Welcome to Conservatism!
Welcome to your study notes for Conservatism, a core ideology for AQA A Level Politics. If you’ve ever heard the phrase "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it," you’ve already grasped the starting point of Conservative thought! In this chapter, we will explore why Conservatives value tradition, why they are skeptical of radical change, and how they view everything from the power of the State to the way we behave as humans.
Don't worry if some of the philosophy sounds heavy at first. We’ll break it down into simple concepts and look at the five key thinkers you need to know for your exam.
1. Core Ideas and Values
Conservatism isn't just about "liking old things." It is a political philosophy based on several "pillars" that provide stability to society. Think of these as the foundation of a building.
Tradition
Conservatives believe that tradition is the "accumulated wisdom of the past." They argue that institutions like the Monarchy, the Church, or even the family unit have survived for a reason—because they work! Edmund Burke famously described society as a partnership between "those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born."
Human Imperfection
Unlike some ideologies (like Liberalism) that think humans are naturally rational and "good," Conservatives are more pessimistic. They believe humans are imperfect in three ways:
• Psychologically: We crave safety and belonging more than total freedom.
• Morally: We are naturally selfish or "fallen" creatures.
• Intellectually: The world is too complex for us to fully understand, so "big plans" to change society usually fail.
Organic Society
Conservatives see society like a living organism (like a human body or a plant) rather than a machine. You can’t just swap out a "part" of a body without hurting the whole thing. This means:
• Hierarchy: Different parts of the body have different roles. It’s natural for some people to lead and others to follow.
• Authority: We need clear rules and leaders to keep us from falling into chaos.
Private Property
Owning property is vital. It gives people a "stake in society" and encourages them to be responsible. If you own your house, you are more likely to care about your neighborhood and obey the law to protect what you own.
Quick Review: Conservatism favors stability over radical change. They believe in the "politics of imperfection."
2. The Different Strands of Conservatism
Conservatism has changed over time. You need to know the journey from Traditional Conservatism to the New Right.
Traditional Conservatism
This started as a reaction against the French Revolution. It emphasizes "change to conserve"—the idea that you should make small, necessary reforms to prevent a massive, violent revolution. It values paternalism (the idea that the wealthy should look after the poor, like a father looks after a child).
The New Right
This emerged in the 1970s and 80s (think Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan). It is actually a "marriage" of two different ideas:
1. Neo-liberalism: Radical support for the free market, low taxes, and individual choice (often linked to Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick).
2. Neo-conservatism: A desire for a strong state to maintain order, traditional family values, and a tough approach to law and order.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume all Conservatives want the same thing! Neo-liberals want the government out of the economy, but Neo-conservatives want the government to be very strict about social behavior.
3. The Big Five Thinkers
For Paper 3, you must refer to these thinkers. Here is the "cheat sheet" for what they believed:
Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679)
• Human Nature: He had a very dark view. He said that without a strong government, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
• The State: Because humans are so violent and selfish, we need a Sovereign (a very powerful ruler) to keep us in check. We give up our freedom in exchange for security.
Edmund Burke (1729–1797)
• Anti-Jacobinism: He hated the French Revolution because it tried to destroy everything (the King, the Church) and start from scratch.
• Change to Conserve: He argued that society should change slowly, like a tree growing, rather than through violent revolution.
• Whig Principles: He believed in trustee representation (leaders should use their best judgment, not just follow the crowd).
Michael Oakeshott (1901–1990)
• Politics of Scepticism: He was skeptical of "rationalist" politicians who think they have a perfect blueprint for society.
• Tradition: He famously said that politics is like "sailing a boundless sea" where there is no starting point and no destination. The goal is just to keep the boat afloat.
• Analogy: He compared being a Conservative to preferring "the familiar to the unknown" and "the tried to the untried."
Ayn Rand (1905–1982)
• Objectivism/Egoism: She believed that "selfishness" is actually a virtue! Humans should pursue their own happiness and not be forced to look after others.
• The State: She hated statism (government control). She believed the state should only protect individual rights and nothing else. No welfare, no business regulations.
Robert Nozick (1938–2002)
• The Minimal State: He argued for a "night-watchman state." The government should only protect us from theft and violence.
• Wealth: He believed that if you earned your money fairly through "freely exchanged contracts," the government has no right to take it through taxes (he famously called taxation "forced labor").
4. Comparing the Core Themes
In your exam, you might be asked how these ideas apply to the State, Society, or the Economy. Here is a quick breakdown:
The State
• Traditionalists (Hobbes/Burke): Want a strong state to provide order and protect tradition.
• New Right (Nozick/Rand): Want a minimal state that stays out of people’s lives and the economy.
Human Nature
• Hobbes/Oakeshott: Humans are flawed, fragile, and need guidance.
• Rand/Nozick: Humans are rational individuals who are capable of looking after themselves without the state "nannying" them.
The Economy
• Burke: Supported the free market but felt it must be underpinned by a stable, traditional society.
• New Right: Totally committed to the free market. They believe inequality of wealth is fine as long as it results from free choice.
5. Exam Tips: The 9-Mark and 25-Mark Questions
When answering questions on Conservatism, remember these steps:
For 9-Mark Questions ("Explain and analyse..."):
1. Give three clear points.
2. Use key vocabulary (e.g., "Organic Society," "Paternalism," "Empiricism").
3. Mention at least one thinker per point to show deep knowledge.
For 25-Mark Questions (Extracts and Essays):
• Look for Tensions: The most common debate is between Traditional Conservatism (which likes order and paternalism) and the New Right (which likes radical freedom in the economy).
• Use the Thinkers: Don't just list them; use them to back up your arguments. For example: "While Burke argued for the importance of tradition, Nozick challenged this by focusing on individual rights and the minimal state."
Did you know? The Conservative Party in the UK is one of the oldest political parties in the world. Its ability to "change to conserve" is why many historians believe it has been so successful at winning elections over the last 200 years!
Key Takeaway:
Conservatism is the "politics of reality." It starts with the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. It balances the need for order and authority with a deep respect for tradition and private property.