Conservatism Overview

Study Notes

Conservatism

Counterpart to liberalism
Conservatives can also be liberal
Individuals can change their political views
Conservative values can change
Disposition to preserving existing values and resisting change
Traditional conservatism is an ideology of community
Toryism is an ideology of an ideal hierarchy which is seen as a natural order
Conservatism sees the whole (society) as greater than the sum of its parts (individuals)
Favours a strong, but inactive state
Tories are often in favour of traditional institutions, such as monarchy and aristocratic legislative assemblies
Not supporters of absolute monarchy
Favour a balance between monarchy and aristocracy
Toryism is comfortable with authoritarian structures if applied to the 'right' people
Tories lean towards a limited state, particularly in more democratic societies
More likely to support constitutionalism than democracy
Initially, Tories were against markets
Now supportive of the market, but with a focus on the good of the community
Economic nationalism over laissez-faire
Traditional values, including religious and social norms, are valued as part of the necessary structure of society
Less tolerant than liberals, who while also recognizing right and wrong, believe that individuals are responsible for their own choices
Unlike liberals who focus on rights, conservatives believe in fulfilling one's duty
National interest guides foreign policy, which can be expressed aggressively or defensively
Aggressive national interest is evident in colonialism and pursuit of power
Defensive national interest is reflected through policies protecting prosperity and national culture, such as economic measures
Justified by the wisdom of tradition - values handed down through generations should be preserved
Methods that have succeeded in the past are valued over new solutions
All tories are conservatives, but not all conservatives are tories
Traditional toryism is seen as having disappeared as society evolved
Modern conservatism emphasizes the collective over the individual
Hierarchy is seen as a natural aspect of society
The most fortunate have obligations towards the less fortunate within society

Sources of First Generation Ideologies

Edmund Burke is often considered one of the founders of conservatism
His views were sometimes inconsistent, such as his support for the American Revolution but not the French Revolution
He wrote "Reflections on the Revolution in France"

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of conservatism, including its values, historical context, and relationship with liberalism. This quiz also examines the nuances of Toryism and the varying degrees of state involvement. Understand how conservatism prioritizes society over individualism and the evolution of its principles.