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Key Concepts of Conservatism - Politics Edexcel B

Hi, anyone know what are the official key concepts of conservatism and their explanations?!? cos the exam board says one thing and my teachers say another... but ive lost my sheet with all the descriptions of the key concepts anyway, grr. I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to post them here? thanks, tis much appreciated :smile:
Reply 1
when you say key concepts do you mean core themes? how do what your teachers say and the exam board differ?
Reply 2
well my teachers say they are: pragmatism, libertarianism, human imperfection, property, hierarchy, authority, organic, family & nation, tradition....which is quite a LOT of key concepts, which i guess must be the same as core themes? but then the exam board say the core themes are: tradition, organic society, hierarchy, authority and libertarianism. these are kinda similar...but different!! i have no idea which ones are correct...and i have no proper descriptions for them :s-smilie: how much have you revised? cos ive only just started today! :biggrin:
Reply 3
I haven't done any since the stuff I did when I was still at school but I only need a C to get an A so I'm hoping to leave it til the three days before the exam. I would say it depends why you need the core themes. If you're using them to structure an essay go with tradition, human imperfection, hierarchy & authority, organic society and property, and then weave ideas such as libertarianism in with answering the question.
Reply 4
ahh ok, thanks :smile: you know their proper definitions tho?
Reply 5
I'm writing my own revision guide, this is what i've done for conservatism, I hope it helps.... Core Principles are near the bottom but the rest may still be of interest.

Conservatism
Origins:
Conservatism means to be caution, suspicious of change and to prefer to keep things as they are. An extreme conservative doesn’t change anything at all.
First developed by Edmund Burke in his book ‘reflections on a revolution in France’ (1790) He believed that society evolves over time through gradually accumulating wisdoms of the past, and that it couldn’t be rushed through rapid or violent change, nor be improved through abstract ideas or blueprints. He believed it would be extremely dangerous to base politics on the belief that people are or could be completely rational or predictable in dealing with one another. This view had several implications:
The maintenance of peace and order in society requires a proper framework maintained by the state.
Individuals aren’t capable of self-regulation
Blamed human nature for problems in society.
Talent and ability are not equally distributed within society therefore trying to impose equality in society would fail.
They believed there would not be exploitation of the less privileged because those in a privileged position have the responsibility to use their advantages for the benefit of others.

Traditional:
Follows the values and attitudes held in the past by the land owning aristocracy.
It has strong links with the Monarchy and the House of Lords.
Stresses Patriotism and authority.
Opposes social and political changes such as the emancipation of women, racial integration, legislation on abortion, and integration into Europe. This is called maintaining the ‘status quo’ (Protecting the here and now).
Oppose any constitutional changes in society such as the introduction of the bill of rights.
Strong supporters of social discipline, law and order. Believing that punishment is an important way of dealing with crime.
In favour of capital punishment.

Liberal (Neo-liberalism):
Draws on classic liberalism and places it into a conservative framework.
Utilises the liberal ideal of a free market economy (Hayek and Friedman) Believing that state interference with the economy is unnecessary and a hindrance. This included support for privatisation
Moral Decisions cannot be left to the individual; it is the responsibility of the state.
A strong state is required to maintain public order and ensure traditional values are upheld.
The welfare state undermines self-reliance and enterprise; they fear it will create idleness.
Lower taxes and the deregulation of business.
Blame the victim for origins of poverty and unemployment.


One Nation:
Developed by Benjamin Disraeli (1804-81).
He wanted to broaden the support of the Conservative Party (This means it wasn’t supported for its beliefs and values but rather for its ability to win votes).
He believed that despite class differences, the interests of uniting the British people were of far greater importance than those dividing them.
It was the duty of the privileged to look after those in need.
Realised that growing inequality in Britain had the potential to lead to a violent uprising. As the duty of conservatism is to protect property, it had to do something to make sure this didn’t happen.
The aim was to protect the long-term interest of the wealthy. They do this through a false class consciousness, though unity between classes and minimum social security blankets such as the minimal support of the Keynesian welfare system. (An importance of social safety to deal with poverty in addition to a limited redistribution of wealth).
Belief that there is a natural hierarchy within society with the wealthy at the top and the poor at the bottom. And that those at the top had a duty to alleviate the suffering of those at the bottom.
Paternalistic commitment to care for all members of the community.
Government intervention in the economy to regulate methods.

New Right:
This refers to the adoption of ‘Liberal’ Conservatism over One nation conservatism as the main practise of the UK Conservatism. As many of liberal conservatism’s views are seen as ‘right wing’ and liberal conservatism is a fairly new practise in politics it is called the New Right.

View of:

Human Nature:
“Imperfect and imperfectable” Andrew Heywood.
“Conservatism is the philosophy of human imperfection”
Owners of property are more likely to respect other property, which is an extension of an individual’s personality.
Human Rationality is unreliable and moral corruption is implicit in each individual.
Essentially limited, security-seeking.

State:
“Reform from above is better than revolt from bellow” Benjamin Disraeli. Represents a view of the states role towards society (This is a One nation ideal)
“Government was not designed to make man good, or even better” Michael Oakeshott
"A state without the means of change is without the means of its conservation." Edmund Burke. This represents how conservatism is organic in nature.


Society:
“Shaped by the laws of our creators” Edmund Burke. This shows how conservatism wants to maintain the status Quo.
Those who are living, those who are dead and those yet to be born”
Human nature is the source of society’s problems.
Individuals are not

Economy:
Property reflects talent and ability. Wealth is an important economic incentive.

Quotes:
‘Of all the features of the Conservative Party the intense concern with winning elections and holding office is its most notable’ Richard Rose 1965

"A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve". Edmund Burke



Is conservatism a Political Ideology?

Yes:
It has dominated government over the past 200 years
Dominant political figures such as Disraeli
Some key points are consistent such as the support of the landed gentry.
Its not an intellectual ideology
It’s just a broader ideology that evolves to keep itself relevant; this means it’s more capable of fitting the social/political climate than any other.
No:
It is just a reaction to other ideologies.
Their beliefs aren’t set; they mould to fit a political/social climate.
An abstract view of how society should operate rather than a way a state should be operated.
Refer to attitudes and dispositions rather than principles.
Only desire to be in government (power) than to represent the interests of the country.
Don’t tend to philosophise unlike other ideologies
It is a part instead
No text which they can say represents the basis of their beliefs.

Core Principles:
Tradition
Human Imperfection
Organic Community
Hierarchy and authority
Property

Key Thinkers:
Thomas Hobbes Wrote Leviathan (1651) defended absolutist government as the only alternative to anarchy and disorder and provided a rational defence to authoritarian.
Edmund Burke -
Reply 6
wow, thank you so much. That's really helpful :smile: I am still getting well stressed out tho....how can i possibly revise for paper 4 and 5 for tuesday in such a short sace of time?? tis impossible i tell you :frown: