conservatism

Question 1

What is Thomas Hobbes’ view on Human nature?

Answer 1

cynical, individuals are selfish driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security

Question 2

What is Thomas Hobbes’ view on The state?

Answer 2

The state arises “contractually” from individuals who seek order and security. To serve its purpose the state must be autocratic and awesome

Question 3

What is Thomas Hobbes’ view 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

What is Thomas Hobbes’ view on The economy?

Answer 4

Constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order and security

Question 5

What is Edmund Burke’s view on Human nature?

Answer 5

Sceptical, the crooked timber of humanity is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement. We may conceive of perfection but we are unable to achieve it

Question 6

What is Edmund Burke’s view on The state?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is Edmund Burke’s view on society?

Answer 7

Society is organic and multi-faceted comprising a host of small communities and organisations “little platoons”

Question 8

What is Edmund Burke’s view on The economy?

Answer 8

trade should involve organic free markets and laissez-faire capitalism

Question 9

What is Micheal Oakshott’s view on Human nature?

Answer 9

Modest, humanity is at its best when free from grand designs and when focused on the routines of daily life

Question 10

What is Micheal Oakshott’s view on the state?

Answer 10

the state should be guided by tradition and practical concerns. Pragmatism not dogmatism should be its watchword

Question 11

What is Micheal Oakshott’s view on society?

Answer 11

localised communities are essential to humanity’s survival, especially when guided by short term requirements rather than abstract ideas

Question 12

What is Micheal Oakshott’s view on The economy?

Answer 12

Free markets are volatile and unpredictable and may require pragmatic moderation by the state

Question 13

What is Ayn Rand’s view on Human nature?

Answer 13

Objectivist, we are and ought to be guided by rational self interest and then pursuit of self-fulfilment

Question 14

What is Ayn Rand’s view on the state?

Answer 14

The state should confine itself to the law, order and national security. Any attempt to promote positive liberty via further state intervention should be resisted

Question 15

What is Ayn Rand’s view on society?

Answer 15

society is atomistic the mere sum total of its individuals . any attempt to restrict individuals in the name of society should be challenged

Question 16

What is Ayn Rand’s view on The economy?

Answer 16

Free market capitalism is an expression of objectivist individualism and should not be hindered by the state

Question 17

What is Robert Nozick’s view on Human nature?

Answer 17

Egotistical, individuals are driven by a quest for self ownership allowing them to realise their full potential

Question 18

What is Robert Nozick’s view on the state?

Answer 18

The Minarchist state should merely outsource renew and reallocate contracts to private companies providing public services

Question 19

What is Robert Nozick’s view on society?

Answer 19

should be geared to individual self-fulfilment. This may lead to a plethora of small, variable communities reflecting their members’ diverse taste and philosophies

Question 20

What is Robert Nozick’s view on the economy?

Answer 20

The minarchist state should detach itself from a privatised and deregulated economy, merely arbitrating disputes between private economic organisations

Question 21

What is Human nature as a core idea of Conservatism?

Answer 21

• stresses human frailty and fallibility
• descriptive not prescriptive
• rejects the malleable or plastic view of human nature
• -scorns idea that human nature can be remoulded given the correct environment
• is fixed and constant job of politicians is to accommodate not alter this reality

Question 22

What are the features of society as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 22

Localism
organicism
Empiricism 
tradition
 hierarchy
Judeao-christian morality
Property

Question 23

What is the Localism feature of society as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 23

see society as a collection of localised communities
these communities provide their individuals with security, status and inspiration, while acting as a break upon the selfish individualism

Question 24

What is the Organicism feature of society as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 24

society is not somwthing that can be contrived or created but rather something that emerges gradually, organically and therefore somewhat mysteriously

• human life is subject to forces beyond the scope of reason
• more like a plant

Question 25

What is the Empiricism feature of society as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 25

A preference for evidence over theory and tends to emphasise 'what is' over 'what should be' deal with society's issues in a practical, evidential way -merely aims to stay afloat

Question 26

What is the Tradition feature of society as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 26

Effectiveness of an empiricism society relies heavily on tradition customs and habits are used to provide security in an uncertain world with history and experience shaping whatever changes become necessary change and reform must be slow and respectful

Question 27

What is the Hierarchy feature of society as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 27

- imperfections of society lead seamlessly to inequalities - wiser, stronger and more opulent establish a hierarchy of power and privilege - with the privilege comes responsibility. This comprise known as paternalism or noblesse oblige

Question 28

What is the Judaeo-Christian morality feature of society as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 28

Conservatism has a much stronger attachment to religion with its beleif in original sin - society has a strong emphasis on marriage, self contained families and individuals being held accountable - spirit of altruism and compassion will help bind individuals together and curb the imperfections

Question 29

What is the Property feature of society as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 29

respect for property something that is inherited thus providing a degree of stability -those with property should have concern for those without incentive for duty of care -new right wish to extend

Question 30

What are the features of the state as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 30

Order and authority Organic origins a ruling class the nation state

Question 31

What is the Order and authority feature of The state as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 31

goal of state is to provide order, security and authority - state precedes society - feasibility of individual rights are entirely dependent on law and order

Question 32

What is the Organic origins feature of The state as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 32

sceptical about states that arise momentously from a formal rational discussion -prefer a state that emerges gradually, organically and unpredictably more tolerant of Uk uncodified const

Question 33

What is the A ruling class feature of The state as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 33

more comfortable with a state that is overtly hierarchical, reflecting the elitist society they also endorse power often aristocratic and hereditary rather than democracy

Question 34

What is the economy as a core idea of conservatism?

Answer 34

Capitalism tends to nurture and widen economic inequalities and to sharpen distinction between rich and poor free market risk v stability conservatives want dubbed capitalisms reluctant supporters Traditional supported a moderated form of capitalism free markets tempered by state intervention capitalism promoting the status quo