The document explores conservatism, defining it as a disposition towards preserving traditional values in response to change, rather than a strict ideology marked by internal conflicts. It contrasts classical conservatism with individualist approaches and outlines contemporary challenges such as the failures of foreign policy, the influence of radicals in education, and the culture of permissiveness. The document emphasizes that conservatives often identify more by what they oppose, particularly aspects of liberal capitalism, rather than by a cohesive set of principles.

1. Conservatism Dr. Christopher S. Rice

2. What IS a conservative?

7. All conservatives want to conserve/preserve something (hence the name) (duh)

8. Two ways of considering conservatism as an ideology

9. Conservatism as resisting change

11. Conservatism as a distinctive political position

12. Classical Conservatives vs. Individualist Conservatives

13. Divisions run deep…

14. How Conservatism differs from other ideologies Rather than being defined in terms of abstract principles of justice, conservatism is commonly defined in relation to changing historical contexts. Conservatism can be considered more of a disposition or temperament, rather than a strict belief system. Conservatism as a belief system (if it is a belief system at all) is marked by many internal tensions. Conservatives, because of their lack of agreement over philosophical principles, tend to unite around specific issues . Conservatives, according to Charles Kessler, often find it easier to say what they are against than what they are for. Specifically, they often tend to oppose aspects of liberal capitalism.

15. How Conservatism differs from other ideologies Rather than being defined in terms of abstract principles of justice, conservatism is commonly defined in relation to changing historical contexts. Conservatism can be considered more of a disposition or temperament, rather than a strict belief system. Conservatism as a belief system (if it is a belief system at all) is marked by many internal tensions. Conservatives, because of their lack of agreement over philosophical principles, tend to unite around specific issues . Conservatives, according to Charles Kessler, often find it easier to say what they are against than what they are for. Specifically, they often tend to oppose aspects of liberal capitalism.

16. “ To be conservative…is to prefer the familiar to the unknown, to prefer the tried to the untried, fact to mystery, the actual to the possible, the limited to the unbounded, the near to the distant, the sufficient to the superabundant, the convenient to the perfect, present laughter to utopian bliss.” Michael Oakeshott, “On Being Conservative

17. It is easier to say who is a conservative rather than what conservatism is .

18. How Conservatism differs from other ideologies Rather than being defined in terms of abstract principles of justice, conservatism is commonly defined in relation to changing historical contexts. Conservatism can be considered more of a disposition or temperament, rather than a strict belief system. Conservatism as a belief system (if it is a belief system at all) is marked by many internal tensions. Conservatives, because of their lack of agreement over philosophical principles, tend to unite around specific issues . Conservatives, according to Charles Kessler, often find it easier to say what they are against than what they are for. Specifically, they often tend to oppose aspects of liberal capitalism.

19. How Conservatism differs from other ideologies Rather than being defined in terms of abstract principles of justice, conservatism is commonly defined in relation to changing historical contexts. Conservatism can be considered more of a disposition or temperament, rather than a strict belief system. Conservatism as a belief system (if it is a belief system at all) is marked by many internal tensions. Conservatives, because of their lack of agreement over philosophical principles, tend to unite around specific issues . Conservatives, according to Charles Kessler, often find it easier to say what they are against than what they are for. Specifically, they often tend to oppose aspects of liberal capitalism.

20. How Conservatism differs from other ideologies Rather than being defined in terms of abstract principles of justice, conservatism is commonly defined in relation to changing historical contexts. Conservatism can be considered more of a disposition or temperament, rather than a strict belief system. Conservatism as a belief system (if it is a belief system at all) is marked by many internal tensions. Conservatives, because of their lack of agreement over philosophical principles, tend to unite around specific issues . Conservatives, according to Charles Kessler, often find it easier to say what they are against than what they are for. Specifically, they often tend to oppose aspects of liberal capitalism.

21. Is conservatism an ideology?

23. The public interest “is what men would choose if they saw clearly, thought rationally, acted disinterestedly and benevolently.” William F. Buckley

24. Are Buckley and other conservatives making Marx’s mistake?

25. Classical (Burkean) Conservatism

27. A reaction to the French Revolution

28. A few basic points… Accepted some increase in democratization, but retained a belief in the importance of strong authorities. Accepted some aspects of capitalism, but feared that the economic liberties of individuals posed moral dangers to the good of society. Wanted to protect the world from the onslaught of rapid social, economic and technological changes.

29. A few basic points… Accepted some increase in democratization, but retained a belief in the importance of strong authorities. Accepted some aspects of capitalism, but feared that the economic liberties of individuals posed moral dangers to the good of society. Wanted to protect the world from the onslaught of rapid social, economic and technological changes.

