How does the organic view of society provide a justification for conservative belief in hierarchy?

Just as different parts of an organism perform different functions at different levels, conservatives argue that society naturally requires people to occupy different positions and roles, making hierarchy a natural and necessary feature rather than an artificial imposition.

Why do conservatives who hold an organic view of society see hierarchy as functional rather than oppressive?

Because in an organism, different parts must perform specialised functions at varying levels for the whole to work effectively; similarly, social hierarchy allows different groups to fulfil distinct roles that contribute to the health and stability of society as a whole.

Define paternalism in conservative thought.

Authority exercised downwards for the good of those subject to it, in the way a parent's authority over a child is meant to serve the child.

Edexcel A-Level Politics 9PL0

Democracy and Participation

Topic overview Current systems of representative and direct democracy A wider franchise and debates over suffrage Pressure groups and other influences Think tanks, lobbyists and corporations Rights in context

Political Parties

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Topic overview The 1979, 1997 and 2010 general election results Why elections are won and lost Class, partisanship and social factors Analysing voting behaviour data The influence of the media

Liberalism

Topic overview Individualism, equality and the liberal state Freedom, the rule of law and limited government Rationalism, social justice and liberal democracy Differing views and tensions within liberalism Locke, Wollstonecraft and Mill Rawls, Friedan and modern liberalism

Conservatism

Topic overview Pragmatism, tradition and human imperfection The organic society, hierarchy and paternalism The New Right: neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism Differing views and tensions within conservatism Hobbes, Burke and Oakeshott Rand, Nozick and the New Right

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US CongressUSA

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Comparative Theories and the UK-US ComparisonUSA

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Regionalism and the European UnionGlobal

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Global Comparative TheoriesGlobal

Topic overview Realism: states, anarchy and the balance of power Liberalism: morality, interdependence and global governance Divisions between realism and liberalism The anarchical society and the society of states Evaluating realism and liberalism against events since 2000

Conservatism

The organic society, hierarchy and paternalism

3 things to know
Component 1

Overview

Recall questions on the organic view of society, how it justifies authority and a functional hierarchy, and how traditional, one-nation and New Right conservatives view paternalism.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What is the organic society or state in conservative thought?

Key term

How does the organic view of society underpin conservative belief in authority?

Key term

What kind of society does the organic view promote?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is the organic society or state in conservative thought?
Model answer
The view that society is a living organism, more important than any of its individual parts.
2
How does the organic view of society underpin conservative belief in authority?
Model answer
A functioning organism requires leadership and direction.
3
How does the organic view of society provide a justification for conservative belief in hierarchy?
Model answer
Just as different parts of an organism perform different functions at different levels, conservatives argue that society naturally requires people to occupy different positions and roles, making hierarchy a natural and necessary feature rather than an artificial imposition.
4
Why do conservatives who hold an organic view of society see hierarchy as functional rather than oppressive?
Model answer
Because in an organism, different parts must perform specialised functions at varying levels for the whole to work effectively; similarly, social hierarchy allows different groups to fulfil distinct roles that contribute to the health and stability of society as a whole.
5
What kind of society does the organic view promote?
Model answer
A cohesive society where individuals recognise their mutual obligations and interdependence rather than pursuing purely selfish interests.
6
Define paternalism in conservative thought.
Model answer
Authority exercised downwards for the good of those subject to it, in the way a parent's authority over a child is meant to serve the child.

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ACitizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

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