Chapter 3 -Conservatism

1. Basic Definition

Conservatism is an ideology that seeks to conserve or

retain social and political values and institutions. It is
characterized by a cautious approach to change,
prioritizing stability and tradition over sudden or
revolutionary transformations.
Key Ideas:
● While not inherently opposed to change,
conservatism insists that changes should be gradual
and cautious, avoiding disruptions to social order.
● It is particularly suspicious of revolutionary change, as
such upheavals often disregard the lessons of history
and tradition​
2. Communitarian Roots

Conservatism places significant emphasis on the

importance of community over the individual.
● Human Nature: Humans are fundamentally social
and dependent on communities. They are not entirely
autonomous but shaped by social institutions and
practices.
 ● Moral Infrastructure: Communities provide norms
and values that guide individuals, offering a
framework for social cooperation and stability
3. Central Themes of Conservatism

Human Nature

Conservatives view human nature as inherently flawed,

emphasizing:
● Dependence: Individuals rely on society for moral
and cultural development.
● Moral and Rational Deficiencies: Humans are prone
to selfishness, greed, and irrational behavior. Thus,
guidance from tradition and authority is essential​
Society

Conservatives regard society as an organic whole,

naturally evolved rather than artificially constructed.
● Tradition and Hierarchies: Social institutions,
customs, and hierarchies emerge naturally and
preserve societal stability.
● Duties over Rights: Society is held together by
mutual obligations, not merely individual rights​
Value of Tradition

Tradition embodies the wisdom of the past, offering

familiarity and stability. Conservatives argue that tradition
fosters:
 ● Social Cohesion: A shared culture rooted in history.
● Security: Stability through practices that have
endured over time
Authority

Authority is viewed as necessary to maintain social order

and cohesion.
● Evolved Authority: Traditional political and cultural
authorities embody collective wisdom.
● Limits on Human Passions: Authority restrains
human tendencies toward chaos and disorder
4. Role of Politics

Conservatives see politics as a means to preserve the

inherited way of life rather than to impose abstract ideals.
Views on State and Government:
● State as a Partnership: A contract between
generations to safeguard tradition.
● Government’s Role: To maintain order and reflect
the customs and values of society. It should provide a
framework for individuals to meet their needs without
imposing utopian visions​
Maintenance of Social Order and Stability

The central political objective of conservatism is to ensure

social order and stability. Politics is seen as a tool to
prevent chaos and disruption, which conservatism
perceives as inherent risks of rapid or revolutionary
change.
Key Points:
● Role of the Government: The government acts as a
servant to inherited traditions, maintaining the order
that allows individuals to meet their needs within a
stable framework.
● Legal Framework: Politics ensures a legal system
that reflects societal values and provides a structure
for resolving disputes​

3. Reflecting Societal Customs and Values

Conservatism emphasizes that politics should mirror the

customs, traditions, and values of society rather than
impose abstract principles. This approach ensures that
political actions align with the cultural identity and moral
fabric of the community.
Key Points:
● Tradition Over Rationalism: Conservatives argue
that long-standing practices and institutions are more
reliable than theoretical innovations, as they are
grounded in real-world experience.
 ● Community-Oriented Policies: Politics is used to
uphold collective values that prioritize duties and
obligations over individual right
Schools of Conservatism

Conservatism, as an ideology, is not monolithic. It

encompasses various schools of thought, each reflecting
different interpretations of how tradition, authority, and
social order should be upheld in response to changing
historical and cultural contexts. The major schools of
conservatism include Authoritarian Conservatism,
Paternalistic Conservatism, and Neo-Conservatism.

1. Authoritarian Conservatism

This school emphasizes the necessity of strong authority

to maintain social order, hierarchy, and stability. It often
advocates for centralized power and unquestioning
obedience to traditional institutions.
Core Beliefs:
● Support for Authority: Authority is considered
essential to ensure safety and prevent social chaos.
● Focus on Hierarchy: Social hierarchies are viewed
as natural and beneficial for maintaining order.
 ● Resistance to Individualism: Individual freedoms
are subordinate to the collective good enforced by
authority.
Key Thinkers and Examples:
● Thomas Hobbes: Advocated for a strong sovereign
authority to prevent anarchy and the "state of nature."
● Joseph de Maistre: Supported the restoration of
monarchy and the church to counter the instability
caused by the French Revolution.
● Heinrich von Treitschke: Emphasized the imperial
state as the center of national and cultural life​(18 PPT
Conservatism).

