Traditional Conservatism

One Nation Conservatism

The New Right

• Neo Liberalism

• Neo conservatism

Tensions within conservatism

Human Nature

Traditional conservative thinkers such as Burke and Oakeshott take a sceptical view of human nature. They emphasise the gap between what people aspire to achieve and what they are actually capable of, warning against the ambitious, idealistic schemes favoured by progressive politicians. For them, the failures of the French and Russian Revolutions illustrate the dangers of overestimating human potential.

By contrast, New Right thinkers adopt a more optimistic stance, stressing the capacity of individuals to flourish when granted freedom and initiative. Figures like Nozick and Rand are especially positive about human economic potential, arguing for a pro‑capitalist environment that enables individuals to maximise their abilities.

Burke and Oakeshott have been central in shaping the traditional conservative belief that humans possess moral, intellectual, and psychological imperfections. Hobbes, meanwhile, viewed people as fundamentally self‑interested but rational enough to recognise the necessity of a strong sovereign to maintain order. These views on human limitation underpin the traditional conservative understanding of humans as social creatures embedded within an organic society. Burke’s emphasis on intellectual fallibility has also informed a conservative preference for empiricism and pragmatism over abstract theorising.

Early one‑nation conservatives broadly shared these traditional assumptions, favouring practicality and organic social structures. However, modern one‑nation conservatives have become more open to rationalist ideas. Conservative leaders from Macmillan to Johnson have adopted policies shaped by rationalist economic theories, including Keynesianism.

Neo‑conservatives draw heavily on Hobbesian ideas of moral imperfection, advocating strong law enforcement and a powerful state to uphold social order. Despite their rationalist tendencies and willingness to expand state authority, neo‑conservative governments in both the UK and the USA have introduced welfare and education reforms grounded in rational planning.

Neo‑liberals hold the most optimistic view of human nature within conservatism. They see individuals as autonomous, rational actors driven by self‑interest and capable of achieving personal fulfilment within a self‑reliant society. Their approach prioritises scientific reasoning and logic, contrasting with the empirical and tradition‑based methods favoured by traditional conservatives.

Society

Traditional conservatives view society as a network of small, organic communities—what Burke famously called “little platoons.” These communities develop naturally over time and are held together by tradition, continuity, and a hierarchical structure in which paternalistic elites exercise inherited authority for the benefit of the wider population.

In contrast, New Right conservatives are sceptical about the very notion of society as a collective entity. Drawing on libertarian ideas, they see society as nothing more than a collection of atomised individuals pursuing self‑determination. They reject paternalistic, inherited authority and instead favour a meritocratic social order in which power, status, and property are earned rather than bestowed.

Traditional conservatives also believe in a natural hierarchy and argue that the state should be governed by a natural ruling class. For Hobbes, this meant a strong monarch; for Burke, an aristocratic elite. They see the state’s central purpose as preserving the organic fabric of society. Burke’s recognition that society evolves over time encouraged traditional conservatives to accept gradual, pragmatic change when necessary to maintain stability. Despite this, they generally favour limited state involvement in society and the economy, support hawkish foreign policy, and promote insular nationalism and state autonomy in international affairs.

One‑nation conservatives, influenced by Burkean ideas of noblesse oblige, also believe the state must preserve social cohesion. Early one‑nation reforms were modest and empirically driven, involving limited intervention. However, later one‑nation conservatives have embraced more rationalist and interventionist approaches, significantly expanding the role of the state compared with traditional conservatism. They support substantial state action during crises to protect society and the economy, exemplified by the Conservative government’s furlough scheme during the Covid‑19 pandemic.

Neo‑conservatives, drawing on Hobbes and Burke, likewise argue that the state’s primary function is to maintain social order. They support a more limited welfare state than one‑nation conservatives but accept that some welfare provision is necessary to uphold societal stability. They contend that many anti‑poverty programmes have failed because they overlook human imperfection and natural behavioural tendencies. In times of crisis, neo‑conservatives endorse significant state intervention, as shown by Republican support for the CARES Act in 2020.

