organic society and state

Cards (13)

  • Society and social groups provide individuals with a sense of security and purpose, and prevent the development of anomie: defined by an uprooting or breakdown of any moral values, standards or guidance for individuals to follow. 
  •  Anomie may evolve from a conflict of belief systems and cause the breakdown of social bonds between an individual and the community. 
  • Humans should therefore accept the duties and responsibilities that go with belonging to society or social groups,
  •  If people did not acknowledge and act on these responsibilities and bonds, human society would lack social cohesion and descend into  Atomism(the idea that society is made up of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals (also known as egotistical individualism).
  • Tony Blair’s 'Third Way': Emphasized responsibilities along with rights, signaling a conservative approach, particularly with his stance on being "tough on crime."
  • society as an Organism: Society is a living organism, not a machine. It’s made up of parts (individuals, institutions) that interact organically. Damage to these parts disrupts the entire system.
  • Natural Development: Society’s structure (like family) arises from natural instincts (love, responsibility), not human design. Families, for example, are not based on contracts but natural roles.
  • : Traditional institutions (e.g., family) are crucial for social health and should be preserved.
  • The organic society places a great emphasis on belief in hierarchy and authority. Traditionally, conservatism has argued that society is naturally hierarchical — it is based on fixed social ranks and inequalities.
  • Inequality is seen as natural and necessary; higher social ranks bear greater responsibilities (e.g., managers protecting worker welfare).
  • Paternalism: Authority is justified by the belief that experienced individuals "know best." Soft paternalism (with consent) vs. Hard paternalism (without consent, more authoritarian).
  • Authority as Security: Authority provides security, direction, and support, fostering social cohesion and clarifying social roles.
  • Limits on Authority: Authority is not absolute; it includes responsibility. For example, parents or employers shouldn’t abuse their power