30. A few basic points… Accepted some increase in democratization, but retained a belief in the importance of strong authorities. Accepted some aspects of capitalism, but feared that the economic liberties of individuals posed moral dangers to the good of society. Wanted to protect the world from the onslaught of rapid social, economic and technological changes.

31. IMPOSSIBLE!

32. slow the modernization of society as much as possible

33. The Problem of Abstract Rights

34. the historical development of rights

35. PROBLEM: Abstract demands for rights can lead to redistribution of land and money .

36. Conservatives Say: Politics based on abstract rights promotes individualism at the expense of historical understanding, mitigating institutions and the bonds that hold society together

37. protection of private property provides social stability

38. Noblesse Oblige

39. Undesirable Results of Capitalism

40. What to do?

41. Human Nature

42. human beings are, and always will be, flawed

43. Original Sin

44. Rationality?

45. Law of Unintended Consequences

46. Weak Rationality

47. Atomistic Individualism Vs. Organic/ Interconnected Individualism

48. Social Fabric

49. Liberty worthwhile ONLY when properly ordered

50. Government not perceived as an obstacle

51. Classical Conservative Model of Freedom (Ball and Dagger, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal ) OBSTACLE: Radical ideas, innovation; passions, desires, lack of restraint AGENT: Inter-connected, “organic” individuals GOAL: Order, stability, harmony, continuity

52. Conservatives & Change

53. Reckless & Rapid Change

54. Ideological Change Change based on preconceived ideological notions which give no concession to the inherent limits of the human condition.

55. The Problem of Innovation

56. An “Anti-Ideology”?

57. Reform change that is slow, thoughtfully considered and based on the past

58. Conservatism and Democracy

59. The Natural Aristocracy

60. Concentration of Power

61. “ Little Platoons”

62. Conservatism as an Ideology

63. Explanation

64. Evaluation

65. Orientation

66. Political Program

67. 21 st Century Conservatism: 4 Strands

68. Traditional Conservatism

69. Individualist Conservatism

71. The New Christian Right

74. Neoconservatism

76. Irving Kristol on Neoconservatism Support for welfare state, opposition to bureaucratic paternalism & intrusion Respect for the free market Support for traditional values and religion (vs. “counterculture”) Opposition to “egalitarianism” Strong anti-communist foreign policy

77. Irving Kristol on Neoconservatism Support for welfare state, opposition to bureaucratic paternalism & intrusion Respect for the free market Support for traditional values and religion (vs. “counterculture”) Opposition to “egalitarianism” Strong anti-communist foreign policy

78. Irving Kristol on Neoconservatism Support for welfare state, opposition to bureaucratic paternalism & intrusion Respect for the free market Support for traditional values and religion (vs. “counterculture”) Opposition to “egalitarianism” Strong anti-communist foreign policy

79. Irving Kristol on Neoconservatism Support for welfare state, opposition to bureaucratic paternalism & intrusion Respect for the free market Support for traditional values and religion (vs. “counterculture”) Opposition to “egalitarianism” Strong anti-communist foreign policy

80. Irving Kristol on Neoconservatism Support for welfare state, opposition to bureaucratic paternalism & intrusion Respect for the free market Support for traditional values and religion (vs. “counterculture”) Opposition to “egalitarianism” Strong anti-communist foreign policy

81. Contemporary Conservatism

82. 4 Main Problems: Failure of Western foreign policy to promote the interests of the “free world.” Promotion of socialist domestic problems by increasingly strong central governments. Prominence/power of radicals, social engineers, socialist utopians in educational institutions. Culture of permissiveness, relativism

83. 4 Main Problems: Failure of Western foreign policy to promote the interests of the “free world.” Promotion of socialist domestic problems by increasingly strong central governments. Prominence/power of radicals, social engineers, socialist utopians in educational institutions. Culture of permissiveness, relativism

84. 4 Main Problems: Failure of Western foreign policy to promote the interests of the “free world.” Promotion of socialist domestic problems by increasingly strong central governments. Prominence/power of radicals, social engineers, socialist utopians in educational institutions. Culture of permissiveness, relativism

85. 4 Main Problems: Failure of Western foreign policy to promote the interests of the “free world.” Promotion of socialist domestic problems by increasingly strong central governments. Prominence/power of radicals, social engineers, socialist utopians in educational institutions. Culture of permissiveness, relativism

88. Strong Anti-Communism

89. Moral Hazards of Great Society

90. Problem of Big Government

91. Deregulation + financial incentives

92. Strengthen the Traditional Family

93. Boy, those universities sure are bad, huh?