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Edexcel Politics A-Level: Conservatism

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What is Conservatism?
Conservatism seeks to conserve society as it is and is suspicious of change. Conservatism values pragmatism over ideological thinking, seeking to adapt its values over time, according to changes in society. However, new right thinking within conservatism in the 1970s and 1980s challenged much of what conservatism had traditionally stood for.

There are three content areas:
1. Conservatism: core ideas and principles
2. Differing views and tensions within conservatism
3. Conservative thinkers and their ideas.

Edexcel Politics A-Level: Conservatism

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25 Questions

1. One-nation conservatism - Introduction Updated Responded to what? Who was a central figure who had what opinion?

Criticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionContunuing respect for tradition nurtures social continuity and stability - Each generation has an obligation to pass the accumulated wisdom on to the next - Provides a historical identity offering familiarity and pride

2. Robert Nozick on the state - 'night watchman'

Criticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionContunuing respect for tradition nurtures social continuity and stability - Each generation has an obligation to pass the accumulated wisdom on to the next - Provides a historical identity offering familiarity and prideClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theft

3. Edmund Burke What was his criticism? Argued what would result? Ideas on society Ideas on reform

Updated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismContunuing respect for tradition nurtures social continuity and stability - Each generation has an obligation to pass the accumulated wisdom on to the next - Provides a historical identity offering familiarity and prideClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theft

4. Edmund Burke - Tradition What can tradition provide and what duties are in place?

Contunuing respect for tradition nurtures social continuity and stability - Each generation has an obligation to pass the accumulated wisdom on to the next - Provides a historical identity offering familiarity and prideCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolution

5. Traditional conservatism - noblesse oblige When was leadership assumed by ___ Traditionals justified it using ___ Also justified with ___ Viewed as ___

Claimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionDuring late 18th/ early 19th century leadership was assumed by the aristocracy - Justified by traditionals -> the aristocracy have ruled for countless generations and are raised with values of social obligation - Also justified with notion of noblesse oblige (paternalism) -> elite rulers could draw on class, leadership and duty in order to make decisions on behalf of society - They viewed this as soft paternalism for they believed society accepted them as the most fit to govern (consent)

6. Imperfection - intellectual -> reality -> pragmatism

Claimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionIntellectual and reasoning skills limited - Not enough intellectual capacity to understand world's complex reality - Consequently, conservatives reject any overarching ideals that claim to predict the development of human society - Instead humans draw upon traditon and practical experience to determine their place in the worldCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricism

7. The New Right - Core - What mixture of elements? - Why was it considered radical - What is stressed and what was failing in the 19__ - Where was thinking becoming prominent and thanks to whom?

Criticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionThrough combining neo-liberal/conservative ideas New Right contains mixture of reactionary and traditional elements - Radical because its determination to abandon gov interventionism in economic / social affairs - At the same time stress traditional views - During 1970s traditional Keynesian interventionist strategies were failing to combat the persistent unemployment and rising inflation - New Right thinking became prominent in US/UK where it became associated with Regan and Thatcher leading to 'Thatcherism' and 'Reaganism'

8. Paternalism - B. Disraeli - origins -> warned -> rich -> conc

Updated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionOrigins of one-nation paternalism traces back to works of Benjamin Disraeli - Served PM 1874 - 1880 - In his literature he warned Britian dividing into 2 nations (rich/poor) -> social revolution more likely - Claimed could only be averted by privileged recognising their obligation towards less fortunate - Rich would help whilst preserving own advantages and social cohesion - As PM he translated paternalism into a series of limited social reformsCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theft

9. Tradition - Burke -> Eg/unity -> prag

Updated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismCustoms & institutions that have developed over time should be preserved - Burke -> tradition constitutes cumulative wisdom of the past -> customs/institutions are fitting as they have withstood the test of time -> shld be preserved for future gens - Eg monarchy promoting national pride and unity over centuries -> social stability/cohesion - View linked to pragmatism -> only natural, evolutionary change accepted - Provides a sense of identity and fosters security by providing sense of familiarity

10. Traditional conservatism - Intoduction and Origins When did it originate and reaction to __ Strand described in what? Defends what based on commitments to (3 things)?

Claimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismOrigionated in late 1700s as a reaction of Enlightenment and French rev - Strand clearly set out in Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France - Defends the established order of society based on a commitment to organicism, hierarchy and paternalismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolution

11. Key thinkers within Conservatism (7)

Claimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theft1. Thomas Hobbes - Traditional conservative - State of Nature - Leviathan - Authority and the importance of social order, as demonstrated by the state of nature - Humans are needy, vunerable and easily led astray in attempts to understand the world around them - Humans are greedy and will compete violently for personal gain, especially in a state of nature 2. Robert Nozick - Neo-liberal - Taxation to fund welfare is immoral and uneconomical - Individuals should not be used as a resource to further the goals of equality, they should own their bodies, talents and labour - Night watchman 3. Edmund Burke - Traditional conservative - Reflections on the Revolution in France - Change should be slow, pragmatic and evolutionary as to not undermine the delicate balance of organic society - Emphasis on tradition and the fact it is the duty of each generation to pass traditional customs, practices and institutions from one generation to the next -> fosters unity and a sense of identity 4. Michael Oakeshott - Change should be made in a pragmatic manner - Modern society is far too complex to be understood using ideological theory -> attempts to construct models are far too simplistic and are compounded by human intellectual imperfection 5. Ayn Rand - Libertarian - Objectivism -> libertarian philosophical system endorsign the virtues of rational self interests and laissez-faire capitalism - Claimed any attempt to restrict an individual's actions corrupted their ability to be rational and productive in society -> thus rejected welfare on the grounds that it relies on the implicit threat of force 6. Benjamin Disraeli - One-nation conservative - PM between 1874 - 1880 - Warned of Britian splitting into 2 nations, the rich and the poor - Called for paternalistic attidutes towards from the economic elite for the poor due to the growing social mobility for a revolution - Embraced a number of limited social reform such as the Second Reform Act and the Sale of Food and Drugs Act 7. Margeret Thatcher - New-Right - Emphasis on traditional values, citing the need to return Britian to 'victorian values' - Section 28 and the prohibitation of homosexuality - Advocate for monetarism, economic system prodominantly using cuts in public expenditure to reduce inflationary pressures - Privitisation policy alongside cutting trade-union powersCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolution

12. Imperfection - moral naturally what?

Humans morally imperfect -> naturally selfish and greedy - Criminal behaviour due to human nature rather than socio-economic factors - Robust law/order system that enforces sanctions on such behaviour only deterrent to moral imperfectionsCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theft

13. Conclusion - Society - organic or atomistic? Why would organic society be rejected?

Claimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftTraditional/one-nation/neo-conservatives -> organic view -> all parts need to work harmoniously for healthy frame etc - Elite priviledges balanced by burden of social obligation and paternalism to less fortunate - Neo-libs -> reject assumptions underpinning organic society and instead view society as being collection of independant, rational beings (atomistic individualism)Criticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolution

14. M. Oakeshott - Core Why can't modern society be understood? How are constructs compounded?

Claimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionModern society both unpredictable/complex -> cannot be understood in abstract theories - Attempts to construct these theories far too simple -> compounded by human imperfection (intellectual- not able to comprehend complex reality)

15. Ayn Rand - Core What rose up when causing ? Name of political philosophy and what 2 things did it endorse? What resulted from restriction? Thus rejected what?

Updated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionRise of 20th century communism led many to reconsider role of state in lives of individuals - Resonded with objectivism -> libertarian philosophical system endorsing virtues of rational self interests and laissez-faire capitalism - Claimed any attempt to restrict an individual's actions corrupted their ability to be productive in society (undermining their use of reason) - Thus rejected gov welfare on grounds that it relies on the implicit threat of force (taxation)Claimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricism

16. Libertarianism - modern = Associated with who? Rejects and endorses what (3 things) Greatest threat and remedy Dissmiss what as inefficient?

Criticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftLibertarianism (modern) = liberal New Right = neo-liberalism - Associated Thatcher and Reagan in 80s - Neo-lib rejects state intervention -> champions free market -> opposes keynesian style management - Neo-liberals consider inflation greatest economic threat -> undermining consumer/business confidence -> use gov spending cuts to control monetary supply (Thatch/Reagan 80s) - Neo-libs also dismiss common-ownersip on grounds on inefficiency

17. Traditional conservatism - organic society Small description What will destabilise thus ___ needed Founded on ___ that convey ___ held in place ___ Any changes must ___

Updated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftRegard society as an organic entity with complex interrelationships - Radical changes will undermine its sturcture and destabilize -> natural evolution through pragmatism needed - O.S founded on tried and tested institutions that convey authority, stability and obligations -> held in place by tradition - Any changes must preserve best features -> pragmatic reform drawing on tradition & experience - Also argue implementation of ideological blueprints to bring about an ideal society can only lead to social breakdown and disasterCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricism

18. Conclusion - Human nature Most are ___ Changeable? Without ___ -> Reject what? What economic system is preffered What is the contrasting view of human nature?

