Conservatism Flashcards
(28 cards)
What unites all conservatives in their view of society?
A shared belief that society needs order and structure, based on a sceptical view of human nature.
What did Hobbes argue about society?
Without strong authority, life is “nasty, brutish, and short” — society must prioritise security and order.
How did Burke describe society?
As a partnership between the living, the dead, and the unborn — an organic structure that must evolve slowly.
What was Oakeshott’s view of society?
Society should avoid the “boundless and bottomless” chaos of human imperfection by valuing tradition and continuity.
How are conservatives divided on tradition and hierarchy?
Traditional conservatives support hierarchy and tradition; New Right thinkers favour individualism and reject imposed social structures.
What are Burke’s “little platoons”?
Local institutions and communities that provide social anchors through tradition and hierarchy.
What did Ayn Rand believe about tradition?
She rejected it — individuals should not be bound by tradition but act in rational self-interest.
What kind of state did Nozick support?
A minimal “night-watchman” state — he opposed state-enforced social structures and redistribution.
How did Oakeshott view society and the individual?
As a “conversation between generations”, where state support is needed to uphold social cohesion.
How did Rand define the role of society?
Society should serve the individual, not the other way around — she supported atomistic individualism.
What was Nozick’s view on social contracts and redistribution?
Individuals should not be forced into contracts that redistribute wealth or impose collective goals.
How did Oakeshott describe human nature and its impact on society?
Humans are “fallible but not terrible” and require guidance and structure to avoid chaos.
What was Oakeshott’s view on utopianism?
Oakeshott warned against rationalist, utopian political schemes, preferring tradition and gradual evolution.
What is the New Right’s view on utopianism?
Rand and Nozick rejected utopianism — though from a different angle. Rand believed state-led utopias destroy individual freedom; Nozick warned against designing society according to one fixed moral pattern.
What is One-Nation and New-Rights view on property?
Oakeshott valued property ownership and traditional institutions for maintaining social cohesion. Rand and Nozick saw property rights as central to individual liberty.
What do One-Nation conservatives say about the role of the state?
Influenced by Disraeli and Oakeshott, they support paternalism and public services to uphold social cohesion.
What did Rand and Nozick argue about the state and economy?
They rejected welfare, viewed taxation as theft, and supported laissez-faire capitalism and a minimal ‘night-watchman’ state.
How do New Right and One-Nation conservatives differ in their view of society?
One-Nation sees organic society with mutual obligations; New Right sees society as a collection of self-interested individuals.
What did Rand say about society?
“Man is an end in himself.” — rejected collectivism and altruism.
Why do all conservatives support the state to some extent?
For the protection of individual rights through law & order. “The only proper, moral purpose of a government is to protect man’s rights.”
— Ayn Rand
How do conservatives differ on the state’s paternalistic role?
It supports a strong state in areas like law, defence, and moral order, despite criticising state economic intervention.
How do Burke and Oakeshott justify a paternalistic state?
Burke: The state is an organic entity with duties to all generations; reform should be pragmatic and slow.
Oakeshott: The state should gently intervene to prevent inequality and preserve social order.
What was Oakeshott’s economic view?
Favoured pragmatic state action and cautious, limited intervention to avoid ideological experiments and instability.
What was the New Right view on economic intervention?
Rand and Nozick opposed it. Rand said taxation and welfare were moral injustices; Nozick supported only a minimal state.
