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34 Cards in this Set
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Traditional Conservatism |
Two key doctrines 1. The organic theory of society and the state 2. A mistrust of human nature: It is morally, psychologically and intellectually imperfect |
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The organic theory of society and the state |
~ Likens the state to a living organism with its part unequal and interdependent ~ The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and the state is more important than the individual within it ~ The individual owes a duty of loyalty and obedience to the state, upon which he depends for his survival ~ There is a natural, harmonious hierarchy within the society |
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Human Body Metaphore |
The maximum efficiency all elements of the body have their proper function and must work in harmony. However, some elements have critical higher functions and must take priority. |
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Mistrust of human nature 1 |
1. Conservatives have traditionally viewed human beings as psychologically imperfect
As limited, dependent and security-seeking creatures who seek identity and rootedness. This implies a resistance to change and helps to explain why conservatives value tradition and cultural homogeneity. |
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Mistrust of human nature 2 |
2. Human beings are morally imperfect
in accordance with the doctrine of original sin, they are greedy and selfish creatures, motivated by base impulses and desires. This implies the need for a strong state, firm law and order and the moral guidance of the church |
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Mistrust of human nature 3 |
3. Human beings are intellectually imperfect
The world is too complex for them to explain and understand rationally or logically. This implies that abstract theories and principles are not to be trusts and helps to explain why history, tradition, experience and pragmatism are the surest guides to human action.
However, the New Right neo-liberals reject this view: they endorse human rationalism and therefore have faith in abstract theory and believe in negative economic freedom and individual self-reliance. |
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A Complex Machine Metaphore |
The machine is too complex for most people to understand. Consequently, dismantling part of it in the hope that the product may improve it is folly. You are much more likely to damage the machine. |
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Other central themes of traditional conservatism |
~ private property ~ tradition ~ natural hierarchy and authority ~ a static, harmonious class structure ~ pragmatism ~ paternalism |
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Tradition |
~ The organic society reaches out into both past and future and cannot be severed from its roots if it is to survive. ~ Intellectually imperfect humans should look to tradition and history as guides to action, rather than to human reason and abstract theories ~ Tradition - including cultural history - can provide a sense of identity ,security and stability for psychologically imperfect humans ~ From a pragmatic perspective, if something has survived for a long time, it clearly works. 'What has stood the test of time is good and must not be lightly cast aside' (Burke) |
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Authority |
~ Authority is an essential feature of the organic and hierarchical structure of society, where the 'natural governors' make the key decisions in the common interests of the whole society ~ Authority is a form of social glue which binds psychologically insecure people together and gives them a sense of rootedness, identity and stability ~ Since human nature is morally flawed, only the exercise of authority from above can prevent a descent into chaos and disorder ~ Conservatives have tended to link authority to wisdom, in that, by training and accumulated experience, those in authority come to know 'what is best' for everyone - implying paternalism |
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Traditional conservative 'one nationism' |
Benjamin Disraeli's fear of the growing economic divide between the rich and poor - 'two nations' - and of consequent social unrest and disorder. His solution was (limited) welfarism to help the poorest in society.
Tory paternalism is not premised upon the pursuit of either equality or freedom, but upon a pragmatic desire to prevent social rebellion and hence to preserve the power and privileges of the 'natural governors'. Prevents social unrest or even revolution, and will ensure that the social stability of the natural hierarchy - and the dominant position of the ruling class - is maintained.
Noblesse oblige - a duty of social compassion towards those who are at the bottom of the natural, God-given, organic hierarchy through no fault of their own. |
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The New Right |
Also commonly known as 'Thatcherism'.
