Conservative Ideology A reaction against radicalism

Traditional Conservatism  Developed as a reaction against the excesses of the French Revolution (the Reign of Terror).  Conservatives blamed the bloodbath on the Enlightenment idea that human beings could consciously create political society.

Founder of Traditional Conservative Ideology Edmund Burke British writer & Member of Parliament in Late 18 th century

Edmund Burke Strongly opposed the efforts of his own government (led by Prime Minister Lord North) to coerce the American colonies. He believed the Americans were simply asserting traditional English values. Strongly opposed French revolution, and the entire idea that human beings could create a new political society.

Burke’s contradictory positions on revolution  American revolutionaries simply reclaiming traditional British values that had been lost with rise of capitalism, so their revolution was “conservative.”  French revolutionaries trying to remake society, rejecting tradition in favor of new ideas about rights (no tradition of rights in France).

Conservative thought  More influential in Europe and Latin America than liberal thought.  The major political conflicts in 20 th century democracies have been between conservatives and socialists, not liberals.

Traditional Conservative: Differences with liberalism 1.The origin of political society. Conservatism argues that political society develops gradually over time out of custom and human experience. There is no social contract.

Differences with liberalism 2. Human nature is not rational. People’s ability to reason is severely limited, nor is the world understandable and malleable. Therefore, efforts to improve a society will likely have terrible unanticipated consequences.

Differences with liberalism 3.The acceptance of authority. Members of political society need to accept their roles in order for the whole society to be healthy and strong. Challenging authority is destabilizing.

Differences with liberalism 4. Inequality is the natural order of things. Human beings are naturally unequal. politically, people should defer to their betters to govern. socially, people need to accept problems like poverty, which society cannot solve.

Differences with liberalism 5.The purpose of government. Government’s goal is to provide for human needs, especially the needs for order, stability and control. Government is not formed to protect rights. In fact, the lack of order destroys people more than tyranny.

Key values  Tradition - including religious values. Tradition is grounded in generations of reflection on ethical questions.  Authority hierarchical. Government should be strong in law & order, to control the unruly elements in society.

Conservatism & change  Not opposed to all change, but it is should be gradual, a slow evolution.  Conservatives are not fascists, people on the extreme right of the political spectrum. Fascists believe human will can remake society. Fascists are radical reactionaries.

Traditional conservatism & the economy  Opposed to free market capitalism because it broke down old social roles.  Acceptance of social welfare for the poor.  No fear of an active large government becoming tyrannous because the elite would be the governors.

Contemporary conservatism  Ideology of the Republican Party in the U.S.  Conservative thought in the U.S. different than Burke’s because it grew out of classical liberalism. Support for capitalism Suspicious of government power

Contemporary conservatism U.S. conservatism has influenced conservative ideology elsewhere. Margaret Thatcher’s government in Britain in the 1980s more like U.S. conservatism (contemporary) than like traditional.

Contemporary conservatives  See justice as equal opportunity, not equal outcome;  Advocate market incentives to achieve socially desirable goals, rather than the government;  Prefer state and local government action over federal, which is potentially tyrannous.

Example of a contemporary conservative Barry Goldwater, Arizona senator & candidate for president in 1964.

Contemporary conservatism Developed after WWII in response to these perceived threats:  Soviet communism  The rise of government welfare in U.S.  Political protests, including civil rights movement  Urban riots in 1967 & 68

How was government welfare dangerous?  Created high expectations about being entitled to government aid  Created a giant bureaucratic state  Created a culture of permissiveness; society blamed & not individual failure

Can the U.S. achieve equality? Yes, but only in this sense:  Equality means equal opportunity  Can be achieved through the free market  Affirmative action programs unfair

Government role  Limited but powerful in its sphere - national security and domestic order.  Should support free market mechanism.

The New Right in the United States Shares some attributes of traditional conservative ideology 1. Importance of tradition, religion, & morality 2. Suspicious of talk about rights

The New Right in the United States  Emphasis on traditional moral values Strongly oppose abortion, homosexuality, and sex education in the schools. Strongly support state-sponsored prayer in public schools. Critical of women’s rights movement, which is blamed for myriad social problems.

The New Right in the United States Religious groups on the right were not politically mobilized until 1976, Reagan’s first run for the White House. With his win in 1980, they have increasingly exercised power within the GOP.

The New Right in the United States Tension in the Republican party between contemporary (economic) conservatives and New Right (social) conservatives. At issue: Role of government in private lives. Globalized economy & free trade.

Traditional Conservative: Differences with liberalism 1.The origin of political society. Conservatism argues that political society develops gradually over time out of custom and human experience. There is no social contract.

The New Right in the United States Tension in the Republican party between contemporary (economic) conservatives and New Right (social) conservatives. At issue: Role of government in private lives. Globalized economy & free trade.

Example of a New Right conservative Patrick Buchanan served under three Republican presidents; Ran for GOP presidential party nomination in 1992 but lost to George Bush, Sr.

The New Right in the United States  Breaks with contemporary conservatism on these issues: Can be critical of free market & global economy Less concerned with individual rights than moral values Not concerned with large, active government, if it promotes moral values

Example of a New Right conservative Patrick Buchanan served under three Republican presidents; Ran for GOP presidential party nomination in 1992 but lost to George Bush, Sr.

The New Right in the United States  Breaks with contemporary conservatism on these issues: Can be critical of free market & global economy Less concerned with individual rights than moral values Not concerned with large, active government, if it promotes moral values

Compare & contrast Contemporary vs. New Right  What role should government play?

Compare & contrast Contemporary vs. New Right  What role should government play? Contemporary:  limited - economic liberty; law & order New Right:  activist to ensure morality

Compare & contrast Contemporary vs. New Right  Should welfare benefits to single women who have children be cut?

Compare & contrast Contemporary vs. New Right Should welfare benefits to single women who have children be cut? Contemporary:  Yes; tax relief important New Right:  No; it might encourage abortion

Compare & contrast Contemporary vs. New Right Should government policies treat homosexuality like other civil rights?

Compare & contrast Contemporary vs. New Right Should government treat homosexuality like other civil rights? Contemporary:  Yes; government should be small & stay out of private lives. New Right:  No; it violates morality & threatens the family

Compare & contrast Contemporary vs. New Right  Support for NAFTA and free trade?

Compare & contrast Contemporary vs. New Right  Support for NAFTA and free trade? Contemporary conservatism  Yes, policies support capitalism & economic growth New Right  No, policies cause economic disruptions for American workers & their families

Conservatives & drug policy  Former Governor Gary Johnson pushed for reform of drug policy, to decriminalize marijuana and possibly heroin.  He is a Republican; what type of conservative is he?

Conservatives & drug policy  A contemporary (classical liberal) conservative.  He argued that decriminalization would lead to reduced crime and permit some government regulation. He did not mention morality.