History of Conservatism

Conservatism Defined

• Likely Personal Traits of a conservative:
• Tend to want less control of the individual; not in favour of fixed political doctrines
• Opposed to radical change, stick with the status quo
• Normally desire to maintain tradition and the present
• Reflect on the past as a guiding factor for future choices
• Want the individual flourish in pursuit of their own goals and achievements
• Maintain social order and security, even if it may restrict freedom, rights and equality
• Conservatism as a political ideology is altogether reactionary; reacting to what happens in a particular time and place. However, within these reactions there are a number of constants:
• Nationalism
• Opposed to rigid ideologies
• Respect for past (traditions)
• Paternalistic opinion regarding democracy
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Origins of Conservatism

• The origin of the ideology was around the latter half of the 18th century. This during the Enlightenment period where there was a huge shift in how people thought about various things: religion, politics and science. There were different alterations of conservatism early on. In Europe, probably due to the French Revolution, an authoritarian form of conservatism developed that was against any reform at all. While in the US and Britain, conservatism found itself embracing social reform guided by principles of paternalism and social duty.
• With the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, a new social class developed and their increasing power and influence became a threat to the wealthy classes. Conservatives ended up protecting a particular class and therefore, needed to justify the means of how they led the country.
• Disraeli realised the need for justification ahead of tradition; he developed the theory of neo-feudalism (revert the class system back to the old feudal way of running the country).

Origins of Conservatism

• Those who were in the working class acted as the producers and had no means of exercising power. While the middle/capitalist classes made the money, but would not rule due to self-interest. Further, the upper class was left to justify their position in society. One of the most popular theories of justification relates to the father of English conservatism, Edmund Burke. Burke argued why the ruling classes have to play such a large role in politics:
• The upper class do not work, therefore, they have the time to allocate to politics (no self-interest involved)
• They accumulated knowledge through the ruling of their ancestors
• Ruling class was seen as superior and the best option to lead for the common good; this was addressed as 'paternalism' by opponents
• At the end of the 19th century, the Conservative party was particularly concerned with business interests and retained this paternalistic attitude within the ruling class. In 20th century Britain, the middle class was always seen as more conservative because it mainly comprised the owners of private businesses and those who wanted to maintain the status quo. This attitude is normally evident in the economy; conservatives want free market capitalism and low taxation. The 1970s the class system broke down and the New Right Conservatism rose.