Conservatism

Question 1

Hobbes book

Answer 1

Leviathan (1651)

Question 2

Hobbes quotes

Answer 2

“war of every man against everyman
Life would “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”

Question 3

Hobbes view on the state

Answer 3

There should be total obedience to the state to preserve law and order

Question 4

Hobbes view on freedom

Answer 4

The only right we should have is the right to defend yourself against the state. A ‘social contract’ should exist.

Question 5

Burke’s book

Answer 5

“Reflections on the Revolution in France” -1790

Question 6

Burke’s view on the state

Answer 6

The state is like a body; it should adapt but be cautious in doing so.

Also compares society to a plant where the roots are important, but careful pruning is needed for organic and steady development.

Question 7

Burke’s view on freedoms

Answer 7

The innate or hereditary abilities of the social elite give them the authority to make decisions on societies behalf, imposing an obligation to care for the less fortunate.

Question 8

Nozick’s book

Answer 8

Anarchy, State and Utopia (1974)

Question 9

Who does Nozick base his ideas on?

Answer 9

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

Question 10

Nozick’s view on the state

Answer 10

Tax and welfare are immoral because they treat people as means; taxation is enforced by law, prison and cohesion. It takes hard earned money against your will.

This areas of his theory is liked by Thatcher and Reagan.

Question 11

Nozick’s view on society

Answer 11

Very libertarian

Humans should not be treated as things and should not be used against their own will as a resource.

Goes as as to suggest there should be no anti-smoking measures - loses support of Thatcher and Reagan.