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Summary POLITICS NOTES ON CONSERVATISM
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A LEVEL CONSERVATISM NOTES
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Anaam AbdullahiConservatism
What is conservatism?
Conservatism is opposed to the ideals of Liberalism and Socialism.
Conservatism generally refers to right-wing politics which advocate the
preservation of personal wealth and private ownership (Capitalism) and
emphasize self-reliance and Individualism.
Pragmatism
This is a key conservative principle which is based on the idea of
successful practical application rather than to ideological thinking
Oakshot stated to be a conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried
It also values political measure on concepts like
What would society except
What would be best for the people
What would maintain social stability
Tradition
Society seen as a partnership between those who are living, those who are
dead and those to be born –Burke.
The current generation are seen as guardians or gatekeepers of tradition.
Religious argument:
Tradition is God given.
Therefore any change to tradition is going against the will of God.
Tradition has benefits for the individual and society, tradition is
comforting and reassuring. Humans naturally crave security and
the familiar so change is a journey into the unknown.
Provides humans with a sense of identity and belonging
(rootedness).
As it benefits the individual, it benefits society as it ensures
stability.he glue which binds society.
Human imperfection
, Humans are imperfect and imperfectable.
They are psychologically limited and dependent on others;
this is why they fear isolation and instability.
Humans are psychologically drawn to the safe and familiar,
above all they seek the security of ‘knowing their place’.
They desire security and belonging leading to the
importance of an established social order.
Liberty creates too much choice and uncertainty.
People are seen as morally imperfect as they are endowed
with the original sin of Adam and Eve.
Intellectually limited- the world is too vast and complex for
human understanding, therefore conservatives criticise
ideologies such as liberalism which suggest that humans
understand the world around them.
The implications of the conservative view of human nature:
The state plays a large role as humans need guidance.
Harsh deterrents for crime e.g. long prison sentences and
capital punishment.
Reject change and favour tradition
Elite rule/authority
Importance of order and stability in politics
Property- the ownership of physical goods/wealth.
Conservatives place a great emphasis on property ownership as it seen
to have many benefits both psychological and social.
Psychological benefits:
Property provides people, in an uncertain and
unpredictable world, something to fall back on. It provides
security, whether it is a house or savings in the bank.
Therefore thrift (caution with money) is advocated.
Humans are security seeking.
Property is also viewed as an extension of a person’s
identity- people want and need identity.
People’s property tells us about their character/personality.
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