Differing Views & Tensions in Conservatism (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Introduction to the strands of Conservatism

• Conservatism contains several different strands that have developed over time in response to major social and economic changes

  • They share core assumptions such as respect for tradition, scepticism about human nature and a preference for order and stability

  • They differ on how much change is acceptable, the role of the state, and the balance between freedom and authority

• The three main strands you need to know are:

  • Traditional Conservatism which emphasises hierarchy, order, and paternalism

  • One-Nation Conservatism – an adaptation of traditional ideas to reduce social division caused by capitalism

  • The New Right – a late 20th-century development combining neo-liberal free-market ideas with neo-conservative commitments to authority and public morality

Summary of views on social order and economic freedom

• 'Higher social order' is an ideology that believes strongly in:

  • authority; clear hierarchy; strong policing; strict moral and social rules; maintaining order over individual freedom; traditional values

    • E.g., Traditional Conservatism, Neo-Conservatism

• 'Lower social order' is an ideology that places less emphasis on:

  • strict hierarchy, heavy policing, strong authority, rigid social/moral rules

    • E.g., One-Nation Conservatism, Neo-Liberalism

Traditional Conservatism

• Traditional Conservatism emerged after the French Revolution as a defence of social hierarchy and order

  • Conservatives feared that radical change would undermine social cohesion

• The monarchy, the Church and other traditional institutions should, in the view of traditional conservatives, be preserved

  • Reforms should be introduced gradually

• According to traditional conservatives, society is shaped by a natural hierarchy of governance, making inequality inevitable

  • However, it is paired with a paternalistic duty to support and protect those in need

• An organic society based on paternalism, shared obligations and moral order is central to traditional conservative thinking

Key thinkers

• Burke – “reform to conserve”; society as a contract between generations

• Hobbes – strong authority needed for stability; subjects offer loyalty for protection

• Oakeshott – politics is a “conversation”; change should be gradual and evolutionary

One-Nation Conservatism

• One Nation conservatism emerged as a response to the intense industrial poverty that developed during the Industrial Revolution

• Its supporters sought to promote the unity of the whole nation, encouraging all classes to feel a shared identity while preserving the existing social hierarchy

• The tradition also advocated limited reforms, such as widening the franchise and introducing basic welfare measures, to maintain social stability and prevent social unrest

• Economically, One Nation conservatives argued for pragmatic, centrist policies, favouring a mixed economy and accepting limited state intervention where necessary

• Above all, this strand of conservatism places strong emphasis on national unity, rather than focusing solely on the maintenance of social hierarchy

Key thinkers

• Disraeli (Sybil, 1845) – warned of “two nations”; supported limited reform to prevent class conflict

• Macmillan (The Middle Way, 1938) – proposed a middle ground between socialism and laissez-faire

New Right Conservatism

• There are two strands within new right conservatism

1. Neo-liberals

• Concerned with the economy and individual freedom

• Support free-market economics, deregulation, low tax, individual responsibility

• Favour minimal state intervention in the economy

• Argue for an atomistic view of society

• More positive view of human rationality

2. Neo-conservatives

• Concerned with society, cohesion and traditional values

• Emphasise law, order and moral authority

• Seek to restore importance of social hierarchy

• Support moral guidance and patriotism

• Oppose permissiveness; return to traditional values

Key thinkers

• Rand – freedom through capitalism and laissez-faire economics

• Nozick (Anarchy, State and Utopia, 1974) – only a minimal state is justified

Summary of Conservatism and the four themes

What do conservatives think about the four themes?