Neo‑liberals take the most minimal view of the state’s role. They argue that government should interfere as little as possible in individuals’ lives, restricting itself to core functions such as protecting rights, preventing force and theft, and enforcing contracts. They reject state‑sponsored welfare and regard taxation for such purposes as “legalised theft.” Unlike other conservative traditions, neo‑liberals reject the idea of a natural hierarchy and instead champion a meritocratic society in which leadership is earned through individual capability.

The State

■  The State: Traditional conservatives believe in a natural hierarchy, advocating for the state to be governed by a natural ruling class. For Hobbes, this meant a monarch, while for Burke, it meant an aristocratic government. They view the primary role of the state as preserving organic society. Burke influenced traditional conservatives to accept that society is not static, and that to maintain it, the ruling class must be open to enacting changes when necessary. Traditional conservatives prefer minimal state involvement in both society and the economy. They argue that society needs protection from external and internal threats, supporting hawkish foreign policy and military intervention. Additionally, they promote insular nationalism and state autonomy in foreign affairs. One-nation conservatives, influenced by Burke, believe in noblesse oblige and state intervention to preserve society, sharing the belief that the primary purpose of the state is to maintain societal order. The state: traditional conservatives like Burke defend a state where political power is wielded by those who are ‘born to rule’. As such, traditional conservatives believe the best states have a natural ‘ruling class’, reared according to the principles of duty and sacrifice, and instilled with a sense of responsibility towards the governed. Traditional conservatives are pragmatic about the extent of the state and are prepared to enlarge it in the name of social stability and ‘one nation’.

By contrast, New Right conservatives wish to ‘roll back the frontiers of the state’ (outside areas such as security and defence) so as to advance individual freedom and reverse the dependency culture. New Right conservatives are hostile to the principle of aristocratic rule — they fear that ruling classes have too much stake in the status quo and are therefore reluctant to admit the need for radical change by New Right governments.

Early one-nation conservative reforms were empirically influenced and involved limited state intervention. However, later one-nation conservatives have supported more radical, rational state intervention, significantly increasing the state's role compared to traditional conservatism. They advocate substantial state intervention during crises to safeguard society and the economy, as seen in the Conservative government's implementation of furloughing during the Covid-19 crisis. Neo-conservatives, influenced by Hobbes and Burke, also see the state's primary function as preserving society. They support a less generous welfare state than one-nation conservatives but acknowledge the need for welfare provisions to uphold societal order. In contrast to one-nation conservatism and modern liberalism, they argue that anti-poverty programs have failed due to disregarding human imperfection and the natural tendencies of humans. During crises, neo-conservatives advocate significant state intervention to protect society and the economy, as evidenced by neo-conservative Republican backing of the CARES Act 2020 during the Covid-19 crisis. Neo-liberals advocate for a limited government, minimizing state interference in individual lives. They oppose state involvement in society and the economy, believing the state should focus on protecting human rights through minimal intervention, mainly in functions like force, theft prevention, and contract enforcement. Neo-liberals reject state-sponsored welfare and view state taxation for such programs as 'legalized theft.' Unlike other conservative branches, they do not support a natural hierarchy but instead endorse a meritocracy where the most capable individuals lead.

■  The Economy:Traditional conservatives support an economy based on private ownership but are wary of free-market capitalism due to concerns about exacerbating inequality, threatening national unity, and increasing support for socialism. With the globalization of capitalism, they also worry that market forces lead to a more cosmopolitan society that undermines national identity and culture. Consequently, traditional conservatives are open to state intervention through Keynesian economics, higher taxation, and increased public spending on social welfare. In contrast, New Right conservatives, such as Nozick, strongly advocate for free-market economies with privatized and deregulated state functions, lower taxation, and reduced state spending.

