CONSERVATISM

Question 1

Thomas Hobbes contribution to conservatism

Answer 1

1651 ‘Leviathan’ which argues for the necessity of a strong, centralised authority to maintain social order and prevent chaos
A state of nature without government = “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” characterized by constant fear and conflict due to the absence of laws and government

Question 2

Edmund Burke’s contribution to conservatism

Answer 2

the state is organically and naturally formed of ‘elite’ individuals who possess paternal instincts and seek to look after the less able elements of society : nobless oblige
‘change to conserve’ - EMPIRICISM and tradition should be the basis of change, rather than theory and idealism

Question 3

Michael Oakeshott’s contribution to conservatism

Answer 3

a more optimistic view on human nature : “fallible but not terrible” “imperfect but not immoral”
The state should prevent bad rather than create good
The state should simply keep the nation afloat rather than steering them to a set destination

Question 4

Ayn Rand’s contribution to conservatism

Answer 4

socially liberal
economy should be completely unregulated/free
small state = strong state
objectivism // atomism – rejection of any collectivism

self-interest, rightly understood, is to see oneself as an end in oneself.
one’s own life and happiness are one’s highest values
one does not exist as a servant or slave to the interests of others.

Question 5

Robert Nozick’s contribution to conservatism

Answer 5

No-state-Nozick is a strong advocate for extremely limited government
welfare = dependency culture
tax = theft