Essay
AQA POLITICS PAPER 3 SOCIALISM NOTES
- Module
- Ideologies
- Institution
- AQA
This document contains in-depth Paper 3 Ideologies Conservatism notes for the AQA A Level
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
Conservatism Revision PackContext of Conservatism
- Conservatism is a form of change
# not only about conserving
- It champions changing to conserve
changing to conserve - the principle that conservatism that indicates a belief that for something valuable to be
preserved, it has to be continuously updates and maintained
- By-product of the enlightenment
- It is rooted in a wish to ensure that progress is compatible with both experience and security
# does not reject the enlightenment or “progress”
- Change should be about repair and careful adjustment, rather than total demolition and a wish to
start from scratch
Conservatism denies that humanity can be positively reshaped within the ‘correct’ environment or society
- Human nature is constant and imperfect
# as a result, some thinkers have described conservatism as a ‘philosophy of imperfection’
Key Thinker No.1 – Thomas Hobbes (17th century/traditional conservatism)
Human nature
- He has a cynical view of human nature, arguing it was ruthless egotistical and likely to commit
cruel and destructive acts
# prior to the emergence of the state, there was no co-operation or voluntary arrangements
between individuals and therefore none of the ‘natural rights’
- In Hobbesian state of nature, human nature was shaped by a restless desire for the acquisition of
goods and a distrust of others with a constant fear of death
# ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’
- However, Hobbes also agreed that the human condition would improve due to our capacity for
reason
# individuals would realise the state of nature was an obstacle, and they would establish for
themselves a state which ensured order and security
State
- Traditional conservatives argue that safety and security are impossible without authority and law
and order
# there can be no law and order without a state
- Hobbes was also more comfortable with a state that is openly hierarchal and elitist
# reflecting the unequal society, they defended
Hierarchical – uneven distribution of power and among individuals within the state (the equality of status and
power is unnatural; society requires leadership from a small number of people)
- He further argued that in order to maintain peace, the state’s power would have to be
concentrated
# turns the state into a “leviathan” that would ensure order
- For Hobbes, ‘natural chaos’ stemmed from the absence of any formal authority
# however, eventually, humans would make an agreement with the sovereign state, allowing
individuals to enjoy security and progress (which was absent in the state of nature)
Society
, Conservatism Revision Pack
- Unlike socialists and liberals, Hobbs dismisses the idea that society is natural, or that somehow it
predates the state
# given his sceptical view of human nature, Hobbes thought it was impossible for us to interact in
a society without law and order
- With reference to the French Revolution, Hobbes argued that once law and order collapse, the
various trapping such as natural rights disappear
- For this reason, traditional conservatives see natural laws/natural rights as a dangerous fantasy
Economy
- Given his support for a society which defends private property and inequality, it is unsurprising
conservatives back capitalism
# traditional conservatives usually support capitalism and private enterprise
# however, they recognise that lassez-faire capitalism can be dangerous and destabilise the
economy connects with their views of order
Key Thinker No. 2 – Edmund Burke (18th century/traditional conservatism)
Human nature
- Similar to Hobbes, Burke also has a sceptical view of human nature
# The French Revolution offered a vision of a utopian society, where human misery was erased
- However, Burke dismissed such ideas, claiming it was based on an optimistic view of human
nature
# human nature is fixed and unchangeable
State
- Traditional conservatives argue that safety and security are impossible without authority and law
and order
# there can be no law and order without a state
- Burke was also more comfortable with a state that is openly hierarchal and elitist
# reflecting the unequal society, they defended
- Burke was keen on the notion of a ruling class – one that was born and bred to rule the state
# however, as a Whig who generally supported the Enlightenment, Burke also stated government
should be restricted by a constitution
Society
- Unlike socialists and liberals, Burke dismisses the idea that society is natural, or that somehow it
predates the state
# given his sceptical view of human nature, Burke thought it was impossible for us to interact in a
society without law and order
- With reference to the French Revolution, Burke argued that once law and order collapse, the
various trapping such as natural rights disappear
- For this reason, traditional conservatives see natural laws/natural rights as a dangerous fantasy
- In addition, traditional conservatives believe a good society values tradition
Tradition – linked to opinions handed down from one generation to the next
Furthermore, Burke argued that the beneficiaries of inequality had a crucial responsibility
# this relationship is usually described as paternalism
Paternalism – the obligations that society’s stronger and richer classes have towards the less fortunate and
society as a whole
- According to Burke, if they upper classes neglect his ‘familial’ responsibility, it will cause tension
within society
- A conservative society is also more likely to stress the value of private property
# Burke argued property is the perfect example of something that is often inherited and provides
a partnership between the living, the dead and the yet to be born
# property represents a force for stability and the avoidance of revolution
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller williamivara. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £6.26. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
50155 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now