...TO WHAT EXTENT IS THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY STILL COMMITTED TO ITS TRADITIONAL PRINCIPLES? Since 1979 the conservative party has undergone significant changes from the traditional conservative party which focused on ideas about human nature, order and pragmatism, first with new right conservatism under Thatcher then with the current conservative party. The current conservative party however, can be seen to still be committed to its traditional conservative principles such as Euro-scepticism and that they remain largely traditionalist. However there are many ways in which the conservative party has changed such as taxation, education and the welfare state. One way the conservative party has changed is through taxation. Traditionally, the conservative party was known as believing in low tax however the current conservative party, seems to have changed certain parts of their policies about this perhaps shifting to a more central position on taxation proposing a new tax scheme where people earning under ten thousand pounds a year pay no tax and there would be bigger and more severe crack downs on top earners in offshore bank accounts. This signifies a deviation from traditional conservative principles, perhaps due to the modernisation of the party since Cameron became leader. One way the party has stayed committed to its conservative principles is through continued euro-scepticism. Traditionally the party has been very euro-sceptic initially not wanting to join the EU and later...
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...To what extent have the parties involved in the conservative-liberal democrat coalition remained faithful since 2010 to their traditional principles and ideas. ( 25) (2012) In 2010, Britain has its first hung parliament since Feb 1974. The Conservatives won the most seats (306) but this was well short of the 326 needed for an overall majority and the Liberal Democrats ended up with 57 seats, enough to provide the majority that parliament requires. Cameron immediately announced Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister and invited several Lib-dems in his government. They published a coalition agreement which set out the new government’s agenda for the next five years. Moreover, because it was an amalgamation of the Liberal democrat and Conservative manifestos, it required a number of comprimises on both sides. This means that original policies presented in the parties original manifestos, had to be changed or abandoned suggesting they hve ventured away from their traditional principles. However, some would argue due to the similarities of the parties ideology’s, the most important policies have been implemented with a consensus and peacefully. Firstly, The Conservative party have committed to reducing taxation levels, Corporation Tax has been cut and Personal Taxation thresholds increased. The Conservative party have helped working people by increasing the amount they can earn before paying any income tax - 24 million taxpayers have seen their income tax cut and 2 million of the...
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...To what extent have the parties involved in the conservative-liberal democrat coalition remained faithful since 2010 to their traditional principles and ideas. ( 25) (2012) In 2010, Britain has its first hung parliament since Feb 1974. The Conservatives won the most seats (306) but this was well short of the 326 needed for an overall majority and the Liberal Democrats ended up with 57 seats, enough to provide the majority that parliament requires. Cameron immediately announced Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister and invited several Lib-dems in his government. They published a coalition agreement which set out the new government’s agenda for the next five years. Moreover, because it was an amalgamation of the Liberal democrat and Conservative manifestos, it required a number of comprimises on both sides. This means that original policies presented in the parties original manifestos, had to be changed or abandoned suggesting they hve ventured away from their traditional principles. However, some would argue due to the similarities of the parties ideology’s, the most important policies have been implemented with a consensus and peacefully. Firstly, The Conservative party have committed to reducing taxation levels, Corporation Tax has been cut and Personal Taxation thresholds increased. The Conservative party have helped working people by increasing the amount they can earn before paying any income tax - 24 million taxpayers have seen their income tax cut and 2 million of the...
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...From 1997 to 2005 conservative party lost three general elections in a row. David Cameron has introduced much reform into the Conservative Party since his ascension into power of the Conservative Party, in December 2005. He has, in many ways, modernised the Party, and has introduced measures that are so wide reaching, that his brand of Conservatism has a name, Social Conservatism. Conservative traditionally believes on less intervention by the government. It means that if any industry and company found itself in financial difficulties then government will not help them. For example if royal mail found itself in financial difficulties then government won’t help them. But Cameron has changed this policy. He said that it is the role of government to help industries if they find. He believes that state has a key role in increasing opportunities and reducing poverty because if any industry finds itself in difficulties then it also affects unemployment. He believes that state has a key role in increasing opportunities and reducing poverty. Conservative traditionally believes on low taxes. They believe that taxes on income and company profits should be kept to minimum. So it is a natural conservative instinct to want to cut taxes. But the David Cameron and his...
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...what extent are the Conservatives committed to their traditional principles [25 marks] Since 1979 the conservative party has undergone significant changes from the traditional party which first focused on ideas about human nature, order and pragmatism with new right conservatism under Thatcher. The current conservative party however, can be seen to be retaining traditional conservative principles and that they remain largely traditionalist. However there are many ways in which the conservative party has changed such as taxation, education and the welfare state. One way in which the conservative party has changed is through taxation. Traditionally the conservative party was known for believing in lower taxation rates. However the current conservative party has changed some of their policies and perhaps become more centralist on taxation. An example of this is proposing a new taxation scheme where people who earn under ten thousand pounds a year are exempt from paying tax; also a bigger ‘crack down’ on people who earn a larger salary. Therefore this means that they would pay more tax. This signifies deviation from traditional conservative principles; this can probably be labelled as part of the modernization of the party since Cameron has become leader. Another way the party has deviated from traditional conservative principles is through education. In contrast with the traditional condescending view on education by the conservatives, under Cameron there...
