Core ideas and principles of conservatism and how they relate to human nature,

Conservatism Core ideas and principles of conservatism and how they relate to human nature,

the state, society and the economy:

Pragmatism – flexible approach to society with decisions made on the basis of what works – to cover links between pragmatism and traditional conservative and one-nation philosophy Tradition – accumulated wisdom of past societies and a connection between the generations – to cover how this creates stability, links with organic change, and enhances humans’ security Human imperfection – humans are flawed which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves – to cover the three aspects of psychological, moral and intellectual imperfection Organic society/state – society/state is more important than any individual parts – to cover how this links to the underpinning of the beliefs of authority and hierarchy, and a cohesive society Paternalism – benign power exerted from above by the state, that governs in the interests of the people – to cover the different interpretations by traditional (an authoritarian approach, the state knows what is best so the people must do what they are told) and one-nation conservatives (there is an obligation on the wealthy to look after those who are unable to look after themselves)and why it is rejected by New Right Conservatives Libertarianism (specifically neo-liberalism) – upholds liberty, seeking to maximise autonomy and free choice, mainly in the economy – to cover the moral and economic values associated with this idea.

The differing views and tensions within conservatism:

Traditional conservative − commitment to hierarchical and paternalistic values One-nation conservative − updating of traditional conservatism in response to the emergence of capitalism New Right − the marriage of neo-liberal and neo- conservative ideas

and include:

O neo-liberal: principally concerned with free-market economics and

atomistic individualism

O neo-conservative: principally concerned with the fear of social

fragmentation, tough on law and order and public morality.Human imperfection -Emerged as a reaction to the enlightenment -Believe that humans are intellectually, morally, psychologically imperfect -Individuals are morally flawed e.g., selfish Psychological imperfection •Dependency •Crave familiarity & security 1 / 2

•Like to ‘know their place’ •Social order and hierarchy should be prioritised over individual freedom and choice Moral imperfection •Selfish •Greedy •Anti-social/criminal behaviour inherent not due to disadvantage •Tough law and order, severe punishments and deterrents Intellectual •Limited intellectual capacity •Limited reasoning •Cannot make sense of complex world •Reject overarching ideologies and dogmatism. Instead, tradition and pragmatism Immutable – It’s a constant, cannot change. Conservatives believe human nature is immutable – e.g., a bad person will always be a bad person. People’s behaviour is fixed showing why they want to conserve their traditions and have society remain. Conservatives are for punishment rather than rehabilitation.Dogmatism - Sticking to a firm ideological belief whatever the circumstances.Pragmatism - Flexible, focusing on what works based on experience, adapts to circumstances ‘The wise conservative travels light’ Gilmour – only using recourses from current circumstance and adapts, no baggage from previous situation, not carrying round heavy dogma from other beliefs and ideologies, only using what affects you now.‘A state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation’ Burke – without change you are dogmatic, whole belief system won’t survive as something will come along and wipe it out. Pragmatic sees what works and what doesn’t and adapts to this idea, therefore we will survive. Conserve what works however adapt and be pragmatic if it has proven not to work.Tradition = currently considered to still work but many things over centuries have been let go as they don’t work.Empirical evidence – the theory that all knowledge is based on experience and not based on abstract theory Why might conservatives like the tradition of the royal wedding?

1.Hierarchy – weak-willed humans know their place 2.Social order – if you know your place, you won’t rebel 3.It’s worked successfully for centuries – pragmatic 4.It has historically been seen to be divinely ordained – religious element 5.Provides identity, and therefore security Organic society

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