Traditional conservatists also have an organic view of society in the sense that you cannot tamper with it. They believe that society has its natural hierarchy of classes and this is natural. This view, therefore means that people can co-operate and society benefits.
There are many objections by traditionalists towards the New Right. The criticisms include that the Thatcherites neglect the elderly and weak, which is seen as a betrayal of social values.
One traditional conservatist Ian Gilmour believes that the New Right are extremists and fundamental and even went on to write a book called “Dancing with Dogma.”
In addition, taxation actually rose under Mrs. Thatcher and traditional conservatives criticised this, as they have always been the party of sound economic management.
Furthermore traditional conservatists believe that the New Right failed in its basic duty to impose order based on the fact that there was high unemployment, poor education and that they placed too much emphasis on “selfish materialism.” Other traditionalists include Lord Carrington and Francis Pym.
A New Right view is different to a traditional conservative view in a number of ways. The New Right was formed as a reaction to the 1960’s and 70’s against liberal values e.g. hippies, free love, pacifism etc and against socialism e.g. big state, high tax, state control of economy.
The New Right is far more ideological than traditionalists. Margaret Thatcher once saying that this type of conservatism “represents one of these big changes of direction which sometimes occur in politics.” This is strongly against a Traditionalist view.
The New Right believes in privatisation and competition and to scrap businesses that do not make a profit and Thatcher made many policies to characterise this. For example pit closures. This came under attack from the traditionalists, as they believe it destroys communities and a way of life.
The New Right also believes that state reliance should end. To encourage this Thatcher wanted individuals to buy their council houses in the belief that it will encourage responsibility, create a family foundation and enhance people’s sense of ambition. However, this is a very idealistic idea and traditionalists responded by saying that the New Right are neglecting their duty towards the elderly in particular as they cannot afford to buy their own houses.
The New Right is also very individualistic in the sense that they believe in very little state interference and what there is of it should be ran with “business like efficiency”. People should be left to get on with their lives. This in turn means that taxes will decrease as people try “to provide on their own for their own.” Key New Right names include John Redwood and Alan Clarke who were prominent Thatcherites during the 1980’s. John Redwood playing a key role in the policy of selling council houses.
In conclusion there are both similarities and differences between traditional conservatists and the New Right view of society and I have discussed these in the above essay.