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FULL MARK Higher Politics SQA essay on Conservatism
FULL MARK Higher Politics SQA essay on Conservatism with the factors of Human Nature, Ownership and Tradition and Change.
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The aspects which will be discussed for the political ideology conservatism will be; Human Nature,Ownership and Tradition & Change.
Conservatisms view on Tradition & Change is vital to understand how Conservatism differs and stands
unique on its own. Traditional Conservatives like theorist Edmund Burke was in opposition to the radical
ideas of those leading up to the French Revolution. He argued that ‘Reform from above’ is better than
‘Reform from below’. Conservatives are so called because of their hostility to change and belief in the
importance of conserving and respecting society’s traditional values, beliefs and institutions. However in
analysis Conservatives believe that reforms may be permitted but only when necessary and always with
regard to tradition. It was Burke who made clear that no good came from violent and rapid change. So
therefore extending on that traditional conservatives want pragmatic and slow change. This is similar to
the socialist view especially Marxism which agree with change but slow and stable ones which do not
cause chaos. This is one argument that people fail to take into account with the traditional conservative
ideology. Karl Marx famously said ‘A new world must be built’ backing the similarity of favor of change.
In conclusion it seems that the traditional conservative ideology see Tradition & Change in favor but on
the other hand wanting that to be pragmatic and not radical. Though it is important to dig deeper in to
the different strands of conservatism to understand this complex web of views on Tradition & change as
an aspect.
Another aspect of which will be discussed is Human Nature. Conservatives believe that human Nature is
flawed and are physiologically limited and dependant, therefore man needs security and order in order
to be lawful. Humans are naturally selfish and greedy, Thomas Hobbes said that “Power over power” is
the primary urge. Because Conservatives view that man has the greed and selfishness which they
naturally contain they are easily subject to crime , that crime is not a product of inequality or social
disadvantage but is the consequence of human instincts and appetites – a inescapable part of who we
are. Hobbes also said “For such is the nature of man, that howsoever they may acknowledge many
others to be more witty, or more eloquent, or more learned; Yet they will hardly believe there be many
so wise as themselves: For they see their own wit at hand, and other mens at a distance.” Which
explains his overall selfish view of Human Nature, including this in his famous book ‘Leviathan’. This is in
contrast to the liberal idea of Human Nature that individuals are created through their own will and
reason. Liberals See the individual as a blank state without inherent qualities that impact on social life
and maintain that individuals can be improved, unlike the Conservative idea which states they cannot be
improved. In conclusion the traditional Conservative view of Human Nature is one which believes that
human nature is flawed and needs guidance in order to succeed in life and be lawful. Conservatism has
many more strands which do not agree with this exact idea of Human Nature so though the other
strands are worth considering in order to understand Conservatism as a whole.
The last aspect discussed is Property/Ownership. The conservative ideology that property/ownership
shall be private is a vital view for Conservatism. Conservatives believe that Property owners have a stake
in society, have an interest in maintaining law and order, so property supports the conservative values
of respect for the law and social order. They also believe that Property Ownership is something deeper
than just owning a building or a house that it almost defines them as a person, their personality also
seem as shining through. Conservatives believe that ownership defines you therefore that people need
to be responsible and confident with ownership. Conservatives also believe that property ownership
comes with obligations to the community like looking after the lower class and contributing. Property is
also an importance of society, the present generation inherited from the past should pass on to the
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