As political turmoil escalates, the Conservative party has taken steps to rebrand and refresh its policy agenda. Such measures include adopting more liberal social policies like same-sex marriage and greener energy initiatives.
But these changes don’t seem to address the core principles of conservative ideology. So what can the GOP learn from Britain’s Conservatives?
1. Economic Policy
Economic policy is at the core of modern conservatism, evidenced by Margaret Thatcher’s privatization of industries and Ronald Reagan’s reduction of maximum income tax rates. Conservatives generally adhere to free market principles and oppose government interference in the economy; yet they remain flexible enough to adapt with social changes; for instance when BBC came under criticism for unethical journalism in their Panorama interview with Princess Diana Spencer, Bow Group chairman Ben Harris-Quinney offered both criticism as well as solutions.
This shows that, while hard right members may be concerned with woke capitalism’s rise, they don’t see it as incompatible philosophy but as infusing free market values they do not endorse and need to address.
2. Social Policy
British conservatism differs significantly from American conservatism in that it tends to focus more on safeguarding economic and personal liberties for its people, rather than protecting nation-state borders or restricting immigration policies based on skills. This holistic approach to politics encompasses nation-states, industrial policies, and skilled immigration policies as pillars.
Conservative politics in Britain have not been immune from issues like trade fallout, the COVID-19 pandemic or Boris Johnson’s disastrous early response, which have all played out with mixed results. While many are quick to point out that conservative movements re-asserted themselves after Brexit, British conservatism has historically changed power with liberal movements term by term due to its tendency of shifting power from government back into society and being thus more flexible to changing political environments.
3. Foreign Policy
Conservatism as a political philosophy encompasses various theories regarding foreign policy. American conservatives aim to use diplomacy to resolve international conflicts before they escalate into conflicts that require military settlements.
British conservatives strive to unite the country through cultural and social reforms, while at the same time upholding an effective national security policy that safeguards against potential threats to national unity.
British conservatism differs significantly from American conservative administrations in that there is no concept of limited government present within its ideology, which allows politicians like Boris Johnson to criticize Jeremy Corbyn without making claims that his plans violate natural rights or basic liberty. This type of “fusionism” refers to its combination of traditionalist and classical liberal political thought.
4. Religious Policy
Due to numerous differences between British and American conservatisms, it can be challenging to draw meaningful comparisons between them. US politics are marked by an important religious element not present in UK politics – this fact being illustrated through formal policy interventions like G W Bush’s Presidential AIDS Relief Policy which remains one of the largest investments made by any government into African health.
Contrastingly, British conservatives tend to view religion less as an influence on society; earlier conservative thinkers such as Edmund Burke held utilitarian attitudes toward religion such as protecting it as an hierarchical institution but without regard to spiritual claims made by it. Yet under Blair, New Labour improved governmental engagement with religious communities across Britain significantly.
5. Culture
Culture refers to how a group of people behave together, with special significance attached to specific actions taken by members. It includes customs, laws, dress, architectural styles and traditions which create bonds within that society.
American conservatism has recently turned its attention away from free market economics and towards cultural issues like free speech and statues, which poses a risk to its future viability.
As a result, conservatives have been losing ground to American liberalism over time. To combat this trend and reverse it, Bow Group suggests learning lessons from British conservatism by adopting their strategy of adopting viewpoint diversity that allows healthy debate without infighting among party lines – something particularly critical if social media platforms that promote political polarization come into play.