Conservatism

Varieties; similarities/differences Edmund Burke’s political thought Conservatism (U.S.) resembles early,

classical liberalism Functions of ideology Ambivalence toward democracy Critique of classical liberalism Critique of welfare, welfare-state

liberalism Human nature, freedom, democracy

History

Edmund Burke older conservatism, classical conservatism

Newer variant, modern or contemporary conservatism

Similarities Conserving something

Differences What How By whom

Classical conservatism

Edmund Burke Spokesperson, standard-bearer, champion

Liberal view of human nature and government mistaken (theory) and politically pernicious (practice) Creatures of habit, custom, and tradition Political society living and changing

organism greater than sum of its individual parts

“Social contract” less a legal contract than a sacred covenant

Classical conservatism, II Freedom

Not necessarily a good thing; analogous to fire Depends on uses to which it is put Kept under control and put to good use,

freedom is valuable Out of control, destructive power of people

freed from legal and traditional restraints is horrible

No abstract “right” to liberty Rights -- including one’s right to liberty --

always concrete, never abstract or universal Liberties -- particular freedoms people enjoy in

particular societies

Classical conservatism, III Democracy

Ripe with possibility of abuse Too much power to least reflective,

responsible Society best governed by those with greatest

stake in its well-being, most reflective, thoughtful

Elected representative not a delegate, but a trustee Not a mirror nor messenger Represent interests as s/he sees fit

Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790) Envy and rage, abstract liberal theories about

“liberty” and “the rights of man,” mobs of masterless men and women embarked on mad rampage

Ordered liberty = to act in accordance with laws and abide by traditions of one’s own society

Laws and traditions enablements -- aids to help people play a useful part in larger, well-ordered whole

Society = web of relationships and reciprocal dependencies

Members of community or nation woven together like threads in larger social fabric

Society of self-seeking individuals, each independent of others and “free” to pursue his/her self-interest is deranged, disordered, or sick

Triadic notion of freedom Society = people involved in

relationships of mutuality and interdependence

Each person has his or her particular station or status and a stake in larger society

Goal of free men and women is to maintain integrity of social fabric

Politics of imperfection

Purpose of political activity = preserve and conserve social fabric within which human activities are carried on from day to day, from one generation to next

Politics = attending to arrangements of one’s society

Not to radically remake one’s society, to make imperfect persons and institutions perfect

“Politics of imperfection” Repudiation of “rationalist” politics of

perfection

“Muddling through”

Radicals and rationalists believe human nature is malleable and perfectible

Society is not perfect, can never be made so Politics = not an exact science but an inexact

and imperfect art -- the art of “muddling through” one step at a time and without aid of abstract theories or rationalist blueprints

One of the few simple truths is that there are no simple truths -- no easy solutions to social problems -- because social problems are always complex

Modern conservatism

Speaks language of liberalism and individualism Burke found objectionable

Seeks to conserve not Burke’s “social fabric” but principles of individualism, competition, and self-interest

Freedom tied to free enterprise, competitive, capitalist economic system; especially strong in U.S.

Problems are simple – stemming from too much government “interference” in operations of free market

Solutions are simple – reduce size of government; reduce government spending, particularly social welfare programs; and give free market free reign

Same as earlier, economically minded liberals (e.g., Manchester liberals)

Neoconservatives

Disenchanted welfare-state liberals Concerned with disruption and dislocations

of freewheeling market economy Welfare state has fared badly “Cultural contradictions” undermines

capitalism’s already-thin moral and intellectual foundations

Interest in artistic, literary, educational, and other cultural issues

Religious Right

Religion cornerstone of viable conservative society Classical conservatism profoundly skeptical;

Religious Right not Antipathy to communism Threat to traditions and way of life are economic,

political, cultural and moral Morality = Christian fundamentalism Claims to be democratic; society ruled by righteous

or “moral” majority of “born-again” Christians Government intervention in areas and activities

previously deemed private (e.g., abortions, prayer)

Conservatism as ideology Explanation (why social conditions are as

they are) human imperfection Evaluation (how we should judge the way

things are) by social peace and stability Orientation (our position, place, identity)

part of greater whole; must act with good of whole in mind; play our part in society

Program (what to do) proceed slowly and carefully; better to do a little good than a lot of harm

Conservatism and democracy Modest view of what is possible Given weakness of human reason and strong

tendency toward selfishness, pure democracy will degenerate into anarchy dictatorship or despotism

Democracy acceptable only when people have limited power and make limited demands

People must exercise self-restraint and elect members of natural aristocracy/conservatives to represent them and secure fragile social fabric

Key terms

Classical conservativespolitics of imperfectionoriginal sinEdmund Burkeorganic view of societyconservative (Burkean)

notion of freedomconservative reformprejudice (prejudgement)representative government

vs. direct democracytrue natural aristocracylittle platoons (civil society)

Reactionariescultural conservatismTory democracyindividualistic/modern

conservatismmass societyLevelingconservatives and

communismNeoconservatismreligious right

conservatives

Discussion questions

1. What is the classical conservative conception of human nature, freedom, and democracy?

2. How does classical conservatism function as an ideology?3. Conservatism is sometimes called the “philosophy” or “politics

of imperfection.” Is this an accurate description of conservatism? Be sure to refer to specific conservative thinkers and themes to support your position.

4. In the U.S., conservatives are usually taken to be people who want less government. Is this an adequate understanding of conservatism in general? Why or why not?

5. Some people say that conservatives are so divided amongst themselves that it makes no sense to think of conservatism as a single ideology. Are they right? Why or why not?

6. What are the major forms of conservatism in the United States today? Which of them do you find most and which least satisfactory? Refer to specific policies and positions as you explain your choices.