Traditional conservatives have mixed feelings about capitalism and the government's role in the economy. Some prefer protectionism to safeguard the interests of the elite and the nation. Edmund Burke influenced this branch of conservatism by supporting the free market and Adam Smith's ideas. Early one-nation conservatives, led by Disraeli, backed the free market but recognized the risks of unregulated capitalism causing societal tensions. They advocated for moderate state involvement in the economy. Since the 1960s, one-nation conservatism has had varying views on state intervention. While some Conservative governments embraced a mixed economy and Keynesian economics, recent governments have leaned towards privatization and free-market principles, with Keynesian influences since 2010. During emergencies like the Covid-19 crisis, one-nation governments are willing to intervene massively in the economy, as seen with the UK's furloughing response. Neo-conservatives support the free market as the best means for wealth creation, employment, and cost reduction. They blend traditional conservative values with pragmatism, as shown by George W. Bush's Keynesian-style intervention during the 2008 economic crisis. Another instance of neo-conservative pragmatism is the CARES Act 2020 by President Trump, a substantial economic stimulus package in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Neo-liberals view the state as a referee ensuring economic rules are followed. They advocate for a hands-off approach, opposing interventionist state management like Keynesian economics.

🧭 Differences and Conflicts Within Conservatism — Summary

🧠 1. Human Nature

• Traditional Conservatives (Burke, Oakeshott)
  
  

  • Humans are imperfect: morally, intellectually, psychologically.

  • Skeptical of rationalism and grand ideological projects.

  • Prefer empiricism, pragmatism, and organic social development.

• Hobbes
  
  

  • Humans are self‑interested and require a strong sovereign to maintain order.

• One-Nation Conservatives
  
  

  • Early: aligned with traditional views of imperfection and pragmatism.

  • Modern: more open to rationalist, interventionist policies (e.g., Keynesianism).

• Neo-Conservatives
  
  

  • Hobbesian: emphasise moral imperfection and need for strong law and order.

  • Support state intervention to maintain stability.

• Neo-Liberals (Rand, Nozick)
  
  

  • Optimistic about individual rationality and autonomy.

  • Believe individuals flourish with maximum freedom and minimal state interference.

🏛️ 2. Society

• Traditional Conservatives
  
  

  • Society is organic, hierarchical, and built around “little platoons”.

  • Value tradition, continuity, and paternalistic elites.

• One-Nation Conservatives
  
  

  • Support noblesse oblige and limited state intervention to preserve social cohesion.

  • Modern versions accept more rationalist, interventionist policies (e.g., Covid furlough).

• Neo-Conservatives
  
  

  • Society must be protected through strong authority and moral order.

  • Support welfare only insofar as it maintains stability.

• Neo-Liberals
  
  

  • Society is a collection of individuals, not an organic whole.

  • Reject paternalism and hierarchy; favour meritocracy.

🏰 3. The State

• Traditional Conservatives
  
  

  • Natural hierarchy; rule by those “born to rule”.

  • State should preserve organic society.

  • Pragmatic about expanding the state when needed.

• One-Nation Conservatives
  
  

  • State intervention justified to maintain unity and prevent social breakdown.

  • Will expand the state significantly during crises.

• Neo-Conservatives
  
  

  • Strong state for law, order, and national security.

  • Support intervention in crises (e.g., CARES Act 2020).

• Neo-Liberals
  
  

  • Minimal state: protect rights, enforce contracts, prevent force/theft.

  • Oppose welfare and high taxation (“legalised theft”).

💷 4. The Economy

• Traditional Conservatives
  
  

  • Support private property but wary of free-market excesses.

  • Open to Keynesianism and welfare to preserve social order.

  • Concerned about capitalism’s destabilising effects and globalisation.

• One-Nation Conservatives
  
  

  • Historically supported free markets with limited intervention.

  • Modern versions accept significant state intervention during crises.

• Neo-Conservatives
  
  

  • Strong supporters of free markets but pragmatic in emergencies (e.g., 2008, 2020).

• Neo-Liberals
  
  

  • Strongest advocates of deregulation, privatisation, and low taxation.

  • State acts only as a referee, not an economic manager.

⚖️ 5. Is Conservatism Compatible with Capitalism?

Yes, because:

• Both value private property.

• Inequality is seen as natural and organic.

• Capitalism aligns with tradition and continuity.

• Wealth enables paternalism.

• New Right actively promotes market expansion.

No, because:

• Capitalism is individualistic, not community‑focused.

• It creates divisions that threaten “one nation”.

• It is volatile and undermines stability.

• Globalisation weakens national identity.

• Meritocracy challenges hereditary elites.

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