Conservatism Key Thinkers (Spec)

Question 1

Thomas Hobbes

Answer 1

Order- an ordered society should balance the human need to lead a free life
Human Nature- humans are need, vulnerable and easily led astray in attempts to understand the world around them

Question 2

Edmund Burke

Answer 2

Change- political change should be untertaken with great caution and organically
Tradition and empiricism- practices passed down for generations should be respected

Question 3

Michael Oakeshott

Answer 3

Human Imperfection- suggestion that society is unpredictable and humans are imperfect
Pragmatism- belief that conservatism is about being pragmatic

Question 4

Ayn Rand

Answer 4

Objectivism- this advocates the virtues of rational self-interest
Freedom- this supports a pure, laissez-faire capitalist economy

Question 5

Robert Nozick

Answer 5

Libertarianism- based on Kant’s idea that individuals in society cannot be treated as a thing, or used against their will as a resource
Self-ownership- individuals own their bodies, talents, abilities and labour