To what extent are conservatives united in their view of society?
Conservatism arose in reaction to the growing pace of political, social, and economic change,
symbolised by the French Revolution. It stood in defence of a traditional social order, whilst other
ideologies such as liberalism and socialism preached reform and supported revolution. Conservative
thought varies, but in the UK, Conservatism draws heavily on the Edmund Burke’s ideas of ‘change in
order to conserve’. There shouldn’t be a blind resistance to change, but change shouldn’t be
dogmatic either. There are different types of conservatism including; Traditional/Paternalistic
Conservatism, One Nation Conservatism, and the New Right (a combination of two different
ideologies; neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism). Conservatives, especially Traditional Conservatives
and One Nation Conservatives are mostly united in their view of society. However, there are
numerous disagreements between the New Right, and Traditional and One Nation Conservatives. I’d
argue that most Conservatives, excluding the New Right, are united in their view of society. I shall
analyse this statement in my essay.
Traditional and One Nation Conservatives disagree with the New Right, in two aspects; the
importance of past in society, and whether hierarchy is natural. Firstly, Traditional and One Nation
Conservatives believe that society has emerged gradually, and that traditions must be respected.
Tradition represents the accumulated wisdom of the past. The institutions and practices of the past
have been ‘tested by time’ and should therefore be preserved for the benefit of the living and for
generations to come. Additionally, Traditional and One Nation Conservatives believe that the world
is simply too complicated for human reason to grasp fully. Michael Oakeshott referred to the world
as ‘boundless and bottomless’.
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