consevatism essay plans

• PARAGRAPH 1 - Agreement between traditional and One Nation conservatives over the organic society.

  Both traditional and One Nation conservatives view society as naturally formed (organic) and complex. It cannot be designed or reshaped by human reason. Society needs cautious, respectful maintenance rather than wholescale reorganisation. Two metaphors show these ideas nicely: - First, the natural characteristics of society can be compared to a family. Individuals are born into families, are nurtured by them, and feel a devotion to them. They do not make this choice rationally: it is instinctive. - Second, the complexity of society can be compared to the human body. The health of a human body relies on all its parts (brain, heart, muscles etc.) working in harmony. The sum of the parts is stronger than any individual piece, and any damage to a single part damages the collective. The organic society also leads to natural variety, rather than government- imposed uniformity. This idea stems from Edmund Burke, who declared that 'to love the little platoon we belong to in society, is the first principle of public affections.' Burke was referring to the family unit, the numerous strands of local community and the local church existing in symbiotic harmony.
• PARAGRAPH 2 - Hierarchical societies are accepted by traditional and One Nation conservatives


  As society is organic, it would be foolish to question the hierarchy that has always existed. Thomas Hobbes confirmed a conservative belief in a natural ruling class, writing: 'Some men by nature are made worthy to command.' Burke claimed that: 'true natural aristocracy is not a separate interest in the state. It is essential.' For Burke, natural hierarchy helped provide a ruling class 'to possess the virtues of diligence, order, constancy, and regularity' needed to maintain a healthy society. Even neo-liberals like Rand, who are wary of hierarchy and obligations, accept that there needs to be a state to enforce the rule of law. Conservatives also stress that hierarchy places responsibility on the fortunate to nurture society. Benjamin Disraeli built on this concept of noblesse oblige ['the obligations of the nobility') when he shaped one-nation conservatism. For Disraeli, the fortunate had to prevent the creation of two nations who view each other as 'dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets.' To maintain the precious unity of society, he expected those towards the top of the hierarchy to fund the government's social reforms. In the post-war years, one-nation conservatives embraced the need for the positive freedom that underpins the welfare state. Even Margaret Thatcher, who famously declared 'there is no such thing as society', went on to explain in the same interview that happiness depended on 'how much each of us is prepared to take responsibility for ourselves and...help by our own efforts those who are unfortunate'.
• PARAGRAPH 3 EVAL: Disagreement over the New Right obligation to oneself before society


  Neoliberals such as Ayn Rand reject the concept of noblesse oblige, arguing that the altruism inherent in an organic society is a misrepresentation, as it should not be a duty dictated by the state but the rational action of air individual pursuing his or her own values. The organic state's insistence on welfare spending is damaging for individuals, as it makes many people dependent on the state, which arrests their development.
• PARAGRAPH 3 - Traditional and One Nation conservatives believe in preserving the traditions of society, and even the New Right embrace the tradition of property rights


  Tradition is a vital guiding principle when deciding how to maintain society. The institutions that have produced a healthy society have shown their worth and must be preserved for future generations. Burke referred to the partnership between 'those who are living...those who are dead and those who are to be born'. Tradition's central role in society is also derived from the conservative suspicion of human reason. Being guided by tradition, as the writer G. K. Chesterton explained, is 'a democracy of the dead' and prevents mistakes by 'the arrogant oligarchy... who merely happen to be walking around'? Property is one of society's most valuable traditions. As early as 1933, through Noel Skelton, conservatives advocated a 'property- owning democracy'. Property gives people a stake in society, making them value security and be more respectful of others. Conservatives have made several attempts to create a property-owning society, from Harold Macmillan's 1950s housebuilding to Thatcher's 'Right to Buy' scheme in the 1980s. Property (buildings, artwork, public parks etc.) also represents a gift from previous generations to help create a healthy society. Conservatives desire to be faithful custodians of such property and pass it on to future generations.