2. Paternalistic Conservatism

Paternalistic conservatism is characterized by the belief

that the privileged have a moral duty to care for the less
fortunate. This school combines a commitment to social
hierarchy with a sense of social responsibility.
Core Beliefs:
● Noblesse Oblige: The wealthy and powerful have an
obligation to protect and uplift those less privileged.
● Pragmatic Reform: Gradual reforms are preferred to
preserve social stability and prevent revolutionary
change.
 ● Qualified Support for Welfare: While favoring
hierarchy, paternalistic conservatives support limited
welfare measures to address social inequities.
Key Thinkers and Examples:
● Edmund Burke: Argued for cautious, evolutionary
change rather than radical revolution. His critique of
the French Revolution underscored the value of
tradition and prudence.
● Benjamin Disraeli: Promoted the "One-Nation" policy
to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor,
emphasizing social cohesion through reform​(18 PPT
Conservatism).

3. Neo-Conservatism

Neo-conservatism emerged in the late 20th century as a

response to the perceived excesses of liberalism, cultural
permissiveness, and the weakening of national identity. It
blends elements of traditional conservatism with modern
economic policies.
Core Beliefs:
● Strong State: Advocates for a robust state to ensure
national security, enforce moral values, and provide
leadership.
 ● Cultural Traditionalism: Opposes cultural relativism
and promotes moral absolutism, emphasizing
traditional family values and clear distinctions
between right and wrong.
● Economic Liberalism: Incorporates neo-liberal
economic principles, such as deregulation and
privatization, while retaining a focus on social order.
● Nationalism: Emphasizes the preservation of
national sovereignty and identity, often expressing
concerns about immigration and globalization.
Key Thinkers and Examples:
● Irving Kristol and Norman Podhoretz: Key
intellectual figures in shaping neo-conservative
thought.
● Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher: Leaders
who implemented neo-conservative policies,
combining economic deregulation with a strong
emphasis on traditional values and national
security​(18 PPT Conservatism).

Comparison of the Schools

Aspect Authoritarian Paternalistic Neo-Conserva

Conservatism Conservatism tism
View Absolute and Authority is Strong state for
of unquestionabl linked to social leadership and
Author e. responsibility enforcing moral
ity and reform. values.

Social Emphasizes Supports Combines

Order hierarchy and hierarchy but hierarchy with
obedience. encourages nationalism and
reforms to cultural unity.
prevent unrest.

Econo Centralized Mixed Free-market

mic and controlled. economy with policies with
Policy moderate limited state
welfare economic
measures. intervention.

Cultur Traditional Values tradition Opposes

al values but is open to cultural
Focus enforced gradual, relativism and
through pragmatic promotes moral
centralized change. absolutism.
power.
Key Hobbes, de Burke, Disraeli. Reagan,
Figure Maistre, Thatcher,
s Treitschke. Kristol,
Podhoretz.

Conclusion

The schools of conservatism—authoritarian, paternalistic,

and neo-conservative—reflect diverse approaches to
preserving tradition and maintaining social order. While
authoritarian conservatism prioritizes absolute authority
and hierarchy, paternalistic conservatism tempers this with
social responsibility and reform. Neo-conservatism, as a
modern adaptation, blends traditional values with
free-market policies and strong nationalism. Together,
these schools demonstrate the ideological flexibility of
conservatism in addressing different historical and cultural
challenges.

A Comparative Analysis of Neo-Liberalism and

Neo-Conservatism
Neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism are two significant
ideological frameworks that have shaped modern politics
and economics, particularly in the late 20th century. While
both emphasize free markets and minimal state
intervention in economic affairs, they differ fundamentally
in their cultural and political outlooks. This essay explores
the similarities and differences between the two
ideologies, focusing on their views on the economy, the
role of the state, and societal values.

1. Shared Economic Foundations

Both neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism advocate for

free-market principles and oppose excessive government
intervention in the economy.
Neo-Liberalism: Economics First

● Neo-liberalism emerged in the 1970s as a

Core Beliefs:

response to economic stagnation and the perceived

failures of Keynesian policies and welfare states. It
emphasizes deregulation, privatization, and the
reduction of public sector influence.
● Key Thinkers: Influenced by economists like
Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman, neo-liberalism
asserts that economic growth and individual freedom
are best achieved through competitive markets.
● Policy Focus: Minimal state interference,
privatization of industries, and reducing welfare
programs​(17 PPT Liberalism (1))​(18 PPT
Conservatism).
Neo-Conservatism: Selective Embrace of Economic Freedom
 ● Neo-conservatism adopts many neo-liberal
Core Beliefs:

economic prescriptions but views markets as a means

to achieve broader cultural and national goals rather
than ends in themselves.
● Policy Focus: While supporting deregulation and free
markets, neo-conservatives also emphasize the need
for state intervention in specific areas to preserve
traditional values and social order​(18 PPT
Conservatism).
Key Similarity:
Both ideologies promote free markets as a cornerstone of
economic policy, aiming to reduce the state's role in
economic management.

2. Divergence in the Role of the State

Neo-Liberalism: Minimal State Intervention

● Neo-liberalism envisions a limited government

primarily tasked with creating a conducive
environment for markets to function efficiently.
● It opposes welfare programs, viewing them as
distortions in the natural functioning of markets. The
state’s role is to enforce contracts, protect property
rights, and maintain law and order​(17 PPT Liberalism
(1)).
Neo-Conservatism: Strong State for Social and National Goals
 ● Neo-conservatives, while advocating economic
freedom, emphasize a strong state to uphold national
security, law, and order, and to reinforce traditional
values.
● The state is seen as an instrument to counter cultural
relativism, permissiveness, and the erosion of societal
cohesion due to immigration and globalization​(18 PPT
Conservatism).
Key Difference:
Neo-liberalism focuses on reducing the state's influence
across all sectors, while neo-conservatism seeks a strong
state to enforce social cohesion and moral order.

3. Views on Society and Culture

Neo-Liberalism: Individualism and Globalization

● Neo-liberalism prioritizes individual autonomy and

consumer choice, with little emphasis on collective
identity or cultural cohesion.
● It is closely associated with globalization, promoting
open borders, international trade, and cultural
integration​(17 PPT Liberalism (1)).
Neo-Conservatism: Community and Tradition

● Neo-conservatives stress the importance of

community, tradition, and shared cultural values. They
 are skeptical of globalization, which they believe
undermines national identity and sovereignty.
● Neo-conservatism opposes cultural relativism,
advocating for moral absolutism and traditional family
structures as foundations of social stability​(18 PPT
Conservatism).
Key Difference:
Neo-liberalism champions global integration and cultural
fluidity, while neo-conservatism defends national identity
and traditional values.

4. Approach to Social Issues

Neo-Liberalism: Liberal Social Policies

● Neo-liberalism often aligns with progressive social

policies, supporting rights for marginalized groups
such as women, LGBTQ+ communities, and racial
minorities.
● Social policies are seen as secondary to economic
freedom and growth​(17 PPT Liberalism (1)).
Neo-Conservatism: Conservative Social Policies

● Neo-conservatives oppose liberal social policies,

arguing that permissiveness and cultural relativism
erode moral foundations and societal cohesion.
 ● They advocate for strict laws, traditional family values,
and moral education to combat what they see as a
decline in social discipline​(18 PPT Conservatism).
Key Difference:
Neo-liberalism adopts a more permissive stance on social
issues, while neo-conservatism seeks to reinforce
traditional moral values and societal norms.

5. Political Influence and Legacy

Both ideologies gained prominence during the late 20th

century, particularly under leaders like Margaret Thatcher
and Ronald Reagan, who incorporated aspects of both
neo-liberal and neo-conservative policies in their
governance.
Neo-Liberalism's Legacy:

● Deregulation of industries, tax cuts, and a reduced

welfare state.
● Advocated for global free trade and economic
liberalization​(17 PPT Liberalism (1)).
Neo-Conservatism's Legacy:

● Emphasis on national security, strong defense

policies, and cultural nationalism.
● Policies opposing immigration and cultural relativism
to preserve social cohesion​(18 PPT Conservatism).
Conclusion

Neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism share a commitment

to free markets but diverge significantly in their views on
the role of the state, societal values, and cultural issues.
While neo-liberalism prioritizes economic freedom and
globalization, neo-conservatism emphasizes national
identity, moral order, and social stability. Together, these
ideologies have shaped contemporary politics, often
blending their principles in practice, as seen in the policies
of Thatcher and Reagan. However, their differing
priorities—economic efficiency versus cultural
preservation—highlight their distinct philosophical
foundations.

Criticisms of Conservatism
1. Legitimizing Inequality

Conservatism is often criticized for protecting the status

quo, which can perpetuate social hierarchies and
inequalities.
● Preserving Privilege: By resisting structural change,
conservatism tends to favor existing power structures,
often benefiting the wealthy and powerful elites at the
expense of marginalized groups.
 ● Opposition to Redistribution: Conservative policies
are typically skeptical of wealth redistribution or social
reforms that might challenge entrenched hierarchies.
Example: Critics argue that conservative opposition to
socialist or progressive reforms has historically slowed
efforts to address economic inequality and expand civil
rights.

2. Opposition to Rationalism

Conservatism’s reliance on tradition and historical

experience is viewed as a dismissal of reason, logic, and
innovation.
● Skepticism of Abstract Ideals: Conservatives often
reject principles like freedom, equality, and justice as
abstract theories, arguing that they fail to account for
the complexities of human society.
● Preference for Tradition Over Progress: This
approach can lead to resistance against scientific,
technological, or ideological advancements that
challenge long-standing norms.
Example: During periods of scientific or industrial
revolutions, conservatives were often slow to embrace
changes that could disrupt traditional social or economic
practices.
3. Associations with Extremism

Some forms of conservatism have been linked to

authoritarian or fascist ideologies, drawing criticism for
their potential to suppress freedoms.
● Support for Authoritarian Regimes: Authoritarian
conservatism, with its emphasis on strong authority,
has at times aligned with fascist movements.
● Resistance to Pluralism: Conservatives’ emphasis
on cultural cohesion and traditional values can lead to
opposition to multiculturalism and diverse
perspectives.
Example: Fascist regimes in Europe during the 20th
century used conservative rhetoric to justify authoritarian
rule and suppress dissent.

Adaptability of Conservatism
Despite these criticisms, conservatism has demonstrated
remarkable adaptability, allowing it to remain relevant in
changing socio-political contexts. This flexibility has
enabled conservatism to integrate new ideas while
maintaining its core principles of stability and tradition.
1. Extension of Suffrage in the UK
 ● Benjamin Disraeli’s "One-Nation
Disraeli’s Reforms:

Conservatism" extended voting rights to working-class

men in the 19th century. This reform sought to
preserve social cohesion by integrating the working
class into the political system.
● Gradual Change: Disraeli’s approach exemplified
conservatism’s preference for controlled, incremental
reform over revolutionary change.
Impact: By addressing the demands of disenfranchised
groups, conservatism retained its relevance while
mitigating the risk of radical political movements.

2. Social Insurance Policies in Germany

● In the late 19th century, Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck:

introduced social insurance policies, including health,

accident, and old-age insurance, as part of a
conservative strategy to prevent socialist uprisings.
● Noblesse Oblige: This approach reflected the
paternalistic view that the ruling class has a
responsibility to care for the less fortunate,
maintaining stability through reform.
Impact: Bismarck’s policies are considered the foundation
of modern welfare states, demonstrating how
conservatism can adapt to social pressures while
upholding traditional hierarchies.
3. Embrace of Free-Market Economics

● In the 20th century, conservatism

Neo-Conservatism:

evolved to incorporate neoliberal economic principles,

advocating for free markets, deregulation, and
privatization.
● Thatcher and Reagan: Leaders like Margaret
Thatcher and Ronald Reagan combined economic
liberalism with conservative cultural values, adapting
conservatism to address the challenges of
globalization and economic stagnation.
Impact: By aligning with market-driven policies,
conservatism positioned itself as a proponent of economic
efficiency while maintaining its commitment to individual
responsibility and limited government intervention.

4. Resistance to Immigration and Cultural Change

● In recent decades, conservatism has

Cultural Conservatism:

responded to globalization and multiculturalism by

emphasizing national identity, sovereignty, and
traditional values.
● Neo-Conservative Nationalism: Calls for stricter
immigration controls and the preservation of cultural
traditions reflect conservatism’s adaptability in
addressing contemporary social concerns.
Impact: This focus has helped conservatism appeal to
voters concerned about cultural and economic
displacement, though it has also drawn criticism for
fostering exclusionary policies.