Analysis of Oakeshott's Ideologies of Change and Innovation

This essay delves into Michael Oakeshott's ideologies of change and innovation, focusing on his conservative perspective. It explores his view that conservatism is a disposition, not a rigid ideology, emphasizing the value of what already exists. The essay examines Oakeshott's concept of gradualism, where innovation should be carefully considered and implemented to allow for observation and adjustment. It highlights the importance of limits on innovation, with rules and regulations providing stability. The essay then applies Oakeshott's ideas to American conservatism, discussing its emphasis on republicanism, free markets, and individual liberty, while contrasting it with modern liberalism. The role of government, the balance of power, and the importance of individual rights within the American context are also explored. References include works by Beckstein, Fuller, Gamble, and Vannatta.

Running head: OAKESHOTT’S IDEOLOGIES OF CHANGE AND INNOVATION 1
Oakeshott’s change and innovation ideologies
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OAKESHOTT’S IDEOLOGIES OF CHANGE AND INNOVATION 2
Oakeshott’s change and innovation ideologies
Oakeshott’s viewpoint of change and innovation is based on the aspect of conservatism.
According to him, conservatism is not an ideology, a credo or a body of principles but rather is a
disposition that involves enjoying what is already there instead of looking for something else. He
observes innovation to be within the probability and knowledge limits since people rarely know
what they do (Gamble, 2012). Under gradualism, innovation involves the conservative procedure
where the innovator needs to prove the possibility of benefits. Thus, innovation must resemble
growth and should target specific defects that need curing. It needs to be gradual so that the pace
allows people to make observation on consequences and thus make adjustments. Oakeshott also
sees innovation as essential, having its limits on the objectives intended. Premeditated goals
regarding innovation should be controlled by rules whose stability is very important. In a
conservative situation, the government puts limits by providing regulations and rules of conduct.
Thus people are permitted to enjoy the aspect of making their choices (Beckstein, 2015). In this
case the government does not have to be an instrument of inflaming the passions among the
people. However, it needs to strive to achieve moderation. The reason is that moderation is not
only a truth or virtue about people but because in a pragmatic way, it involves helping people
avoid being locked in a situation of mutual frustration (Vannatta, 2013).
Oakeshott’s ideologies on conservatism are very much applied in politics among various
nations which include the US. American conservatism is a political system that is very broad. It
is characterized by its advocacy for respect on republicanism, American traditions, moral
universalism, free trade, Judeo-Christian values and free markets (Fuller, 2017). Other examples
include the anti-communism, American exceptionalism advocacy, individualism and the western
culture defense from perceived threats that are posed by moral relativism, socialism and

OAKESHOTT’S IDEOLOGIES OF CHANGE AND INNOVATION 3
authoritarianism. In these politics, liberty is an important value that puts emphasis on free market
strengthening (Beckstein, 2015). Conservatism in the country considers the individual liberty as
the fundamental aspect on democracy. Within the American value bounds, the perspective is
contrasted to the modern liberals in the country who put a greater value on social justice and
equality. There politics emphasize on the need to fight for and achieve these goals. The politics
that apply Oakeshott’s ideology on conservatism involve the people having a strong belief in
limiting the size and scope of the government. This is achieved through the constitution that
ensures federal balance in the national and state government rights (Vannatta, 2013). There are
some libertarians who tend to fight for strong action in such cases that involve the scope of the
government like law and national defense enforcement. The social conservatives have opposition
towards abortion and restrict lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender rights. They tend to propose
a situation where all people are protected by the constitution laws while ensuring equitable
service from the federal government. For instant, conservatism in the US has advocated for the
need to find the aspect of racism in the country as an effort of achieving equality and equity
among the citizens. This aspect explains the reason why politics in the country must involve the
will of the majority provided it brings benefit to all citizens.

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References
Beckstein, M. (2015). What does it take to be a true conservative?. Global Discourse, 5(1), 4-21.
Fuller, T. (2017). The idea of the university in Newman, Oakeshott, and Strauss. In Academic
Ethics. The Southern journal of philosophy, Cambridge 3 (1), 17-33.
Gamble, A. (2012). Oakeshott’s Ideological Politics: conservative or liberal. The Cambridge
Companion to Oakeshott, 153-176.
Vannatta, S. (2013). The Inner and Outer Voices of Conservative Pragmatism: CS Peirce and
Michael Oakeshott. Southwest Philosophy Review, 29(1), 79-87.