2. To what extent do conservatives agree about tradition
Human Nature
• All believe in the moral imperfection of human nature
• Hobbes ‘state of nature is poor brutish, nasty and short’ - human nature is innately
sel sh and greedy which is why traditional manners, customs and practices are all the
more important to restrain the natural greed within humans, tradition generates a sense
of identity for intellectually awed humans.
• - the established customs and practices are familiar and reassuring for individuals
which is bene cial for them
• However - New Right deviates from authoritarian and traditional conservatives taking a
more rational approach to human nature and holding a more optimistic view of human
nature and holding a more optimistic view of humans in that they are capable of
rationality which feeds into their beliefs for a limited state and increased free market
capitalism.
Society
• Traditionally conservatives have believed that society is naturally hierarchical and as a
result have accepted natural inequality within society, most generally under the belief
that breaking the tradition of a hierarchy within society, an idea that had stood the test
of time
• Burke ‘society is a partnership between the living, the dead and those yet to be
born’ was not correct thing to do - there must be leaders and followers, social
inequality was a myth
• HOWEVER - there was a move towards increased social welfare with one nation
conservatism and Disraeli, these was attempt to stop society falling into two separate
groups - rich and the poor
• Slight deviation however mainly consistent with traditional view of society and hierarchy
in that everyone would not enjoy the same living standards as they do not have the
same responsibilities.
• The reasons that they believe there is inequality within society di ers, traditional-society
is shaped by natural factors rather human ingenuity, it is fashioned ultimately by natural
necessity
• New Right - society is the product of actions of self seeking and largely self reliant
individuals
Economy
• All believe in preserving and upholding the protection of private property within the state
• Traditional conservatives - although they were in favour op capitalism, believed that it
posed a threat to tradition and the hierarchy with middle class becoming richer and
richer
• Believed that the richer landowners had a duty to their decedents and the poor -
supports a more paternalistic approach
• One Nations believed paternalistic approach in economy was needed in order to
preserve social order and customs - Keynesian economics to increase employment
• Not particularly interested in upholding hierarchy and tradition - Neoliberals
• Neoliberals - more interested in increased capitalism to boost the economy, less
intervention and more privatisation
fi
fi fl ff
Human Nature
• All believe in the moral imperfection of human nature
• Hobbes ‘state of nature is poor brutish, nasty and short’ - human nature is innately
sel sh and greedy which is why traditional manners, customs and practices are all the
more important to restrain the natural greed within humans, tradition generates a sense
of identity for intellectually awed humans.
• - the established customs and practices are familiar and reassuring for individuals
which is bene cial for them
• However - New Right deviates from authoritarian and traditional conservatives taking a
more rational approach to human nature and holding a more optimistic view of human
nature and holding a more optimistic view of humans in that they are capable of
rationality which feeds into their beliefs for a limited state and increased free market
capitalism.
Society
• Traditionally conservatives have believed that society is naturally hierarchical and as a
result have accepted natural inequality within society, most generally under the belief
that breaking the tradition of a hierarchy within society, an idea that had stood the test
of time
• Burke ‘society is a partnership between the living, the dead and those yet to be
born’ was not correct thing to do - there must be leaders and followers, social
inequality was a myth
• HOWEVER - there was a move towards increased social welfare with one nation
conservatism and Disraeli, these was attempt to stop society falling into two separate
groups - rich and the poor
• Slight deviation however mainly consistent with traditional view of society and hierarchy
in that everyone would not enjoy the same living standards as they do not have the
same responsibilities.
• The reasons that they believe there is inequality within society di ers, traditional-society
is shaped by natural factors rather human ingenuity, it is fashioned ultimately by natural
necessity
• New Right - society is the product of actions of self seeking and largely self reliant
individuals
Economy
• All believe in preserving and upholding the protection of private property within the state
• Traditional conservatives - although they were in favour op capitalism, believed that it
posed a threat to tradition and the hierarchy with middle class becoming richer and
richer
• Believed that the richer landowners had a duty to their decedents and the poor -
supports a more paternalistic approach
• One Nations believed paternalistic approach in economy was needed in order to
preserve social order and customs - Keynesian economics to increase employment
• Not particularly interested in upholding hierarchy and tradition - Neoliberals
• Neoliberals - more interested in increased capitalism to boost the economy, less
intervention and more privatisation
fi
fi fl ff
