<論説>ディズレーリの保守主義

Abstract

イギリス一九世紀の歴史は産業革命という新しい歴史構成力を基軸に考えられるのが普通である。その世紀は産業革命の担い手たるプルジョワジーの世紀であり、自由主義の世紀であると一般に見做されている。勿論その評価に異議のあろうはずはないが、しかし、イギリスの一九世紀がただそれだけの評価で十全に理解されえないのもまた明らかである。このプルジョワジーの興隆期を通じて、一八世紀来の保守勢力は亡びることなく新しい状況に自からを適応させ、一九世紀の末葉以降は、自由主義の退潮をよそに、革新勢力たる労働党と並んで今日にいたっている。イギリスの歴史的風土により適合的であったのは、自由主義よりも保守主義であったといっても許されるであろう。本稿は一九世紀における最大の保守主義者ディズレーリの思想と行動に焦点を合せて、イギリス保守主義の産業賓本主義社会への対応を究明しようとしたものである。

In this paper I want to throw a light upon the history of the 19 th century England from a less familiar point of view in this country. As is well known, the bourgoisie carrying the Industrial Revolution is said to have created Victorian Liberalism. I am not intended to deny and challenge this generalization, but to call attention to an opposite political force working against bourgois Liberalism. This is Conservatism of landed aristocracy and if we neglect this phase of the society, the landscape of Victorian England will not fully be drawn. During this period of bourgois supremacy, the traditional tory party, though it changed its name into Conservative at the middle of the thirties, not only continued to exist but also positively applied itself to the new political circumstances of capitalization and since the end of the 19th century has overcome Liberal party and grown up a powerful force rivaling the new Labour party. Therefore it could be permissible to conclude that Conservatism might be more flexible than Liberalism in the historical climate of England. Benjamin Disraeli was born in 1804 and it was he who had led Conservative party since the Repeal of Corn Laws in 1846. Indeed it was very difficult for him to lead this defeated and unpopular party. But in the last half of the century when we find the transiton of historical situation from aristocracy to democracy, he at length succeeded in turning his party into a popular and democratic one. However, how and why could he lead his party and bring this successful result? To answer this question is the purpose of the paper.