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Summary UK Politics paper 1: 2.2 established political parties
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detailed study/revision notes on this area of the specification for edexcel a level politics.
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2.2 established political parties –The Conservative Party
Traditional conservatism –
Origins traced back to English Civil War.
Those who supported the crown sided with status quo against what they feared
would become violent & destabilising change.
Conservative fear of the violence from sudden change – reflected in Hobbes’
Leviathan.
Hobbes negative view of human nature – strong govt needed to control citizens &
resist dangerous innovation. If not, anarchy would ensure – property would not be
safe, violence would be endemic & ‘the life of man solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and
short.’
Egalitarian principles of French revolution (‘liberty, fraternity, equality’) – conflict
with traditional conservative principles.
Burke – Reflections on the Revolution in France – warned about the consequences of
too-rapid change.
Burke – idealistic desire to change the world is dangerous. Should approach
problems pragmatically, respecting authority & tradition.
Closely associated with monarchy & CofE – aware of humanity’s potential for ‘mob
rule’ – sought to resist radical changes to constitution.
By 19th C. Toryism was the party of:
Property
Pragmatism
Authoritarianism
Tradition
Stability
One-nation conservatism – more inclusive & progressive.
Benjamin Disraeli – traditional conservatism lacked the necessary dynamic to inspire
men.
Argued that conservatism must unite the nation in a collective reverence for those
traditions & institutions that made Britain great.
Society is an organic body - stability & prosperity could be achieved through all
classes & individuals appreciating their debt to each other - not putting their selfish
interests above communal well-being.
Disraeli’s ‘one nation’ sentiments helped conservatives reach out to working class.
As PM – he supported extensive social reforms.
By closely associating itself with ON principles, Conservative Party became most
successful modern vote-winning party & main governing party for most of 20 th C.
Conservative PMs like Stanley Baldwin, Harold Macmillan & Edward Heath, sought to
govern in interests of whole nation – accepting govts role in creating more
prosperous & inclusive society.
The New Right –
, By 1970s – effectiveness of ON undermined by large-scale industrial unrest.
Trade unions increasingly demanding higher wages – challenging principle that
conservatives could successfully unite all sections of society.
1975 – Thatcher defeated Heath – ‘New Right principles’ became dominant within
Thatcherite conservatism.
Neo-liberal roots:
Economy best regulates itself with minimal govt intervention – businesspeople 7
entrepreneurs create wealth, rather than govt.
Role of govt in economy – limited to making conditions favourable for successful
operation of free market. – Adam Smith ‘invisible hand of the market’ – govt should
do this by:
Minimal taxation – greater opportunity for people to take financial control of their
lives.
Reducing inflation & interest to encourage investment.
Discouraging ‘dependency culture’ based on too extensive a welfare state.
Limiting trade union influence – they disrupt smooth operation of free market by
demanding excessive pay claims.
Neo-conservative roots:
Authoritarianism, fear of disorder & sense of community – associated with
traditional conservatism.
Positive role for state in encouraging social stability & security by:
Discouraging permissive & alternative lifestyles that threaten traditional family unit –
basis for social harmony.
Govt extensive powers to fight crime & disorder.
Protecting national interest – strong defence policy.
Emphasising nation state as ultimate source of citizens’ security. (sceptical of regional
organisations – EU – challenge govt authority).
Current Conservative ideas & policies –
Thatcher Conservative govt criticised for too much focus on free-market principles
that allowed society to become divided.
Authoritarianism & lack of commitment to social justice – prompted May in 2002 to
admit that they had become the ‘nasty party’ for many.
Cameron proved to be very socially progressive – same-sex marriage legislation –
promoting what he called a Big Society & introducing National Citizen Service to
encourage young people to support their communities.
HOWEVER, 2010 – UK severely in debt due to global economic crisis (2007-09) –
Cameron & his chancellor George Osborne – austerity programme dramatically
cutting public spending.
Cameron govt – ON emphasis on social cohesion & Thatcherite emphasis on good
financial housekeeping.
Eurosceptic tradition reaching back to Enoch Powell in 1970s.
More influence in recent years (European Research Group ERG).
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