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CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL THEORY

Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional
institutions and supports minimal and gradual change in society. Political science often credits the
Irish politician - EDMUND BURKE with many of the ideas now called conservative.

Conservative political theory thrives on traditionalism, i.e. on traditional values. For conservatives,
all that is old is good and thus has to be preserved; all that is present is to be protected; all that is
new is to be avoided; all that is innovative is to be opposed.

Conservatism is –
I. Authoritarian in so far, as it advocates ‘reform from above’ and rejects ‘ revolution fro
below’
II. Libertarian in so far, as it seeks the greatest possible economic liberty and the least possible
governmental regulation.
III. Paternalistic in so far, as it argues that the wealthy have an obligation to look after the less
well-off, the duty being the price of privilege.

The central themes of the conservative ideology are tradition, human imperfection, organic society,
authority and property. Conservatives view authority as the basis for social cohesion, arguing that
it gives people a sense of who they are and what is expected of them and reflects the hierarchical
nature of all social institutions.

SIGNIFICANCE

Conservative ideas and doctrines first emerged in the later 18th and early 19th century. They arose
as a reaction against the growing pace of economic and social change, which was in many ways
symbolised by the French revolution. Using BURKE’S notion of ‘change in order to conserve',
conservatism is allowed to adapt values such a tradition, hierarchy and authority to the emerging
conditions of mass politics, thereby broadening its social and electoral base.

CRITICAL APPRAISAL

However, conservative thought has always been open to the change that it amounts to nothing
more than ruling–class ideology. In proclaiming the need to resist change, it legitimises the status-
quo and defends the interest of dominant or elite groups. Other critics allege that division between
traditional conservatism and libertarian conservatism run so deep that the conservative tradition
has become entirely incoherent.
In their defence, conservatives argue that human beings are morally and intellectually imperfect,
and seek the security that only tradition, authority and shared culture can offer. Experience and
history, conservatives tell, will always provide a sounder basis for political action than will abstract
principles such as freedom, equality and justice.