Unit 1: Political Theory

Topic Area: Ideologies -similarities and differences…

Key Aspect: Human Nature and Society
Socialism
Socialists have a very positive view of human
nature and that the problems they face are the
result of the society they belong to. This is why
many policies devised by socialists look towards
social solutions (e.g. rehabilitation, education etc.
rather than authoritarian measures.
Conservatism
A conservative will argue that humans are
imperfect and cannot be perfected. Therefore, it is
necessary to have clear rules by which individuals
can be kept in check. This is why conservatives
tend to be pragmatic and support policies like the
death penalty or a strong national defence.

As socialists believe we are essentially good, we Conservatives believe in the idea of an ‘organic
will work towards progress for moral reasons, not society’ – it is like a living organism which, once
financial incentives. broken down, cannot be put back together in the
same way a constructed item can (human body vs
Socialists argue that we are social creatures not bicycle). This therefore means they support quite
individuals in silos. We are shaped by our traditional aspects of society (heterosexual
experience and if we are shaped for the negative, marriage, the prominence of the Church, the
it is society which needs correcting rather than traditional family structure etc.).
human nature itself. How people behave is a
reflection on their upbringing rather than their Straying from tradition should be avoided. Many
‘human nature’. conservatives argue that the decline of the
Church’s influence has altered society irrevocably
Socialists tend to challenge tradition as they argue for the worse.
much of it protects vested interests, is an obstacle
to progress and a roadblock to equality. This organic society is naturally unequal – people
have different, unequal roles which makes society
work properly. A socialist society of equals would
immediately lead to breakdown.

Accepting tradition and rules within an organic

society is, according to conservatives, not a limit on
freedom. Rather, it allows them to be free as they

Economy Socialists have a strong belief in equality within the Conservatives tend to support a free market
economic system. They are sceptical of market approach to economic matters and believe that
forces and believe the state should play a key role economic rewards are gained through aspiration
in ensuring that economic inequality is curbed.
Karl Marx, the German philosopher who wrote
‘Capital’ and co-authored the Communist
Manifesto, was a radical socialist thinker who felt
that the property-owning middle classes exploited
the poor ‘proletariat’ for financial profit, paying
them poverty wages. He promoted the idea that
the workers should own the means of the
production rather than the
entrepreneurs/business class. This would mean
giving the state a very central role in ensuring that
wealth was shared equally and fairly.
Revolutionary socialists such as Vladimir Lenin
argued that this should be done quickly and sought
to overthrow the capitalist system rapidly (He
attempted this in the October Revolution in Russia
in 1917). However, many other socialists take am
much more moderate approach and think the
capitalist system can be ‘smoothed’.
Property Socialists are hostile to the idea of property being
privately owned and instead promote public
ownership. Owning property promotes selfish
interests ahead of the interests of the community.
Most socialists will resist public assets being taken
out of the control of the public as it then becomes
an asset of the individual who will then dictate a
price, which limits those who are perhaps in need
are being reminded of their societal duties to allow
society to function.
and merit.
They believe that the state involving itself in
economic affairs is counterproductive and that
constraints imposed by the state dull the profit
motive and harms creativity. The French term
‘laissez-faire’ (leave alone) is often associated with
conservatism.
They tend to have a strong belief in competition in
economic matters. Thinkers such as Milton
Freidman argued that the market was the only way
to guarantee quality for the consumer, promote
creativity and share wealth.
Former President Ronald Reagan summed up this
approach by saying that embracing the free market
would mean ‘trickle-down’ economics – meaning
that capitalism would ensure that the vast majority
of people at the bottom would still benefit from
the fruits of capitalism.
A conservative believes strongly in the notion of
private property and that people should have the
right to own it, sell it and reap financial profits if
they can manage to do so.
Margaret Thatcher always promoted Britain as a
country which should be a property-owning
democracy. She sold public assets such as British
Telecom to private companies and gave the public
 (many would argue Thatcher’s right to buy policy the chance to purchase their council homes. She
has created a shortage of affordable housing for believed that property ownership was an incentive
those near the bottom). for people to hold a stake in something. It would
make them more ambitious and responsible.
Socialists have a strong belief in common
ownership of property. That our resources should Owning property makes people more responsible
be shared and allocated on the basis of need (the and gives them a better sense of themselves. By
co-operative movement an example of this). owning property, they become conscious of the
value of it and will apply such care to the property
Property blinds us to the true nature of society. It of others as they would their own.
makes us more materialistic and dulls our senses
to the duties and obligations we have to It also gives people a sense of security/identity.
neighbours, friends and fellow citizens. That is why a crime such as burglary is very difficult
to deal with because violating someone’s property
Private property is in direct conflict with equality. is tantamount to violating someone’s person.

Key Thinkers:

Socialist Conservative
Karl Marx: German philosopher who authored Capital and the Communist Edmund Burke: Theorist who argued that the change of the French
Manifesto. Advocated an overthrow of the capitalist system, replacing it with Revolution should not be celebrated. Argued that changing the key
a system of common ownership of the means of production. Argued that the components of society left France in a system of material and moral chaos.
middle-class bourgeoisie exploited working class proletariat. Removing the Not against small incremental changes but defended a strong level of
profit motive would see an end to such inequality of society (crucial he was continuity in society.
writing during the time of the industrial revolution – are his ideas still
relevant?) Benjamin Disraeli: Former British PM who argued for ‘one-nation’
conservatism. The idea that socialist solutions are not effective responses but
Robert Owen: Owner of New Lanark mill but was a pioneer for changing how that the well-off had a moral responsibility to help those. This would strop
industrial workers were treated. He promoted worker’s cooperatives, giving Britain fragmenting into two nations – one of the rich and the poor.
them much autonomy over their labour. Sometimes called the “father of
English socialism” even though he was Welsh. Michael Oakeshott: 20th Century philosopher who argued strongly for
upholding the importance of tradition. Argued against fixed ideologies which
he thought promoted “utopianism”, such as socialism.