Conservatism in A-Level Politics

Introduction

• Overview of conservatism in A-Level Politics.
• Development from traditional conservatism to One Nation conservatism to the new right.
• Key principles, agreements, and tensions within conservatism.
• Important thinkers relevant for A-Level Politics.

Strands of Conservatism

Traditional Conservatism

• Thomas Hobbes: Early influencer, not a conservative per se but consistent with conservative ideas.
  • Key Ideas: Human nature as self-interested, need for strong state.
  • Leviathan: Advocated for a strong state to maintain order and security.
• Edmund Burke: Father of conservatism, response to French Revolution.
  • Reflections on the Revolution in France: Importance of traditions, caution against radical changes.
  • Key Principles: Tradition, pragmatism, organic society, hierarchy.

One Nation Conservatism

• Emerged in response to industrialization and socialism.
• Benjamin Disraeli: Key figure, promoted societal cohesion and paternalism.
  • Key Ideas: Noblesse oblige, social reforms, emphasis on one nation and patriotism.
  • Social Reforms: Public Health Act, Artisan Dwellings Act.

The New Right

• Emerged in the 1970s, associated with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.
• Combination of neoliberalism and neoconservatism.
  • Neoliberalism: Emphasizes free markets, minimal state intervention.
  • Neoconservatism: Emphasizes traditional values, strong national defense.
• Key Ideas: Opposition to welfare state, promotion of free-market capitalism, individualism.
• Thinkers:
  • Ayn Rand: Advocated for objectivism, self-interest, and minimal state intervention.
  • Robert Nozick: Emphasized individual rights, minimal state, and property rights.

Key Principles of Conservatism

Pragmatism

• Decision making based on what works, not ideology.
• Opposition to radical change, focus on gradual change.
• Traditional and One Nation conservatives emphasize pragmatism; new right seen as more ideological.

Tradition

• Respect for accumulated wisdom of the past.
• Seen as crucial for stability and security.
• Supported by traditional and One Nation conservatives; new right supports tradition in social conservatism.

Paternalism and Hierarchy

• Belief in benign governance from above, natural social hierarchy.
• One Nation conservatism emphasizes paternalism; new right rejects paternalism and supports meritocracy.

Capitalism and Property

• Support for capitalism due to pragmatism and tradition.
• Property rights important for stability.
• New right supports capitalism for freedom; traditional and One Nation conservatives support for stability.

Organic Society

• Society as a complex, evolving entity.
• Supported by traditional and One Nation conservatives.
• New right emphasizes individualism and atomism.

Human Imperfection

• Humans are flawed, need guidance.
• Traditional and One Nation conservatives emphasize human imperfection.
• New right views humans as rational and capable of self-governance.

State's Role

• Provide order and security, key conservative principle.
• Supported across all strands; differences in economic intervention.

Evaluation and Conclusion

• Agreement vs Disagreement: More agreement in traditional and One Nation conservatism; new right diverges significantly.
• Evaluation: Can argue new right as non-conservative due to liberal influences.

Key Thinkers

• Thomas Hobbes: Strong state for order.
• Edmund Burke: Tradition, gradual change.
• Benjamin Disraeli: Paternalism, one nation.
• Michael Oakeshott: Pragmatism, critique of ideology.
• Ayn Rand: Objectivism, self-interest.
• Robert Nozick: Minimal state, property rights.

Resources

• Mention of additional resources and PDFs available on the Politics Explained website.