Has two different and potentially conflicting sub-strands within it:
1. New Right neo-liberalism 2. New Right neo-conservatism |
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New Right neo-liberalism |
- Mechanistic/individualist theory - a view of human nature as rational and self-seeking - radical and reactionary thinking - free-market economics (negative economic freedom) - libertarianism - principled and doctrinaire thinking |
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Atomistic Individualism |
Means that individuals are more important than society; that individual rights and freedoms should take priority over duties and social obligations; and that the economy should allow equality of opportunity, allowing individuals to rise and fall on the basis of merit with no help or hindrance from the state. As
Margaret Thatcher famously said, 'There is no such thing as society - only individuals and families' |
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New Right advocated rolling back the state |
- They believe that the free market is self-regulating and will establish its own equilibrium, which state interference would disrupt - High taxation violates property rights, undermines individual incentive and enterprise and amounts to legalised theft. - High public spending fuels inflation - Nationalised industries amount to state monopolies and are inefficient and uncompetitive - State welfare is both inefficient and immoral because it undermines self-reliance and individual responsibility, and promotes a 'dependency culture' and a 'nanny state' |
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Neo-liberalism |
Principled rather than pragmatic because it has faith in human reason and hence in theory. Thatcher said, "No U-turns - the lady's not for turning".
Free-market capitalism promotes economic well-being in that it is self-regulating, and it serves as a form of social discipline, imposing economic constraints upon the working class. This laissez-faire position also reflects a deep fear of the state based on the perceived threat it poses to individual rights, particularly property rights, and its tendency towards growth and excessive power. |
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New Right neo-conservatism |
- organic/collectivist theory - natural hierarchy and authority - mistrust of human reason - reactionary thinking - illiberal and authoritarian thinking - principled and doctrinaire attitudes |
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Conservative views on social change |
Traditional conservatives: favour tradition, continuity and limited change to conserve.
Neo-conservatives: favour substantial reactionary social change
Neo-liberals: favour radical and reactionary economic change |
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Conservative views on human nature |
Organic conservatives: intellectually imperfect, psychologically imperfect, morally imperfect
Neo-liberals: rational, independent and self-reliant, self-interested and egoistic |
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Conservative views on society |
Traditional conservatives: paternalist organism
Neo-conservatives: authoritarian organicism
Neo-liberalism: atomistic individualism |
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The New Right 'paradox' |
Primary goal of the neo-liberal New Right is return to the free-market economy which dominated the classical liberal, Victorian era of the nineteenth century. Thus, unlike conservatism, it is both radical and reactionary: it seeks a lot of change, backwards.
However, it had allied this laissez-faire economic doctrine to an equally reactionary authoritarianism in all other spheres of life, which makes it internally contradictory |
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Neo-liberalism and Neo-conservatism |
Mechanistic theory Organic theory Rationalist Mistrust of H nature -tive economic freedom Illiberal Equality of opp. Anti-egalitarian Limited state Strong state |
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'Limited but strong' government |
- "Limitation of government doesn't make for a weak government. If you've got the role of government clearly set out, then it means very strong government in that role. Very strong indeed." (MT) -"What this country wants is less tax and more law and order." (MT) -"The trouble with a free-market economy is that it takes so many police to make it work." (Neal Ascherson)
Not paradoxical as complementary - two sides of the same coin. The free market of the of the 1980s and 1990s resulted in growing economic inequalities and social disorder, which required stronger policing and political controls to keep the lid on potential social unrest. |
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Shared conservative beliefs |
1. Private property 2. Hierarchy 3. Law and order 4. Christian family values |
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How do conservatives justify private property? |
For traditional and neo-conservatives: - Property provides psychologically insecure humans with a sense of security and safety. - Property ownership encourages morally imperfect humans to respect people's property and to be law-abiding - Property can reflect its owner's personality
For neo-liberal conservatives: - Property is a natural right (said Locke) - Property is an incentive to individual effort - Property is a reward for individual merit |
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Justifications of inequality1 |
- Stability |
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Justifications of inequality evidence |
B. Braine - social levelling is unsustainable, 'some of rich and some will be poor' |
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Justifications of inequality 2 |
- Inequality benefits both rich and poor |
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Justifications of inequality 3 |
- Egalitarianism is the first step to totalitarianism |
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Justifications of inequality 4 |
- Social Darwinism |
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Conceptual features 1 |
Nobless Oblige & Benevolent Paternalism - 19th Century Britain. One Nation Conservatism. Disraeli |
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Conceptual features 2 |
Self help and Meritocracy |
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European Christian Democracy Themes |
Society is organic - all parts must work in harmony |
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European Christian Democracy Thinkers |
Jacques Maritain - Theory of Personalism. Individual can only fully develop through a sense of responsibility to others especially the family and the community |