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...Are parties becoming less ideological? Recently, political parties in many countries are becoming less ideologically attached and are beginning to move towards the centre ground. This is illustrated clearly with Fukuyama’s book, titled ‘the end of history and the last man’ which depicts how with the introduction of the 3rd way on the left, and many right wing policies now too extreme, the collapse of conventional ideology. He suggests there is now a final form of government since the end of the cold war. This is some what clear in the UK with the birth of New Labour in 1997, and the less extreme Conservatives, many argue they are simply both competing on economic grounds. The famous quote being ‘its economy stupid’, almost suggesting the economy is a new form of ideology. The same can be said for the US, but on less of a severe basis. Although Clinton is said to be most similar to Blaire, centering himself from extreme left wing policies, the rise of the TEA party in America, and to some extent Obama’s health care reforms can be said to be a revival of traditional ideology. Although to a less of an extent, Cameron’s Big Society can also said to be a revival of traditional Conservative policies. In terms of the economy parties are moving more centre-right and on social issues more centre-left. Although perhaps appearing very ideological in the US in particular American Politics is still very ‘catch all’. In terms of the economy it can be said parties and not becoming more ideological...
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...How influential are conservatives in Democratic part? A way that the conservatives are still influential in the Democratic Party is through foreign affairs. Through foreign policy they take a conservative approach in which they intervene in other countries. For example Obama initiated a military surge in Afghanistan, showing that conservative ideologies are still influential in the Democratic Party. However this may be because through foreign policy the president can express more of his powers and position in the party. So actions in foreign policy may not show an influence of conservatism but rather a way in which the president can take more leadership in. Another example of how the Democratic Party holds some conservative values is that some pro-life democrats influence Obama not to allow Federal money to be used to support abortion. Demonstrating that the Democratic Party can be traditional in their views i.e. being pro-life – believing that all life is sacred. Also some democratic supporters hold some traditional conservative views. For example Latinos, who supported Obama in 2008, are not generally pro-choice. Showing that those that support the Democratic Party may not necessarily support some of their policies as they may contradict with their conservative views. Thus conservatism is still influenced in the Democratic Party. However the Democratic Party still hold their liberal values. This is illustrated in the history of Obama’s presidency and Clinton’s presidency...
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...How far has the coalition government forced the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to revise their traditional ideological stances? The UK's government is currently a coalition, this means that there were two or more 'winning' parties at the 2010 general election. The Conservatives are head of the government and the Liberal Democrats are deputy. By having a coalition government the two parties have to change their ideologies and come up with ideas that fit them both. Evidence shows that the coalition government hasn't forced the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to revise their traditional ideological stances, this means that they haven't changed their traditional values so they can run government together. An ideology is an 'ism', a more or less coherent set of ideas, values and theories that help to explain the world and guide political action. The conservatism is the set of ideologies that the Conservatives believe in. Conservatism is an ideology that is defined by a 'desire to conserve'. It has traditionally been suspicious of abstract principles or developed theories, preferring instead to place its faith in tradition, experience and history. The defining values of Conservatism are; tradition, this means that they respect ideas, practices and institutions that have been passed down from one generation to the next. They also believe in human imperfection, the belief that people are security-seeking creatures and also morally flawed. Finally they believe in hierarchy...
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...Margaret Thatcher revolutionised the Conservative party, bringing life back into what many felt was a tired Tory party. She was dogmatic rather than pragmatic, she believed in the value of the individual and she was a strong advocate of the free market economy. She irrevocably changed the Conservative party and politics. Leaders since her may have felt they were living in her shadow – none of them would dare publically question her, and many of her ideals have stuck. Even Labour accepted some of her policies, such as anti-trade union laws and privatisation. However, she also bred bitterness, so Cameronist politics cautiously echo Thatcherism, whilst trying to appeal to a wider audience. Cameron respected Thatcher rather than worshipped her – he set about what the media called “detoxifying” the Tories, but he still shared many core values with Thatcher. Cameron faces a different backdrop to Thatcher and his challenge has been to adapt rather than revolutionise – he admired Thatcher but is pragmatic enough to change rather than blindly follow her unshaking beliefs. Cameron’s Conservatism is different to Thatcherism – and although much of it can be put down to the coalition diluting the more hard-line Tory policies, there are many decisions Thatcher would never have taken – again highlighting the difference between Thatcher’s dogmatism and Cameron’s pragmatism. Cameron had also planned to match Labour’s public spending increases from 2010-11 - whilst abandoned the idea shows he...
