Conservatism lesson 1:
Video- Sir Roger Scruton on “How to be a Conservative:”
Philosopher and professor at the University of Oxford
Believes in the free market economy
Believes legality and morality are necessary to keep people to
their bargains
He also believes that:
True conservatism is based on the sentiment that good things are easily
destroyed but not easily created
The rule of law is important to conservatives
Social contracts are important
A legitimate government depends on us (the people)
Nationalism and national identity (the nation state) is important
People’s duties to one another is important, as is their identities and the
identities around them (this belief is actually socialist)
Institutions and organisations (religions, family and the monarchy) are
important, ad people need to identify with them
Arguably, however, this has faded in the modern Conservative
party, as:
Very few conservatives are atheist, which gives a
definitive morality
In the Uk, religion is part of the nation state (COFE or
the Church of England)
Family is important for identity
Religion is an institution societies need
Change is not always progress, and we should be suspicious of it
People are not rational, and need to be told what decisions to make
People have psychological immaturity
Values are important and hold societies together, incorporating the
importance of a patriotic identity
Societies cannot be artificially made- they must be made of people with
common bonds
Property is important- it makes people civilised
Hierarchy and class must be protected- authority is necessary to hold
people together (law and order, the police, etc)
Video- Sir Roger Scruton on “How to be a Conservative:”
Philosopher and professor at the University of Oxford
Believes in the free market economy
Believes legality and morality are necessary to keep people to
their bargains
He also believes that:
True conservatism is based on the sentiment that good things are easily
destroyed but not easily created
The rule of law is important to conservatives
Social contracts are important
A legitimate government depends on us (the people)
Nationalism and national identity (the nation state) is important
People’s duties to one another is important, as is their identities and the
identities around them (this belief is actually socialist)
Institutions and organisations (religions, family and the monarchy) are
important, ad people need to identify with them
Arguably, however, this has faded in the modern Conservative
party, as:
Very few conservatives are atheist, which gives a
definitive morality
In the Uk, religion is part of the nation state (COFE or
the Church of England)
Family is important for identity
Religion is an institution societies need
Change is not always progress, and we should be suspicious of it
People are not rational, and need to be told what decisions to make
People have psychological immaturity
Values are important and hold societies together, incorporating the
importance of a patriotic identity
Societies cannot be artificially made- they must be made of people with
common bonds
Property is important- it makes people civilised
Hierarchy and class must be protected- authority is necessary to hold
people together (law and order, the police, etc)
