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Conservatism - Coggle Diagram
Conservatism
SOCIETY
Empiricism: A preference for 'evidence' over 'theory'. "conservatism keeps society afloat rather than taking it to an illusive destination"
Tradition: Customs/habits provide security in an uncertain world. Oakeshott: "society's present direction stems from its past development"
Organicism: Society cannot be created. It emerges organically like a plant. An unplanned society is inevitable as humans are incapable of rationally planning it.
Hierarchy: Human imperfection inevitable leads to an unequal society where the "wiser, stronger and more opulent members" form the ruling class. Noblesse Oblige means that ruling class has a duty to act in the interests of the poor.
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Judaeo-Christian Morality: Strong attachment to religion and more specifically the idea of original sin. This is why conservatives place a strong emphasis on family, marriage and accountability.
Property: Links to tradition/community (inherited between generations), Organicism (property requires maintenance), Paternalism (those with property rights can challenge arbitrary governments)
HUMAN NATURE
Burke: Humans are incapable of rationality and should make decisions based on empiricism rather than progressivism.
Oakeshott: Human nature is the fear of uncertainty. Humans are 'fragile and fallible' but also 'benign and benevolent'
Hobbes: Human nature is ruthlessly selfish, so a formal authority is needed for order. A cold rationality underpins human nature which led to them forming a contract with the state.
New Right (Nozick/Rand): Human nature is founded on self-interest and this fuels enterprise and innovation. But they are 'freedom loving pack animals' and require restraint of formal authority.
Traditional Conservatives: Much more negative than liberalism/socialism. Human imperfection stems from the Old Testament doctrine of original sin. Human nature is not malleable.
THE STATE
Organic Origins: Support for organically emerging states. Sceptical of "rationally" formed states (revolution). Heavy support for unmodified constitutions as they allow empirical growth of the law.
A Ruling Class: Conservatives comfortable with ideas of hierarchy and inequality. The ruling class should exercise aristocratic and autocratic power, but consider Noblesse Oblige principles.
Order & Authority: State's primary function is disciplinary to provide order and security. Hobbes: state preceded society and if there is no order there is no liberty.
Nation State: The nation-state is a mega-community which enfolds all classes. Strong distinction between continental conservatives who believe in separation of state and nation whereas Anglo-Americans believe they are intertwined. This why they are sceptical of supranational bodies.
THE ECONOMY
Laissez-Faire Capitalism: YES: promotes inequality, hierarchy and is the status quo. NO: requires positive view of human nature as it involves rational risk-taking which is incompatible with Hobbesian principle human imperfection
Protectionism: the state increases its intervention in and manages the economy. This is a solution to the incompatibility of laissez-faire with conservatism.
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New Right/Neo-Liberalism: Freeing the market using Laissez-faire frees up government time and money to focus on Neo-conservative policies such as strong law and defence.