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A* Conservatism Essays - UK Politics
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9 A* Essays for Conservatism - Core ideology in Paper 1
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A* Conservatism Essays1. To what extent do conservatives agree on the economy? 1
2. To what extent do conservatives agree on the free market? 2
3. To what extent do conservatives agree on the state? (2022) 3
4. To what extent do conservatives agree on pragmatism? 4
5. To what extent do ON and NR Conservatives agree? (2021) 5
6. To what extent do conservatives agree on human nature? 6
7. To what extent do conservatives agree on society? (2019) 7
8. To what extent do conservatives agree on tradition? 9
9. To what extent do conservatives agree on paternalism? 10
1.To what extent do conservatives agree on the
economy?
Agree - IMPORTANCE OF CAPITALISM & PRIVATE PROPERTY
● P: Profound agreement because it gives individuals a place in society, which they
agree is hierarchical, and provides social order. → All see private property as vital as
it provides psychological security for individuals in society.
● Ev: Traditional and ON conservatives although are “reluctant supporters” of
capitalism are firm believers in private property. → Similar to NR as they also support
capitalism as chosen economic ideology.
● Ex: Both traditional Burke and NR Nozick are supporters of Adam Smith, who is seen
as the father of capitalism’s laissez-faire economy.
● Eval: Therefore, mostly agree over type of economic ideology (capitalism) required
to operate the economy.
Disagreement emerges - EXTENT OF TAXATION
● P: Disagreements emerge over extent of taxation that's necessary for an economy to
operate
● Ev + Ex: ON strongly believes in taxation. This is because of their beliefs in a
paternalistic state governed by the ruling class. Therefore, they see taxation as
necessary because it allows state intervention to impose order and authority as
capitalism can sometimes endorse the opposite.
● However, NR have conflicting views over the need for taxation to allow the economy
to operate efficiently because they believe in free market capitalism which means
lower taxes and lower state spending. This is because of their rejection of a
paternalistic state. Their views are epitomised by Nozick who advocates that the
levels of taxation must be lowered as its a form of “theft” so the state must be rolled
back
, ● Eval: Therefore, very conflicting views over level and purpose of taxation in operating
the economy
Disagree - FORM OF CAPITALISM
● P: Major disagreement over form of capitalism
● Ev + Ex: One Nation post-war believed Keynesian capitalism was key. This is the
idea that the state endorses capitalism but manages it and therefore uses its benefits
for increased state welfare through more taxation and public spending.
● However, NR, especially neo-liberals, are inclined to endorse free market capitalism.
This is because they support Hayek, who blamed the economic crisis in the 1970s on
Keynesian capitalism. Therefore, they believe an economy that is wholly deregulated
and privatised is required to fix unemployment and the crisis that followed throughout
the 1970s. This can be seen in practice by Thatcher's government and her operation
of the economy as she attempted to “roll back” the state completely. Disraeli believed
in the free market but was concerned that it created destabilised inequality and made
the poor vulnerable. Rand rejects this as she believes free market capitalism created
prosperity.
● Eval: Therefore, extremely conflicted over form of capitalism required to operate an
economy.
2.To what extent do conservatives agree on the
free market?
Agree - IMPORTANCE OF CAPITALISM + PROPERTY
● P: All are capitalists because it gives individuals a stake in society, which they agree
is hierarchical, and provides social order
● Ev: Traditional and One Nation conservatives although are “reluctant supporters” of
capitalism are firm believers in private property. Similar to New Right conservatives
as they also support capitalism as chosen economic ideology
● Ex: Both Traditional Burke and NR Nozick are supporters of Adam Smith, who is
seen as the father of capitalism’s laissez-faire economy
● Eval: Therefore, mostly agree over type of economic ideology (capitalism) required
to operate the economy
●
Disagreement emerges - HUMAN NATURE & THE MARKET
● Ev: ON believe in paternalism and social cohesion. Therefore, the free market is
seen as potentially divisive as it undermines organic society. Oakeshott.
NR believes in rationalism and individualism. Therefore, the free market makes us
free, self-reliant individuals. Rand
● Ex: s
● Eval: s
Disagree - STATE INTERVENTION IN ECONOMY
, ● Ev: ON follow Keynisian economics, where the state steers the economy to maintain
full employment and regulate economic cycles. They support national ownership and
low taxes. This is seen in practice by Macmillan’s Tory welfare state and not
reversing Labour’s nationalisation of resources like British Gas.
● Neo-liberal NR support privatisation. Nozick argued for self-ownership, meaning that
individuals own their bodies, talents and labour. This is in Thatcher’s economics
because she reversed Labour’s nationalisation and instead privatised the firms, such
as British Airways.
● Ex: Disagree because ON support Keynesian economy and ‘steering the economy’,
while NR support Hayek’s rolling back of the state to create a free market.
● Eval: Therefore, significant disagreement over role of the state in the economy and
the degree of state intervention
Conclusion
● All promote property and capitalism
● Differences in practice between ON mixed economy and neo-liberal NR laissez faire
economy are profound
● Reflect underlying divisions over whether the free market promotes natural order or
can divide society
3.To what extent do conservatives agree on the
state? (2022)
Agree - NEED FOR STRONG STATE BECAUSE FLAWED HUMAN NATURE
● P: Broad agreement that humans are flawed + imperfect, so strong state necessary.
● Ev: Traditional and ON have a pessimistic view of HN as inherently selfish and
morally imperfect. → This is because Hobbes claimed that life in the state of nature is
“nasty, brutish and short”. → This demonstrates that our selfishness and capacity for
violence must be kept in check by a strong state, otherwise it will lead to chaos.
● While NR have a more positive view of HN, they still believe the state should have
some authoritarian features. → Neo-liberal NR believe that humans have the
capacity for evil which needs checking with a tough approach to law and order in
order to deter criminal behaviour.
● Ex: They therefore reject the liberal view that human nature is totally positive and
when left alone can thrive.
● Eval: Mostly united in pessimistic understanding of human nature as morally,
intellectually, and psychologically imperfect. → All argue this necessitates a strong
state.
Disagreements emerge - ROLE & ACTIVITY OF STATE IN SOCIETY
● P: Disagreements emerge over the role and activity of the state in society
● Ev + Ex: Most believe that the state has a role in maintaining tradition. Burke
believed in a paternalistic state because he advocated a rule by natural aristocracy
since this was based upon traditional and empirical understanding of the state and
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