one nation conservatism overview

• The updating of traditional conservatism in response to the emergence of capitalism
• Benjamin Disraeli

  • Cons PM in the late 19th century
  • "Father of One Nation"
• Believe social cohesion is undermined by laissez-faire capitalism (minimum government interference in the economy)
• Believe the ruling class has an obligation to maintain the hierachy, applied also to the colonies of the British Empire
• Believe widening inequality would lead to class conflict and possibly revolution

  • Captitalism creates winners and losers
  • More comfortable with a greater level of state intervention
• Disraeli's One Nation - maintaining traditional instiutitons to promote stability, unity and identity
• Disraeli's One Nation - imperialism, to create pride that appeals to all classes and a sense of patriotism
• Disraeli's One Nation - reforms to the working class which restricted laissez faire capitalism and avoided revolution
• 1951-64 - post war Conservative governments implemented One Nation principles as part of a mixed economy

  • Included an expanded welfare state coontinued on from Atlee
  • Macmillan's 'Middle Way' which was a mix of state ownership and private business
• 2010-22 -> Cameron's "compassionate Conservatism"
• 2010-22 -> May's "shared society"
• 2010-22 -> reflected in Johnson's 'levelling up' rhetoric and Red Wall strategy