Conservatism

Question 1

Thomas Hobbes on human nature

Answer 1

Cynical- individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security. Without the restraints of formal authority, relations between human beings would be ‘nasty, brutish and short’

Question 2

Thomas Hobbes on the state

Answer 2

the state arises ‘contractually’ from individuals who seek order and security. to serve its purpose, the state must be automatic and awesome

Question 3

Thomas Hobbes on society

Answer 3

There can be no ‘society’ until the creation of a state brings order and authority to human affairs. Life until then is ‘nasty, brutish and short’

Question 4

Thomas Hobbes on the economy

Answer 4

order and security is needed in society to promote economic ability and growth

Question 5

Edmund Burke on human nature

Answer 5

Sceptical- the ‘crooked timber of humanity’ is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement. saw the individual as foolish but the species as wise. humans could not rely on rationalism but on tradition and custom. opposed the idea of a social contract as suggested by Hobbes. only contract was between the dead, living, and yet to be born - present must nurture and protect tradition and custom to pass onto futute generataiona dn french revolution was destruction of that contract as destroyed existing institutions, practices and customs and so removed the inheritance of those yet to be born.

Question 6

Edmund Burke on the state

Answer 6

The state arises organically and should be aristocratic, driven by a hereditary state, reared to rule in the interests of all.

Question 7

Edmund Burke on society

Answer 7

Society is organic, and multi-faceted, comprising a host of small opportunities and organisations ‘little platoons’. Hierarchy was natural in organic societies

Question 8

Edmund Burke on the economy

Answer 8

trade should involve ‘organic’ free markets and laissez-faire capitalism

Question 9

Michael Oakeshott on human nature

Answer 9

Humans are imperfect. They lack the ability to make sense of a complex world, but are capable of making moral decisions. Fragile and fallible. ‘politics of scepticism’- govt attempts to perfect mankind are dangerous to human liberty and dignity.

Question 10

Michael Oakeshott on the state

Answer 10

The state should be guided by traditional and practical concerns. Pragmatism, not dogmatism, should be its watchword. The state is a body that can be used to ‘negotiate every storm’ in times of hardship where needed.

Question 11

Michael Oakeshott on society

Answer 11

Localised communities are essential to humanity’s survival, especially when guided by short-term requirements rather than abstract ideas. A rational leader makes decisions based on the authority of his own reason. This creates the dangerous idea that the leader knows everything about society.

Question 12

Michael Oakeshott on the economy

Answer 12

Free markets are volatile and unpredictable, and may require pragmatic moderation by the state. Private property allows for security and power, so should be more widespread.

Question 13

Ayn Rand on human nature

Answer 13

‘Objectivist’- we are- and ought to be- guided by rational self-interest and the pursuit of self-fulfilment. Rational self-interest is a virtue. The pursuit of such is morally right, based on ‘the virtue of selfishness’.

Question 14

Ayn Rand on the state

Answer 14

The state should be small, confined to national security, enforcing contracts and law and order. Any attempt to promote ‘positive liberty’ via further state intervention should be resisted.

Question 15

Ayn Rand on society

Answer 15

Society is atomistic. Any attempt to restrict individuals should be challenged

Question 16

Ayn Rand on the economy

Answer 16

Supported an unregulated laissez-faire economy, compatible with the free expression of human rationality as free market capitalism is an expression of ‘objectivist’ individualism and should not be hindered by the state.

Question 17

Robert Nozick on human nature

Answer 17

Egotistical- individuals are driven by a quest for ‘self-ownership’, allowing them to realise their self-potential.

Question 18

Robert Nozick on the state

Answer 18

The state should have minimal intervention upon the individual as they own their bodies, talents, abilities and labour. Taxation, welfare and state regulation undermine this principle.

Question 19

Robert Nozick on society

Answer 19

people are individual and have their own goals and aims and should be left to achieve these on their own. This may lead of a plethora of small, variable communities reflecting their members’ diverse tastes and philosophies

Question 20

Robert Nozick on the economy

Answer 20

Taxes levied for state welfare are immoral as they treat individuals as a resource. Only a minimalist state can be justified.

Question 21

Change to conserve

Answer 21

fundamental principle of conservatism - for something to be preserved, it has to be continuously updated and maintained

Question 22

Robert Nozick

Answer 22

1938-2002
Nozick’s work Anarchy, State and Utopia (1974) further developed the ideas of New Right conservatism. He supported a limited government to ensure individual freedom, and the privatisation of industries to ensure smooth running and competition.

Question 23

Ayn Rand

Answer 23

1905 -1982
A thinker of the New Right, Rand’s work was a stark departure from traditional conservative thinkers of the past. Her idea of objectivism expressed the idea that humans should be self-interested. She also used the theory of atomism, which is the idea that society is made up of independent people that each seek their own goals.

Question 24

Michael Oakeshott

Answer 24

1901-1990
Oakeshott built on the ideas of Burke and Hobbes by accepting that humans are ‘imperfect but not immoral’, thereby stating that human nature may be seen as more optimistic than first thought. His work On Being Conservative (1962) also looked at the role of the state as a keeper of peace.

Question 25

Edmund Burke

Answer 25

1729-1797
From his work Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), Burke expresses thoughts on human imperfection and the importance of tradition within society. He was also a supporter of change to conserve.

Question 26

Thomas Hobbes

Answer 26

1588-1979
Hobbes’ most notable ideas revolve around the state and human nature. In the state of nature (natural human living without laws or institutions), there is vulnerability and the possibility for conflict in a “war of every man against every man”. His most notable work is Leviathan (1651).