Conservatism
Core ideas
Pragmatism Pragmatism rejects ideology in favour of practical experience. The approach to society should be flexible
with decisions made on the basis of what works.
Oakeshott: “to be a Conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried”
Pragmatism is strongly linked to conservatives’ view of human rationality. Humans lack the intellectual
ability and powers of reasoning to fully comprehend the complex realities of the world ⇒ conservatives
dismiss abstract ideas such as human rights, classless society and equality as they are dangerous – can
promote a radical reordering of society through revolution that leads to worse rather than better
conditions.
⇒ conservatives act in a pragmatic way that emphasizes causation, moderation and a sense of historical
continuity
For traditional conservatives such as Burke, pragmatism was an essential element in facilitating ‘natural’/
inevitable change within a state or society ⇒ for the state to keep going it would have to adapt to some
extent – cautious pragmatism would bring about necessary change peacefully through evolution.
change to conserve: society should adopt to changing circumstances by introducing moderate reforms
rather than reject change completely and risk rebellion/revolution
one-nation conservatives hold similar attitudes to social reform + more recently adopted pragmatic
‘middle way’ approach to the economy that combines market competition with government regulation
Tradition – attachment to tradition ⇒ the institutions, customs and practices of a society that have developed over
time
–justification of tradition:
Originally had religious roots - Conservatives saw society’s institutions and practices as ‘God-given’.
Humans who attempt to alter these longstanding social arrangements are challenging the will of god
Nowadays conservatives offer non-religious arguments for the value of tradition
1. tradition constitutes the accumulated wisdom of the past
Burke: society was a “partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who
are living, those who are dead and those who are to be born” ⇒ institutions, customs and practices
of the past have demonstrated their value to earlier societies as they have proved ‘fit for purpose’
over time and survived so they should be preserved for future generations to also benefit from
them. Each generation has a duty to safeguard and pass on the accumulated wisdom of tradition
to the next generation.
2. tradition provides society + the individual with a strong sense of identity – long-established
institutions, customs and practices are familiar and provide individuals with a historically bases
sense of belonging to a particular society
Tradition offers humans a reassuring collective sense of who they are
Human – pessimistic view on human nature- incapable of reaching a state of perfection
imperfection
, Humans are flawed in a number of ways, which makes them incapable of making good decisions for
themselves.
Human imperfection has to be monitored due to the human capacity for evil:
o tough stance on law and order is required to deter criminal behaviour
o foreign policy has to be based on national security rather than international cooperation and
harmony
o human behaviour is competitive ⇒ a successful political system will recognize that self-interest is
more powerful motivator than altruism.
Organic People cannot exist separately from society – society and social groups provide individuals with a sense of
society security and purpose and prevent the development of anomie (isolation)
Organicism: the idea of an organic society or state – views society as a living organism with all its parts
working together in harmony to ensure the ‘body’ remains healthy.
o internal elements of an organic society cannot be randomly rearranged. Organic society is
maintained by a delicate set of relationships between these elements. If this balance is disrupted,
society will be undermined
o organic society is based on natural needs and instincts such as affection, security and concern rather
than an ideology.
Supporting the idea of organic society is the conservative belief in hierarchy and authority ⇒ a
hierarchical organic society encourages paternalism as a means to ensure social unity. This hierarchical
structure of organic society is reinforced by authority which develops naturally/organically in the same
way as society. This form of authority operates in a top-down manner. Authority resides with political
leaders, employers, managers etc.
*However, the actions of people holding such authority are limited by the natural responsibilities that
accompany their privileged position.
Paternalism Paternalism is the idea of government by people who are best equipped to lead because of birth,
inheritance and upbringing.
Burke argued that the ‘natural aristocracy’ guided society much like a father guiding his family. The social
elite provides leadership because of its hereditary abilities.
Those at the top of society have a duty to care for the lower social ranks.
Traditional conservatism
Paternalistic leaders were drawn from the aristocratic elite that had been educated in the values of social
obligation and public service, and had provided the senior political decision makers for generations.
One nation conservatism
Has relied on government regulation of the economy and social welfare measures to improve conditions
for the poorest in society. UK Conservative PM David Cameron, drew on paternalism when he called for
“compassionate conservatism”. The origins of one nation paternalistic conservatism are usually traced
back to the works of Disraeli.
New Right completely rejects the idea of paternalism.