Most are pessimistic -> imperfect & limited - Immutable -> fixed - Without firm gov/law & order -> behaviour would inevitabely deteriorate - Reject utopian schemes (equality) to curb aggression - Capitalism best due to comp nature - Neo-libs -> atomistic individualismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theft

19. Conclusion - The economy - all favour what? -> one-nation -> liberal conservative agreement?

All favour private enterprise - One-nation -> limtited gov intervention to gain high levels of employment (Keynesianism) and endorse welfare to maintain social stability - Neo-libs/cons -> argue for minimal state and endorse free market ->neo-libs highly rate free market claiming it is most efficient distributor of resources and best tool for reaching prosperityCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolution

20. One-nation conservatism - modern day

Updated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftDisraeli's ideas have had a profound affect on the development of conservative thinking - Dominant after WW2 where successive conserv. govs held a one-nation perspective -> adopted Keynesian style intervention to maintain high employment and supported an expanded welfare state and NHS - Cameron drew on this legacy arguing a new 'compassionate conservatism' would uperpin his govCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricism

21. Imperfection - psycological ___ and ___ crave what -> premium order liberty raises? Hobbes':

Claimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftLimited and dependant - Crave security and familiarity - Thus place premium on social order as order provides security and stability - In constrast, liberty raises change and uncertainty - Thomas Hobbes' argument: social order has to come before libertyCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolution

22. Organic society 2 - main - healthy frame -> structured organs -> underpinned

Idea of society as a living organism, all its parts work together ensuring a healthy frame - Internal elements of society have to be structured, like a living creature, with an interconnected set of organs -> represented by people who united can be more than just a collection of individuals - Society based on natural tendencies eg security/familiarity - Underpinned by hierarchy and authority 1. Hierarchy enables different classes to perform the different functions required (organs) 2. Reinforced by authority -> organically evolves operating top down and forging the different relationshipsCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolution

23. Pragmatism 1 - Overview What does it reject Associations? Quote Linked to what? Criticisms

Updated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionRejection of theory in favour of experience, flexible approach based on 'what works' - Associated with Burke and M. Oakeshott - 'to be a Conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried' M. Oakeshott - Preference of pragmatism linked to view on human nature: humans lack intellectual capacity to fully comprehend the complex reality of the world. Leading to abstract utopian ideals eg classless society - Critics argue pragmatism reveals a lack of political principle and encourages following rather than leadingCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theft

24. Paternalism - forms

Claimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftSoft -> when those who are reciepients give their consent - Hard -> when paternalism is imposed, regardless of consent/oppostion, more authoritarian mannerUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionCriticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricism

25. Pragmatism 2 - traditional and one-nation conservative views What do traditional conservatives (Burke) believe and what has thus survived? Burke: what causes chaos What should be preserved Motto

Criticised French revolution as trying to found a new society based on abstract principles (eg liberty) rather than lessons from past - Argued such drastic changes could only lead to chaos - Society represents an organism that should only be chanaged gently to preserve stability and cohesion - Reform should be pragmatic and founded in tradition & empiricismUpdated traditional conservatism - Response to development of laissez-faire capitalism & 19th century industrialisation - Central figure, B. Disraeli, felt capitalism encouraged self-interested individualism -> undermining social responsibility and threatening to split Britain into 2 nations (rich/poor) - If left unaddressed would result in class conflict and maybe revolutionClaimed the only morally justifiable state was one with powers limited to protecting people from violence, fraud and theftTraditional/one-nation conservatism both associated - For traditional conservatives, Burke, pragmatism is essential in envoking natural, evolutionary change which allowed the state to continue for it needs to adapt over time - Burke: radical which ends in inevitable chaos - Core societal features can be preserved - Change to conserve

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❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

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All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | OSHA Basics Quiz | What Should We Know?
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Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com