.png)
🌿 Conservatism – Quick Notes
Explore the enduring principles of Conservatism, focusing on order, tradition, and a cautious approach to change. Ideal for Political Science and UGC NET aspirants!
🔹 Essence of Conservatism
- Emphasizes order, tradition, authority, continuity, and skepticism toward radical change.
- Motto: “Preserve the past, improve with prudence.”
🔹 Key Beliefs
- Tradition – Society’s customs are time-tested wisdom.
Edmund Burke: “Society is a partnership…”
- Human Imperfection – Humans are irrational, self-interested, flawed; can’t be perfected.
- Organic Society – Society = living organism; every part has a role.
- Authority & Hierarchy – Natural and necessary for order.
- Pragmatism over Ideology – Change must be evolutionary, not revolutionary.
🔹 Types of Conservatism
| Type | Key Features | Notable Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Authoritarian | Power from above; monarchy, church | Joseph de Maistre |
| Traditional | Morality, religion, and continuity | Edmund Burke |
| Paternalistic | Noblesse oblige; social duty by elites | Benjamin Disraeli |
| Liberal/New Right | Free market + moral values | Thatcher, Reagan |
| Neo-Conservatism | Law, order, family, Western values | Irving Kristol, Roger Scruton |
🔹 Important Thinkers & Works
| Thinker | Key Contribution | Major Work |
|---|---|---|
| Burke | Critique of French Rev.; tradition > reason | Reflections on the Revolution |
| Joseph de Maistre | Authority, monarchy, divine order | Considerations on France |
| Oakeshott | Anti-rationalism, value of custom | Rationalism in Politics |
| Hayek | Economic freedom, anti-socialism | The Road to Serfdom |
| Irving Kristol | Neo-conservatism founder | Two Cheers for Capitalism |
🔹 Critique
- Ignores structural inequality
- Resists necessary reforms
- Overvalues status quo
Conservatism provides a powerful counterpoint to rapid change, emphasizing stability and the wisdom of generations.