conservatism
- Created by: PoliticsandHistoryNerd
- Created on: 18-03-21 11:38
View mindmap
- conservatism key ideas
- pragmatism
- pragmatism rejects ideology and theory in favour of decisions based on practical experience
- it is considered a flexible political approach that considers what is acceptable in the best interests of the people
- they believe it creates social stability and cohesion
- as oakshott says 'to be Conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried'
- humans lack the intellectual ability to fully understand the complex world and therefore complex theories which claim to explain or improve human conditions are rejected as potentially destabilising
- abstract ideas and principles such as equality and rights are dangerous and can lead to radical change which creates worse conditions
- a pragmatic approach that emphasises caution, moderation , gradualism and continuity will introduce necessary change without endangering social cohesion or stability
- traditional conservatives such as Burke argue cautious pragmatism enables society to adapt by introducing moderate change rather than complete rejection and face revolution.
- this is essentially a 'change to conserve' policy in which they aim to protect property, order, tradition and established institutions such as the monarchy
- One nation conservatives adopt a pragmatic 'middle way' economic policy which combines market competition with government regulation.
- this they argue promotes growth and social stability by creating wealth through the private sector and generating funding for state welfare
- tradition
- conservatism aims to conserve society as it is and is suspicious of change. Pragmatism and tradition are two core values of conservatism and are strongly linked to traditional and one nation conservativesand associated with Burke and Oakeshott
- tradition provides humans who are weak and security seeking with the social framework to make sense of society and their place within it
- Long established institutions, customs and practises give communities and nations a strong sense of identity that encourages social cohesion and security. any attempt to remove this will lead to insecurity and instability
- tradition represents the accumulated wisdom of the past. State institutions and practices that have proved 'fit for purpose' over time should be preserved for future generations.
- the capitalist market system has endured as an efficient, dynamic and productive form of economic organisation. It should be maintained as long as it doesn't compromise conservative values.
- human imperfection and the organic state
- conservatives view humans as flawed, unchanging and incapable of achieving perfection
- Human imperfect has to be reined in because of people's capacity for evil and since humans are dependant and insecure they can only exist in an organic state or society
- three main aspects of human imperfection- Psychological, moral and intellectual
- P- As limited and dependant beings, humans desire familiarity, safety and the security of knowing their place in society. They also need a social order rather than liberty. an ordered society provides security, predictability and stability, liberty brings choice, change and uncertainty.
- m- as natural selfish beings humans are morally imperfect thus a tough law and order system is needed to combat human nature
- i- humans lack the intellect and reasoning to fully understand the world thus pragmatism
- society (which is organic) has to be based on authority, heirarchy, paternalism and tradition to provide stability, predicitabilityand security
- paternalism
- paternalism is the traditional conservative belief that government should be conducted by those best equipped to lead and make decision through birth, inheritance and upbringing.
- traditional conservatives such as Burke argue that innate or hereditary abilities of social elite gave them the authority to make decisions on society's behalf and impose an obligation to care for those less fortunate (paternalism)
- one nation believe that human ability is not evenly distributed, the successful are entitled to their rewards but they also have a social responsibility to look after those who are unable to look after themselves
- One nation argue that government regulation of the economy and social welfare measures are necessary to improve the conditions for the poorest
- paternalism preserves upper class and strengthens hierarchy and remove threats to the social order.
- libertarianism
- this advocates individual liberty, ,maximum economic freedom, minimal government or state regulation. it is more commonly known as neo liberalism.
- the free market is the only way to efficiently supply goods, determine the natural level of employment
- inflation poses the biggest threat to this and therefore government spending should be cut to control money flow
- state involvement (such as welfare) is inefficient and expensive. instead government regulation, high taxation and trade unions should be abolished to release the free market's potential
- humans are naturally comptative, autonomous, individualisti, self-interested and rational
- welfare is rejected as it creates a 'dependency culture'
- pragmatism
Comments
No comments have yet been made