conservatism Flashcards
(14 cards)
Thomas Hobbes’ views on a state
Principle reason for a state was for the creation of order and security, without such a state there could be no civil society and that for the state to be effective, would have to be autocratic, intimidatinf and forbidding
Thomas Hobbes’ arguments about human nature in his 1651 work Leviathan
Humans were needy and vulnerable so likely to commit destructive acts. Before a state, there was no cooperation or voluntary agreements between individuals
What did Hobbes think the ‘state of nature’ was like before the state?
A place of scarce resources where individuals governed by self-interest. Constant desire of goods meant distrust of othere and constant fear of violent death.
Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short
Why did Hobbes believe that mankind would eventually agree to a contract and a society?
He thought that mankind would eventually realise that the state of nature was obstructive to self-interest and thus for form a contract.
Sovereign power would allow sort of peace and security state of nature couldn’‘t provide.
Why did Hobbes think that society would have to be autocratic?
If power was dispersed, conflicts within state of nature would be replicated.
Conservative views of society (7)
Localism
Organicism
Expiricism
Tradition
Heirarchy
Judeo-Christian morality
Property
Conservative view of society - localism
Society is a collection of localised communities rather than independent indiviuals
Burke described them as little platoons
These communities provide individuals security, status and inspiration. No ‘selfish individualism’ wanted by classical liberals
Conservative view of society - organicism
Society is not man-made, its natural and grows gradually and organically.
Conservative sceptisism - they see the reality of an unplanned organic society.
View society less like a machine (completely controlled by humans) but like a plant (growing unpredictably and slowly)
Conservative view of society - empiricism
Preference for evidence over theory and emphasis on what is rather than what could be.
Deal with issues in practical, evidential w/o thinking too far in the future.
Contrast to normarive views in more
progressive ideologies (focus on how societies should be and plans on hoe to create it.
Oakshott said a conservative society aims to stay afoot in uncertain waters rather than sail to a specific destination which may prove illusory
Conservative view of society - tradition
Tradition provides security in an uncertain world
Oakshott said a plant’s new leaves are connected to, dependent on and explained by the plant’s roots and branches so a society’s present direction stems from past development
Change and reform is inevitable but should be slwo and not drastic
Burke - the dead, the living and the ones who are yet to be born
Conservative view of society - tradition
Tradition provides security in an uncertain world
Oakshott said a plant’s new leaves are connected to, dependent on and explained by the plant’s roots and branches so a society’s present direction stems from past development
Change and reform is inevitable but should be slwo and not drastic
Burke - the dead, the living and the ones who are yet to be born
Conservative view of society - heirarchy
Imperfections of humanity lead seamlessly into inequalities within human nature (as opposed to the liberal idea that all humans are born equal) which leads to an uneven society.
Burke says the wiser, smarter and more oppulent establish a heirarchy of power and privilege.
With power comes responsibility so the higher classes are meant to look after the lower classes. Compromise known as paternalism (father and son) and noblesse oblige.
Conservative view of society - property
Humans are imperfect (indoctrine of original sin)
Includes strong emphasis on marriage, self contained familt and individuals being held accountable for their actions.
In tory society, religious principles (spiritual reward for altruism) and compassion will help bind individuals together and curb the imperfections that both torys and Christians see as inherent to human nature.
Opposite to liberals who believe in human rationality
Main purpose of state
Provide security, order and authority because w/o that there’s no individual freedom (Burke)
