Conservative Thinkers Flashcards
(6 cards)
Any Rand (new right conservative-neoliberal)
Human imperfection- individuals are rational and their highest moral purpose is the achievement of personal happiness. Rand rejected HI and collectivism because the obligations demanded from individuals eroded their freedom. REJECT TRAD VIEW ON ‘little platoons’
State- only purpose of the state is to protect individual rights. In an atomistic society, individuals have te right to maintain property and income without being taxed for welfare spending. Needed to be ‘rolled back’
‘I should only pursue my own self-interest’
Altruism is evil- indivual should be guided by self-interest
Both Rand and Nozick require a small state to maintain free markets and social freedoms and to defend borders
Robert Nozick -new right conservative/ neoliberal
Reject pessimistic human imperfection, believed that individuals are rational and driven by the idea of self-ownership of their talent, abilities , labour. They can use that to be strong economic actors.
Role of the state- believed in negative freedom, whereby the individual should be free from as many external constraints (e.g. religion) as possible. Thus, protecting indivual rights not the collective as society is atomistic with libertarian values.
‘Minarchist’ gov w minimal interference in society, state should be a ‘night watchman’ limited to strong law and order- DISLIKED PATERNALISM.
State encroaches on the lives of citizens and that welfarism creates a dependcy culture, with the state ‘owning’ individuals
‘Tax for the most part is theft’
Why can it be argued that new right conservatives are not truly conservative
It widens inequality, the social heir by becomes taller with more levels akin to the nazi leadership. The fabric of society starts to break down.
Edmund Burke- traditional conservative
Human imperfection- the imperfections of humans causes them to band together in supportive communities-‘little platoons’
He did not think humans are ruthlessly individualistic; rather they are naturally geared towards forming little communities, as their imperfection compels them to band together in supportive communities.
Tradition- ‘society is but a social contract between the dead, the living and those yet to be born’ and particularly religion, is ‘our comfort, and one great source of civilisation’
Economy- libertarian, championed the laissez-faire free market capitalism of Adam Smith, pioneer of free market economics
Thomas Hobbes ( traditional)
Human imperfection- negative view, humans are born selfish, with a relentless desire to acquire goods and self-gratification.
State-humans ae rational enough to seek order, which can only be achieved by a social contract where individuals give up freedoms to an all powerful sovereign state. Therefore, if a state is in control, individual unto my ceases and power is transferred to the state. Less anarchy.
Without a strong state and national conscience, life would be “nasty, brutish and short”
Michael oakeshott- traditional conservative WITH one-nation elements
20th century philosopher who was influenced by the horror of war, a bridge between trad and one nation.
Saw the ravages of war and witness the rise in inequality where there was a burgeoning new class- the aristocrats who hard their wealth.
Human imperfection- humans are ‘fragile and incapable’ because they are intellectually imperfect but are capable of benevolence, decision making should be grounded in empiricism and not rationalism
State and tradition- since we aren’t rational, humans should put their faith in tradition ‘politics of sceptics’, therefore, decisions by gov should be made and on pragmatic and empirical lines
Economy- free market is the natural state but some pragmatic involvement may be necessary if its limited in moderation (TRACES of one-nation)
