conservatism

Question 1

Hobbes’ view on human nature

Answer 1

extremely negative - selfish humans are individualistically driven by self-interest

Question 2

Hobbes’ view on the state

Answer 2

the state arises from a ‘social contract’ between sovereign and subjects. subjects cede freedoms to an autocratic monarch to guarantee the rule of law and to avoid ‘a state of war’

Question 3

Hobbes’ view on society

Answer 3

society did not exist before the creation of the state. the sovereign brings order and authority. before the creation of the state, life was ‘nasty, brutish and short’

Question 4

Hobbes’ view on the economy

Answer 4

economic activity is possible only after the creation of the state. the sovereign brings order and authority, allowing the economy to develop

Question 5

Burke’s view on human nature

Answer 5

somewhat negative: humans are morally and intellectually fallible

Question 6

Burke’s view on the state

Answer 6

the state emerges and grows like an organism. hierarchical in nature, the hereditary elite rules with paternal noblesse oblige for the interests of all. the state should ‘change to conserve’ society guided by empiricism

Question 7

Burke’s view on society

Answer 7

society is like a multi-faceted organism. communities, traditions, customs, etc. have a symbiotic relationship

Question 8

Burke’s view on the economy

Answer 8

the free market is the natural organic state of the market and the state should protect laissez-faire capitalism

Question 9

Oakeshott’s view on human nature

Answer 9

somewhat negative: focused on intellectual imperfection. decisions should be grounded in empiricism, not rationalism

Question 10

Oakeshott’s view on the state

Answer 10

the state should be guided by tradition and experience. sceptical of rationalist state action. change, if it must occur, should be guided by pragmatism and empiricism

Question 11

Oakeshott’s view on society

Answer 11

society is a multi-faceted organism. communities, traditions, customs, etc. have a symbiotic relationship

Question 12

Oakeshott’s view on the economy

Answer 12

the free market is the natural state of the market. state involvement should be limited to pragmatic moderation. state management or economic policies underpinned by rationalism should be avoided because of intellectual imperfection.

Question 13

Rand’s view on human nature

Answer 13

positive: humans are capable of rational thought and should be ‘objectivist’ in pursuing self-interest

Question 14

Rand’s view on the state

Answer 14

the state should play a minimal role in the life of the individual. the state should secure a free market, law and order and national security

Question 15

Rand’s view on the society

Answer 15

society pursues atomistic individualism. a collection of autonomous individuals motivated by self-fulfilment. these individuals resist state or societal obligations as they restrict individual freedom. no welfare state

Question 16

Rand’s view on the economy

Answer 16

free-market capitalism with no state intervention and a privatised and deregulated economy

Question 17

Nozick’s view on human nature

Answer 17

positive: individuals are rational and driven by the idea of self-ownership of their talent, abilities and labour

Question 18

Nozick’s view on the state

Answer 18

a minarchist state: the state should be limited to law and order, enforcement of contract and defence of the realm

Question 19

Nozick’s view on society

Answer 19

society is essentially atomistic. a collection of autonomous individuals with libertarian values. these individuals resist state or societal obligations as they restrict individual freedom. no welfare state

Question 20

Nozick’s view on the economy

Answer 20

a minarchist state will be one of free-market capitalism with a privatised and deregulated economy

Question 25

conservatism

Answer 25

a political ideology that seeks to preserve traditional institutions, values, and practices, emphasizing stability, order, and continuity

Question 26

what is 'change to conserve'

Answer 26

the idea that change is necessary to preserve society and its traditions (Burke's principle)

Question 26

what is meant by human imperfection

Answer 26

the belief that humans are morally flawed, intellectually limited, and dependent on authority

Question 27

atomism in conservative thought

Answer 27

the idea that individuals are self-interested and disconnected, requiring strong societal structures to bind them

Question 28

conservative view on hierarchy

Answer 28

society naturally organises itself into fixed hierarchies based on status and authority

Question 29

noblesse oblige

Answer 29

the moral obligation of the elite to care for those less fortunate

Question 30

laissez-faire

Answer 30

a belief in minimal state interference in the economy, championed by neoliberals

Question 31

anti-permissiveness

Answer 31

a rejection of liberal social norms that conservatives believe undermine moral standards

Question 32

conservative view on human nature

Answer 32

pessimistic: humans are fallible, selfish, and require order and guidance

Question 33

conservative view of the state

Answer 33

a strong state is essential to maintain law, order, and tradition

Question 34

conservative view on society

Answer 34

organic society - naturally hierarchical, bound by shared values and interdependence

Question 35

conservative view on the economy

Answer 35

support for private property and a capitalist economy, traditional conservatives support regulation, neoliberals advocare for free markets

Question 36

traditional conservatism

Answer 36

emphasis on hierarchy, order, tradition, and organic society (Burke)

Question 37

one-nation conservatism

Answer 37

advocates paternalism and social cohesion, promoting welfare to prevent class conflict (Disraeli)

Question 38

the New Right

Answer 38

a fusion of neoliberal economics and neoconservative social policy

Question 39

neoliberalism

Answer 39

advocates for free markets, deregulation, and individual responsibility (Friedman, Hayek)

Question 40

neoconservatism

Answer 40

emphasis on strong state authority, national interest, and traditional values

Question 41

conservative view on freedom

Answer 41

freedom is desirable but must be balanced with order and responsibility