenced by liberal ideas
- From the late 19th century conservatism has been divided into paternalist support for state
intervention and libertarian commitment to the free market
Core principles
Pragmatism
• Flexible approach to society with the decisions made on the basis of what works
• Rejection of ‘ideology’ as it looks to nd the solution to a problem rather than being stalled due
to an in exibility imposed by commitment to ideology
• Idea that unless a problem arises, there is no need for change - “if it ain't broke, don’t x it”
• Aims to continue along the grain of human nature and adapt as they do
flfi fi fl fifl fl fi
,• Closely associated with the one nation form of conservatism in the UK - Heath (1970-74) and
MacMillan (1957-63) —> in contrast the new right is much more ideological with their outlook
Tradition
• Traditional conservatives are committed to hierarchy and paternalist values
• The idea that society needs hierarchy for everyone to know their place in society - later
developed into the idea of noblesse oblige (that is was those who ranked higher in societies
duty to help those of a lower status)
• Benjamin Disreili developed the one nation ideology to ensure the less fortunate had a safety
net provided by the ruling elite which would alleviate forms of poverty and would prevent
revolutionary consciousness among working class.
• Disreili presented this paternalistic attitude to appeal to a wider electorate (those with very little
wealth to actually conserve) yet allowed the party to claim a mandate to govern.
• Paternalism is therefore one of the key reason for Conservative electoral success and sizeable
support among working class voters
Human imperfection
• According to conservative (especially Hobbes), human nature is imperfect and unchangeable
• Belief that any other ideology that works against the imperfect grain of human nature in order to
establish utopia will end up in distopyia (liberalism)
• By recognising the limitations of human beings, one can avoid destruction and death that arises
from attempts to perfect humanity
• Hobbsian belief that humans are psychologically, morally and intellectually limited - ‘violent state
of nature’
Organic society
• Society is an organism that emerges and evolves over time to meet the needs of its members
• Society must develop institutions and mechanisms that protect us from harm e.g. Armed forces
• A cohesive society requires a degree of hierarchy
• A successful society is categorised by a strong emotional attachment to our fellow people
Paternalism
• Running of the country in which members of the elite seek to govern in the best interests of the
people
• Paternalism is closely associated with the concept of noblesse oblige - Macmillan, Health,
Disreili, Churchill
• Notion of Camerons ‘big society’ makes a notion to paternalism
• Thatcher made a stop to paternalism with the belief that the welfare state saps people of
motivation and promotes a dependency culture, the new right argue that government
interference into the economy provides insu cient outcomes for all of us.
Libertarianism (neo-liberalism)
• Seeks to maximise individual freedoms and minimise public authority
• Can be done with the promotion of individual rights, laissez-faire (free market) economics and a
minimal state —> in uenced the new right economic policy with Thatcher and Reagan in 1980’s
fl ffi
, • New right had a belief in the free market, but still government control on in ation through
spending cuts
• They rejected public ownership with the idea of ‘rolling back the state’ in order to rid people of
the ‘dependency culture’ and motivate people to nd work not rely on handouts —> however,
belief that the gov should still have control of low levels of tax and regulation.
• Belief that ownership of private property gives people a stake in society which contributes to the
stability of society as a whole.
Core ideas
Human Nature
• Liberals and socialists assume human beings are naturally good or can be made good if their
social circumstances improve - conservatives see humans as both imperfect and unable to
perfect.
• Conservatism has been described as the ‘philosophy of human imperfection’ (O’Sullivan, 1976)
• Psychologically limited and dependent creatures
People fear isolation and instability - therefore drawn to the safe and familiar and
above all seek security of ‘knowing their place’. —> the belief that people desire
security has led to the emphasis on social order and to be suspicious of the
attractions of liberty.
Order ensures human life is stable and predictable, providing security in an
uncertain world.
• Morally imperfect - pessimistic Hobbesian view of human nature that humankind is innately
sel sh and greed and that the desire for ‘power after power’ is the primary human urge.
Belief that crime is not a product of inequality or social disadvantage but rather is a
consequence of base human instincts - links in with the idea of ‘original sin’
Cons view religion as vital tradition and aspect of the organic society, religion
performs a societal function in socialising humans.
People are only able to behave in a civilised fashion if they are deferred from
expressing their violent and anti-social impulses.
The only e ective deterrent is law backed up by strict enforcement — explains
conservative preference for tough criminal justice regimes and long prison
sentences.
Role of law is to not uphold liberty but to conserve order - concepts of ‘law’ and
‘order’ are so closely related in conservative mind that they have become a fused
concept.
Neoconservatives are informed traditional consecrative and insist there are moral
rights and wrongs based on religion;
Traditional values in the UK conservative party Jan 2018
Gay marriage - 59% do not support
Death penalty 54% support
Stricter prison sentences - 71% support
Young people do not respect traditional values - 77% agree
Teachers should teach students to obey authority - 84% agree
fi
ff fi fl
