POLS1301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Michael Oakeshott, Liberal Democracy, Incrementalism
8 May 2018
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Lecture 3 – CONSERVATISM
Conservatives want to conserve (as far as possible) all the institutions, traditions and
customs that are currently in place.
NB. In POLS1301 we are always going to use the label conservative in this way. When we
refer to contemporary strands of conservatism that combine with neoliberalism, we will
use the te the Ne ‘ight.
Conservatism as a Political Ideology
a. Social Vision – Security, stability and social harmony are key values (Note
– individual liberty and/or equality are not primary); importance of
custom and tradition; resistance to change (but a willingness to adapt to
necessary change); government is limited and prudent (ensuring stability
but not attempting to change human beings) ; the value of private
property; but ambivalent attitude to capitalism (see it as both destructive
and valuable); willing to support government intervention in the
economy; the value of established non-government authorities
(churches, universities etc); defence of traditional morality; defence of
atio.
b. Theory of Human Nature – humans imperfect (this not able to be
remedied). Humans controlled by lower needs and appetites. Thus need
constraint and guidance from established institutions and authorities.
c. Theory of History and Society – no clear theory of history, history
develops organically and without clear progress (the future is not
necessarily better than the past). Organic theory of society where all
parts work together; social whole is fragile and interconnected.
d. Theory of Knowledge – skeptical of rationalism and abstract ideas.
Tradition and practical experience are valued.
e. Political Program – defence of all long-standing political institutions
(including, in the west, all the existing institutions of liberal democracy. In
Australia this also includes a defence of the constitutional monarchy);
resistance to change (including to rational changes advocated by
contemporary neo-liberals – eg conservatives have contested the
privatization of public utilities); charity/welfare support for poor etc;
stog ephasis o la ad ode; puli poli that suppots fail
alues; oppositio to politial oetess.
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Document Summary
Conservatives want to conserve (as far as possible) all the institutions, traditions and customs that are currently in place. In pols1301 we are always going to use the label conservative in this way. When we refer to contemporary strands of conservatism that combine with neoliberalism, we will use the te(cid:396)(cid:373) (cid:858)the ne(cid:449) ight(cid:859). Conservatism as a political ideology: social vision security, stability and social harmony are key values (note. Thus need constraint and guidance from established institutions and authorities: theory of history and society no clear theory of history, history develops organically and without clear progress (the future is not necessarily better than the past). Organic theory of society where all parts work together; social whole is fragile and interconnected: theory of knowledge skeptical of rationalism and abstract ideas. Tradition and practical experience are valued: political program defence of all long-standing political institutions (including, in the west, all the existing institutions of liberal democracy.
