A* Conservatism Essay - To what extent are conservatives united in their view of society

Simran Gill

To what extent are conservatives united in their view of society?

Conservatism arose in reaction to the growing pace of political, social, and economic change,

symbolised by the French Revolution. It stood in defence of a traditional social order, whilst other

ideologies such as liberalism and socialism preached reform and supported revolution. Conservative

thought varies, but in the UK, Conservatism draws heavily on the Edmund Burke’s ideas of ‘change in

order to conserve’. There shouldn’t be a blind resistance to change, but change shouldn’t be

dogmatic either. There are different types of conservatism including; Traditional/Paternalistic

Conservatism, One Nation Conservatism, and the New Right (a combination of two different

ideologies; neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism). Conservatives, especially Traditional Conservatives

and One Nation Conservatives are mostly united in their view of society. However, there are

numerous disagreements between the New Right, and Traditional and One Nation Conservatives. I’d

argue that most Conservatives, excluding the New Right, are united in their view of society. I shall

analyse this statement in my essay.

Traditional and One Nation Conservatives disagree with the New Right, in two aspects; the

importance of past in society, and whether hierarchy is natural. Firstly, Traditional and One Nation

Conservatives believe that society has emerged gradually, and that traditions must be respected.

Tradition represents the accumulated wisdom of the past. The institutions and practices of the past

have been ‘tested by time’ and should therefore be preserved for the benefit of the living and for

generations to come. Additionally, Traditional and One Nation Conservatives believe that the world

is simply too complicated for human reason to grasp fully. Michael Oakeshott referred to the world

as ‘boundless and bottomless’.

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