Conservatism 2 textbook

Question 1

Hobbes views on human nature

Answer 1

Extremely negative: selfish humans are individualistically driven by self-interest

Question 2

Burkes views on human nature

Answer 2

Somewhat negative: humans are morally and intellectually fallible

Question 3

Oakeshott’s views on human nature

Answer 3

Somewhat negative: focused on intellectual imperfection. Decisions should be grounded in empiricism, not rationalism

Question 4

Rand’s views on human nature

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Nozick’s views on human nature

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Hobbes’s views on the state

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Burke’s views on the state

Answer 7

The state emerges and grows like an organism. Hierarchal 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 8

Oakeshott’s views on the state

Answer 8

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 9

Rand’s views on the state

Answer 9

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 10

Nozick’s views on the state

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Hobbes’ views on society

Answer 11

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 12

Burke’s and Oakeshott’s views on society

Answer 12

Society is like a multifaceted organism. Communities, traditions, customs, ect have a symbiotic relationship

Question 13

Rand and Nozick’s views on society

Answer 13

Society pursues atomistic individualism. A collection of autonomous individuals motivated by self-fulfillment. These individuals resist state or societal obligations as they restrict individual freedom. No welfare state.

Question 14

Hobbes’ views on the economy

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Burke’s views on the economy

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Oakeshott’s views on the economy

Answer 16

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 17

Rand’s views on the economy

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Nozick’s views on the economy

Answer 18

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