Conservatives

• Conservative Party was founded by Benjamin Disraeli in 1867
• Edmund Burke believed society had to have an element of stability as it provided security and protection from chaos.
• Disraeli believed that there were two nations – rich and poor - and he wanted to unite them through social reforms such as education and housing.
• Conservatism


  A political ideology that emphasizes the importance of tradition, hierarchy, and gradual change
• Strands of conservatism


  • Traditional conservatism
  • One Nation conservatism
  • New right
• Traditional conservatism


  • Emphasizes pragmatism, tradition, hierarchy, authority, organic society, and human imperfection
  • Supports gradual, cautious change to preserve institutions and social order
• Hobbes


  A thinker whose ideas on human nature and the role of the state were consistent with later conservative thought, though he preceded the development of conservatism as an ideology
• Edmund Burke


  The "father of conservatism" who articulated a conservative response to the French Revolution, emphasizing the importance of established institutions, social hierarchy, and gradual evolution
• Principles of traditional conservatism

  • Pragmatism
  • Tradition as accumulated wisdom
  • Property ownership
  • Hierarchy and authority
  • Organic society
  • Acknowledgement of human imperfection
• Implementation of traditional conservative principles in 19th century Britain

  • Support for monarchy and Church of England
  • Opposition to Catholic emancipation
  • Support for maintaining hierarchical social structure
  • Support for professional police force and community policing
• Michael Oakeshott


  A 20th century thinker who restated the key principles of traditional conservatism, emphasizing pragmatism, learning from tradition, and accommodating human imperfection
• One Nation conservatism developed in the mid-late 19th century in response to industrialization and the growing appeal of socialism
• Disraeli was key in the development of One Nation conservatism
• In the video, the speaker discusses Hobbes' views on human nature and how the philosopher David Hume moved a bit away from Hobbes, still emphasizing human imperfection but with a less negative view, seeing humans as more fallible and prone to mistakes rather than inherently self-interested, leading to a destructive society
• The speaker then introduces the next strand of conservatism - one nation conservatism - which developed in the mid to late 19th century in response to societal changes brought about by industrialization and the growing influence of socialism among the working classes
• One nation conservatism


  A strategic and philosophical adaptation of traditional conservative values to the realities of a changing society
• Key elements of one nation conservatism

  • Philosophical idea of noblesse oblige - the upper classes have a moral responsibility to look after the well-being of the less fortunate
  • Strategic recognition that change is necessary to conserve tradition and hierarchy in society
• One nation conservatives recognized the need to address the grievances of the working and lower classes to counter the growing support for socialism, which threatened to upend key traditions and institutions
• One nation conservatism emphasized patriotism and the idea of a cohesive society to bridge class divisions and maintain hierarchy
• Social reforms enacted by one nation conservative governments in the 19th century


  • Public Health Act of 1875
  • Artisans and Labourers Dwellings Improvement Act of 1875 - improved public health and sanitary conditions
  • Factory Act - reduced working hours for women and children, improved safety
  • Introduction of income tax as a permanent source of government revenue
• One nation conservative support for government intervention was more modest than modern liberals or socialists
• One nation conservatives, such as Disraeli, introduced the Second Reform Act to extend the franchise, recognising the need to change to conserve tradition and hierarchy
• One nation conservatism in the 20th century, exemplified by Prime Ministers like Harold Macmillan, involved accepting and justifying the post-WWII welfare state and nationalisation, as a pragmatic approach to changing political and economic realities
• The new right, associated with Thatcher and Reagan, emerged in the 1970s in reaction to what it saw as one nation conservatism's excessive concessions to socialist policies
• New right


  A combination of neoliberalism and neoconservatism, positioning itself as a revival of true conservatism
• Key principles rejected by the new right

  • Organic view of society
  • Hierarchy and paternalism
  • Human imperfection
  • Pragmatism and tradition-focused approach
• The new right's emphasis on individualism, freedom, and a market-driven ideology represents a significant break from traditional conservative thought
• Neoliberalism


  An economic and political ideology supporting laissez-faire capitalism, free markets, low public spending, low taxation, and minimal government intervention
• Neoconservatism


  An ideology emphasizing the key role of the state in maintaining order and security, particularly during the Cold War
• The man who attempts to live for others is a dependent, a parasite in motive and makes parasites of those he serves
• Ayn Rand argued against personalism and charity because she believes it creates an unhealthy dependence in those who are supported
• Ayn Rand believes the real moral pursuit is individual freedom and self-interest, not self-sacrifice for others
• Neoconservatism


  Emphasizes the key role of the state in maintaining order and security
• Neoconservatism emerged during the Cold War to tackle the threat of the Soviet Union
• Neoconservatives


  Advocated for a strong military and active international role, as well as a strong state in domestic affairs to provide law and order
• Neoconservatism


  Was characterized by a cultural and moral dimension, including anti-permissiveness and a return to 'Judeo-Christian values'
• Neoconservatives saw the 1960s and 1970s as a period of moral and social decay, with increasing liberalization in social policies and attitudes
• Neoconservatives promoted traditional nuclear family structure and religious values as key to underpinning hierarchy and stability in society
• Many neoconservative views were homophobic and racist
• Neoliberalism and neoconservatism


  Can be seen as compatible or incompatible