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...CONSERVATISM Key concepts 1) Hierarchy and organic society * The term ‘organic society’ refers to a belief, which became entrenched in traditional conservative thought in the latter part of the 19th century. * It was a reaction against the rise of liberal individualism. * It proposes that society is more than merely a collection of individuals, but it is a single entity. * We are connected to each other through our humanity and common membership of community. * Organic society is seen as a reality, which is superior to our own, individual interests. * The ideal organic society – where goals and aspirations of individuals coincide with the goals of the whole society. 1980s – Margaret Thatcher famously challenged this remarking that there “is no such thing as society”, implying that the goals of individuals are superior to those of society as a whole. * Traditional conservatives believe that there is a ‘natural’ order into which each individual fits. * It is normal and natural that society should be divided by a number of strata. * The very rigid feudal system had long since disappeared, but there remained a belief that some kind of class system was inevitable. * Hierarchy like this supports organic society in that it creates an order and stability, which the individualistic society lacks. * Different parts of the hierarchy have different roles that complement each other. * This implies inequality, but an ordered inequality, and one in which...
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...behavior. Social classes have always had a ‘usual’ party to vote for. For example, working class usually vote Labour whereas middle class usually vote Conservative. However, social classes seem to vote differently than expected due to different party policies and which will effect personally or affairs they are more concerned about in today’s society. Usually, people may feel they should vote for a certain party due to their social class. Class dealignment then come to light in the 70s after there was a massive decline in people voting according to their social class. The decline has continued. However, people may start to feel they belong to a different class as job opportunities are changing, and there are less people in tertiary jobs, with more people getting and education and professional jobs. People who would have been ‘working class’ may begin to view themselves as lower middle class. This is class dealignment. In the 2010 General Election the Conservatives gained from all groups with the exception of the lowest class DE which stayed Labour. ABC1 (grouped together) had a 39% vote for the Conservatives while Labour had 27%. In the C2 class 37% voted Conservative compared to 29% for Labour, and in the DE group 31% voted Conservative and 40% Labour. In the 40’s it was clear that social class was the main determinant of the way people voted. They would vote according to their natural class. A and B voting Conservative, C1 Cons or Labour and C2 and D/E voting Labour. In...
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...This being said, this policy change would also cause some loss in the current Republican Party. Specifically, the loss would be seen most prevalently in the business conservatives, who hold strong anti-aid sentiments. For instance, a steep 89 percent believe that the government today can’t afford to do much more to help the needy, which is much greater than the 51 percent of the general public who support that statement. In general, however, this change would still do more to aid the party than hurt it. This is due to a multitude of reasons. Firstly, like most issues, this one is also evolving as time progresses. Of the young people, most of whom belong to the left-leaning groups, a significant proportion (50 or more percent) believe that government...
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...extent do conservatives believe in tradition and continuity? * Tradition refers to ideas, practices or institutions that have endured over time and been inherited from earlier periods. Its very nature creates continuity between the past, present and future. The very name ‘conservatism’ suggests that followers of the ideology believe in the maintenance of tradition and the preservation of continuity. * There are certainly numerous examples in which it is evident that conservatives believe in tradition and continuity; its very development was based on preserving the pre-Puritan traditions. * Despite it being a fundamental part of the ideology, however, history dictates that conservatives have on numerous occasions abandoned such belief in favour of realistic pragmatism, * Such as Disraeli’s identification of the Two Nations and the Conservative government of 1950, following the establishment of the National Health Service in 1946, chose to maintain this popular institution regardless of conservatives originally favouring the traditional method of private healthcare. * It can even be argued that such pragmatism has created a modern Conservative party that bares little, if no resemblance of, conservative ideology; whereas tradition conservatives stressed on tradition, the New Right and modern conservatism has rejected this notion. * The belief in tradition and continuity was given great importance by traditional conservatives. The original conservative thinkers...
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...have Conservatives preferred pragmatism and empiricism to political principles? To fully understand and explore the question the meaning of empiricism and pragmatism must be identified. In relation to politics empiricism is the theory that all knowledge is based on experience. Stimulated by the rise of experimental science, it developed in the 17th and 18th centuries, expounded in particular by John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume. Political pragmatism links to the belief that politics should be guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory or ideology. It is clear both words have a very similar meaning and illustrate that the conservatives don’t operate on a strict ideological doctrine. Pre 21st century, the UK electorate was largely defined and separated by three main ideologies: Conservatism, Socialism and Liberalism. This gave the Conservative Party the ability to promote principles over pragmatism. However, as social developments occurred and ideological affiliations declined, political parties are no longer able to promote these narrow principles, as they are forced to adopt a wider spectrum of principles that apply to the mainstream electorate. The presence of 'right wing' and 'left wing' electorate has demised rapidly since pre 21st century politics. It is clear that the main parties adopt a more central position, the Conservatives being known as Centre Right. This demise in ideology in general has been mirrored by the Conservative party...
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...foremost expressed a distrust of government. Proponents of conservatism were able to effectively direct this mood and coalesce for electoral ends through a process of ideologically based group formation and mobilisation. These relatively stable and interlinked groups heightened the salience of themes identified as conservative in political discourse. The political climate was pointed in the direction of a conservative...
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