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CONSERVATISMINTRODUCTION
Traditional conservative: emerged in part, as a reaction to the rational principles of the enlightenment in the 18th
century. It argued that pragmatism, empiricism and tradition were vital in maintaining society.
One-nation conservatism: developed in the late 19th and evolved further in the 20th century. One-nation
conservatism advocated for more state interference in both society and economy to preserve society.
The New Right: emerged as a force in the 1970s. A marriage between neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism, it
argued that one-nation conservatism had sanctioned too many changes to the role of the state in its interactions
with society and the economy, and had lost touch with true conservative values.
Neo-liberal
CORE PRINCIPLES AND IDEAS
1. HUMAN IMPERFECTION
Thomas Hobbes
Key work : Leviathan (1651) - response to anarchy in the English civil war.
Very sceptical view of human nature, life was 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short' before the state
emerged. He argued that the natural rights, liberals described didn't exist without the state. Society
according to Hobbes didn't exist without their being a state.
Human imperfection - morally imperfect (selfish), intellectually imperfect (not clever enough),
psychologically imperfect (we rely on tradition and culture for an identity).
The state of nature - 'perpetual and restless desire for power and power that only ceaseth in death'
However he said that humans were rational enough to want physical protection that came from the social
contract. Different to JJR and JL - there is no consent in TH's version.
Theorised that individuals would need to seek a social contract - surrendering individual autonomy to a
sovereign monarch, who in return would provide order through his authority.
This would allow society to develop, and humans to live collectively and without fear.
, Edmund Burke
'Father of conservatism' and Whig MP
Key text : reflections on the revolution in France (1790) = 1790 an attack on the revolution and its ideas
Agrees with Hobbes - with slow and gradual change BUT
Human Nature - Believed in human imperfection, but disagreed with Hobbes considerably on the extent of
this imperfection.
He didn't think that they were ruthlessly individualistic, agreed with Hobbes that humans make mistake
but not to the same destructive levels.
Burke thought that decision making based on rationalistic ideas of abstract thought is ill-advised and that
change should only be cautiously and empirically considered 'politics ought to be adjusted not to human
reasonings but to human nature, of which reason is but a part and by no means the greatest part'.
Empiricism: The idea that knowledge and evidence come from real experience and not abstract theories,
learnt experience and evidence. If you have to do something new, do it gradually and incrementally.
Scepticism of abstract ideas: they don't exist, not based on real human nature.
Organicism: Burke saw society as being like a plant (change had to be careful and direction was unclear, it
was important to stuck to traditions that were the roots of his organic society). Naturally emerges. You must
play your role as it benefits the greater body of the plant, and yourself. Every part needs to grow for the
plant to grow. Mutually supportive. One Nation Conservative.
Arguments against organic society: Bit condescending - socialists argue it hold people from their place. Also
- neo-liberals (Thatcher) said there is no such thing as society, only family units. She is being atomistic (self-
interested humans), focus on family - traditional. They don't like change - so why would you move away
from family units. Section 28 - can't teach about gay relationships in school, cannot promote this lifestyle.
The organic society is not static and sometimes it must 'change to conserve' itself, guided by history,
pragmatism and above all, empiricism.
Pragmatism: what works, what is a viable realistic solution IS IN ITSELF A POLTICAL IDEOLOGY
The French revolution: based on abstract principles, discarded empiricism and tradition for utopian idealism
and 'philosophical abstractions' that quickly descended into violence and chaos.
Burke was sympathetic to the American revolution because of how the British had governed. In contrast to
France, when America overturned British rule did not abandon values, culture or traditions.
E.g. The British constitution - based on tradition because its uncodified. We just let things fade in and out.
Little platoons - small communities that work together to make a wider nation.
Michael Oakeshott
Key works :
On being conservative
The politics of faith and the politics of scepticism (published posthumously)
More in common with Burke than Hobbes.
Human nature: 'fragile and fallible' but that they are capable of benevolence.
Organic society - going to church - a grounding tradition. Consolation, comfort, happiness.
Belief in tradition.
However, the nirvana promised by utopian societies is unobtainable, as perfection cannot be created by
imperfect creatures - pragmatism. You can't imagine something perfect - because you yourself are
imperfect.
'the politics of faith' - rationalism is beyond the ability of human beings becasue they are intellectually
imperfect.
'the politics of scepticism' - because rationalism and its doctrines are flawed, humans should put their faith
in trusted tradition. Modern society is unpredictable and multi-faceted; rational theories often simply
complex situations and state management, based on such rationale, can make matters worse.
He proposed an empirical approach to politics, pragmatic trial and error were more likely to achieve the best
understanding results rather than ideology.
He argued that the state's job is to prevent bad not to create good. He said people should embrace routine
and the states job was to prevent disaster.
2. ORGANIC SOCIETY OR STATE
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