Libertarianis Burke advocated free trade and a market economy on the grounds that such arrangements were efficient,
Core ideas
Pragmatism Pragmatism rejects ideology in favour of practical experience. The approach to society should be flexible
with decisions made on the basis of what works.
Oakeshott: “to be a Conservative is to prefer the tried to the untried”
Pragmatism is strongly linked to conservatives’ view of human rationality. Humans lack the intellectual
ability and powers of reasoning to fully comprehend the complex realities of the world ⇒ conservatives
dismiss abstract ideas such as human rights, classless society and equality as they are dangerous – can
promote a radical reordering of society through revolution that leads to worse rather than better
conditions.
⇒ conservatives act in a pragmatic way that emphasizes causation, moderation and a sense of historical
continuity
For traditional conservatives such as Burke, pragmatism was an essential element in facilitating ‘natural’/
inevitable change within a state or society ⇒ for the state to keep going it would have to adapt to some
extent – cautious pragmatism would bring about necessary change peacefully through evolution.
change to conserve: society should adopt to changing circumstances by introducing moderate reforms
rather than reject change completely and risk rebellion/revolution
one-nation conservatives hold similar attitudes to social reform + more recently adopted pragmatic
‘middle way’ approach to the economy that combines market competition with government regulation
Tradition – attachment to tradition ⇒ the institutions, customs and practices of a society that have developed over
time
–justification of tradition:
Originally had religious roots - Conservatives saw society’s institutions and practices as ‘God-given’.
Humans who attempt to alter these longstanding social arrangements are challenging the will of god
Nowadays conservatives offer non-religious arguments for the value of tradition
1. tradition constitutes the accumulated wisdom of the past
Burke: society was a “partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who
are living, those who are dead and those who are to be born” ⇒ institutions, customs and practices
of the past have demonstrated their value to earlier societies as they have proved ‘fit for purpose’
over time and survived so they should be preserved for future generations to also benefit from
them. Each generation has a duty to safeguard and pass on the accumulated wisdom of tradition
to the next generation.
2. tradition provides society + the individual with a strong sense of identity – long-established
institutions, customs and practices are familiar and provide individuals with a historically bases
sense of belonging to a particular society
Tradition offers humans a reassuring collective sense of who they are
Human – pessimistic view on human nature- incapable of reaching a state of perfection
imperfection
, Humans are flawed in a number of ways, which makes them incapable of making good decisions for
themselves.
Human imperfection has to be monitored due to the human capacity for evil:
o tough stance on law and order is required to deter criminal behaviour
o foreign policy has to be based on national security rather than international cooperation and
harmony
o human behaviour is competitive ⇒ a successful political system will recognize that self-interest is
more powerful motivator than altruism.
Organic People cannot exist separately from society – society and social groups provide individuals with a sense of
society security and purpose and prevent the development of anomie (isolation)
Organicism: the idea of an organic society or state – views society as a living organism with all its parts
working together in harmony to ensure the ‘body’ remains healthy.
o internal elements of an organic society cannot be randomly rearranged. Organic society is
maintained by a delicate set of relationships between these elements. If this balance is disrupted,
society will be undermined
o organic society is based on natural needs and instincts such as affection, security and concern rather
than an ideology.
Supporting the idea of organic society is the conservative belief in hierarchy and authority ⇒ a
hierarchical organic society encourages paternalism as a means to ensure social unity. This hierarchical
structure of organic society is reinforced by authority which develops naturally/organically in the same
way as society. This form of authority operates in a top-down manner. Authority resides with political
leaders, employers, managers etc.
*However, the actions of people holding such authority are limited by the natural responsibilities that
accompany their privileged position.
Paternalism Paternalism is the idea of government by people who are best equipped to lead because of birth,
inheritance and upbringing.
Burke argued that the ‘natural aristocracy’ guided society much like a father guiding his family. The social
elite provides leadership because of its hereditary abilities.
Those at the top of society have a duty to care for the lower social ranks.
Traditional conservatism
Paternalistic leaders were drawn from the aristocratic elite that had been educated in the values of social
obligation and public service, and had provided the senior political decision makers for generations.
One nation conservatism
Has relied on government regulation of the economy and social welfare measures to improve conditions
for the poorest in society. UK Conservative PM David Cameron, drew on paternalism when he called for
“compassionate conservatism”. The origins of one nation paternalistic conservatism are usually traced
back to the works of Disraeli.
New Right completely rejects the idea of paternalism.
Libertarianis Burke advocated free trade and a market economy on the grounds that such arrangements were efficient,
