Introduction Conservatives, in general, seek to preserve the

traditional way of life in their societies

There are considerable disagreements among conservatives Which parts of traditions are worth preserving? Traditions and customs vary from one society to another

The “political philosophy of imperfection” Humans are naturally flawed and imperfect—goes back to

original sin Radical attempts to change human nature or transform

society are foolish and dangerous Role of government is to restrain the passions that lead to

conflict

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Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)

Edmund Burke, the founder of conservatism, developed his views in reaction to the French Revolution (1788-1789)

Argued that French revolutionaries had overly optimistic view of human nature and a dangerous propensity for unrestrained liberty

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The Conservatism of Burke

The “social fabric” – members of society are individual threads interwoven into a complex tapestry Challenges the “atomistic conception” of society “Organic conception” = individuals in society are like

interdependent units of a living organism Society is an intergenerational partnership that is

rooted in customs and traditions

Freedom as ordered liberty Government should prevent people from acting on

whims and impulses Government restraints are necessary to ensure the

social peace3

The Classical Conservative View of Freedom

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Agent:interconnect

ed individuals

Obstacle:radical ideas, innovation, passions,

desires, lack of restraint

Goal:order,

stability, harmony, continuity

Reform and RevolutionBurke drew a distinction between reform and innovation Change should take place gradually through

reform rather than radically by starting anew with abstract proposals

Reform is safer and surer than innovation Reform is based on “prejudice” rather than

abstract reasoningPrejudice = the traditions, habits, and dispositions

that store the “latent” wisdom of society Traditions represent the accumulated wisdom of the

society French Revolution uprooted the traditional order

of society and replaced it with new and untried institutions

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Burke on Government Representative government:

Preferable to democracy because it allows wise representatives to rule with good judgment rather than unchecked passion

Natural aristocracy: A rare few have the ability and experience to govern wisely Most likely to come from hereditary aristocracy because of

their education and knowledge

Private Property: Stabilizing force in society that strengthens attachment to

government

Little platoons: Secondary associations that make up society and ensure that

power is dispersed among society

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Conservatism in the19th Century

Following Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo (1815), opponents of the French Revolution and its legacies became known as reactionaries. Count Joseph de Maistre (1753–1821) argued that

without institutions such as the monarchy and the Church no society could long survive

Clemens von Metternich (1773–1859) guided the attempt to restore the old aristocratic order, settling on hereditary monarchy as the only legitimate form of rule

Pope Pius IX issued his Syllabus of Errors (1864), in which he sharply criticized liberalism for undermining religion and the traditional order

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English ConservatismAfter Burke

Reaction was not the only form that conservatism took, as cultural conservatism and Tory democracy became important political forces in Great Britain English conservatism defended the traditional

agricultural society against the ravages of industry and commerce, arguing that commerce and capitalism were greater enemies of spirituality and culture than the French revolutionaries

The Tory Party formed an alliance between the aristocratic upper class and the working class. Leaders like Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881)

attempted to address the needs of the working class while instilling in the workers a respect for the traditional order of English life

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Conservatismin the United States

Lacking experience of feudalism, aristocracy, monarchy, and no established national church, American conservatives were chiefly concerned with preserving an essentially liberal society and way of life Cultural conservatism became more prevalent, as

writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864) and Herman Melville (1819–1891) criticized what they saw as the foolishly optimistic temper of their times

Positioned against welfare liberalism, with its call for government action to promote individual liberty and equality of opportunity 9

Conservatism in the20th Century

In the 20th century, conservatives feared that “mass society” posed the same threat as democracy José Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955) argued that

the masses were completely unrestrained and crushed all opposition

Fascist movements were seen as the logical result of democratic expansion

Many conservatives oppose attempts to achieve greater democracy or equality through “levelling” Leads to economic and social stagnation Serious cultural institutions will also be overrun

by the levelling tendencies of mass society

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Conservatism and Communism: Sources of Disagreement

1. Progress: Conservatives reject the communist faith in

progress by arguing that change is not always for the better

2. Perfectibility: Human experience shows that attempts to perfect

human nature and society are futile

3. Planning: Planning on a grand scale places too much faith in

human reason Planning tends to concentrate power into the

hands of a few at the center of society11

Conservatism TodayConservatives today can be divided onto four

categories:

1. Traditional

2. Individualist

3. Neoconservatism

4. Religious Right

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Traditional ConservatismHeirs of Edmund Burke

View society as a delicate fabric made of interconnected individuals

Purpose of political activity is to preserve the social fabric that carries on vital traditions from one generation to another

Private property is essential to ordered liberty, but unrestrained capitalism can destroy the traditional bond of society Traditional conservatives view capitalism with

some suspicion13

Individualist Conservatism

Very similar to neo-classical liberalism

Societal problems usually require a simple solution: less government interference in the operations of the free market An unrestrained free market will eventually

benefit everyone

Freedom = freedom to compete with one another in the economic arena

Society is not an intricate web of interconnected individuals, but a competitive marketplace

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NeoconservatismLike traditional conservatives, neoconservatives

view capitalism with admiration and suspicion

Believe that military power should be used to advance national interests

Staunchly anti-communist during the Cold WarArdent supporters of the “war on terrorism” and “regime

change”

Culture has enormous political implications Popular music, movies, and attitudes have reinforced

a deviant culture We should focus on cultural influences that

encourage discipline and virtue

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The Religious RightCalled for a return to morality in government

and society Defines morality according to the moral code of

Christian fundamentalism United States was founded a Christian nation and

must return to its roots

Support an expanded role of government in moral matters Want government to ban abortions, allow prayer

in public schools, and outlaw certain sexual activities

Still favor limited government interference in economic matters 16

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Conservatism as an Ideology

1. Explanation: Human imperfection explains societal ills

2. Evaluation: Good social conditions favor peace and stability

3. Orientation: The individual is a part of a greater whole and must act

with the good of society in mind Individualist conservatives argue that society is made

up of competing individuals

4. Program: Proceed carefully with reform so as not to endanger the

benefits of society that we presently enjoy 17

Conclusion: Conservatismand Democracy

Conservatism began as an anti-democratic attitude because democratic forces threatened customs and traditions

In the past century, conservatism has come to support democracy in societies where it is part of the traditional and customary way of life

Conservatives favor a modest form of representative democracy Weakness of human reason and selfishness can

lead to anarchy or despotism People should have limited power and elect

prudent, wise representatives to restrain passions

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Readings:Part IV: Conservatism

Edmund Burke—Society, Reverence, and the “True Natural Aristocracy”

Joseph de Maistre—Conservatism as Reaction

Michael Oakeshott—On Being Conservative

Russell Kirk—Ten Conservative Principles

Robert H. Bork—Modern Liberalism and Cultural Decline

Irving Kristol—The Neoconservative Persuasion

W. James Antle, III—The Conservative Crack Up

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