CONSERVATISM – Complete Political Theory Notes
Tradition • Authority • Order • Gradual Change
1️⃣ WHAT IS CONSERVATISM?
Conservatism is a political ideology that emphasizes tradition, social order, hierarchy, authority, and gradual change rather than radical reform.
Core belief: Society is an organic whole, not a machine that can be redesigned at will.
2️⃣ HISTORICAL ORIGIN
Conservatism emerged as a reaction to the French Revolution (1789).
Major thinker: Edmund Burke
Burke argued that revolutionary attempts to redesign society destroy inherited wisdom.
3️⃣ CORE PRINCIPLES
🔹 Tradition
Traditions carry accumulated social wisdom.
🔹 Authority
Authority maintains stability and order.
🔹 Hierarchy
Social inequality is natural and inevitable.
🔹 Organic Society
Society evolves naturally like a living organism.
🔹 Gradual Change
Change must be slow, evolutionary, not revolutionary.
4️⃣ CONSERVATISM vs LIBERALISM
- Liberalism → Individual autonomy
- Conservatism → Community and order
- Liberalism → Rational reform
- Conservatism → Historical continuity
- Liberalism → Equality emphasis
- Conservatism → Natural hierarchy
5️⃣ MODERN CONSERVATISM
- Economic conservatism → Free markets
- Social conservatism → Traditional values
- Neo-conservatism → Strong state & nationalism
6️⃣ CRITICISMS
- Defends unjust traditions
- Justifies inequality
- Resists progressive reforms
- Can become authoritarian
📝 UPSC MAINS QUESTIONS
- Conservatism is an ideology of prudence, not reaction. Discuss.
- Critically examine Burke’s critique of the French Revolution.
- Is conservatism anti-democratic?
- Compare liberal and conservative views of change.
📌 QUICK REVISION MAP
- Core → Stability & Order
- Enemy → Radical revolution
- Method → Gradual reform
- Thinker → Edmund Burke
Conservatism fears reckless change more than imperfect order.
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