core ideas of conservatism

Question 1

what is conservatives view of human nature defined by

Answer 1

opposition to liberalism+socialism

Question 2

what two characteristics to cons stress about humans

Answer 2

frailty fallibility

cons view of human nature= ‘philosophy of imperfection’

Question 3

cons view human nature as descriptive not prescriptive what does this mean

Answer 3

see humanity as it is

not would it could/should be

Question 4

do cons see human nature as plastic

Answer 4

no, not malleable
its fixed+ constant
politicians should accomodate not alter this reality

Question 5

according to Hobbes what underpinned human nature

Answer 5

cold rationality

lead to individuals wanting to form a contract= a state

Question 6

what biblican principle does Burke draw upon (human nature)

Answer 6

original sin highlights ‘chasm between desire+achievement’

stressed custom+habit for how we should behave

Question 7

difference between Burke and Hobbes view on human nature

Answer 7

Burke did’t think humans brutally selfish as Hobbes

Burke=humans capable of kindness+wisdom (if rooted in tradition+christian teaching) Hobbes didn’t

Question 8

did Burke think humans were naturally individualistic like Hobbes

Answer 8

no saw them as communal

gained comfort from small communities

Question 9

Michael Oakeshott quote about conservatism

Answer 9

‘more psychology than ideology’

preference for what is known+fear uncertainty

Question 10

what did Michael Oakeshott say about human nature when framed in routine+religious principles

Answer 10

‘benign and benevolent’ (gentle,kind+well meaning)

Question 11

what did new right cons like rand and nozick think of human nature

Answer 11

humans wanted freedom had potential for innovation

did need restraint

Question 12

what has the new right’s view on human nature got in common with Hobbes

Answer 12

driven by self interest

must be contained for peace+stabibility

Question 13

7 themes within conservative society

Answer 13

localism 
organicism 
empricism 
tradition
hierarchy 
judea-christian morality 
property

Question 14

localism (theme in society)

Answer 14

little platoons
communities gave security+status
prevent selfish individualism

Question 15

organicism (theme in society)

Answer 15

seen as a plant (organic growth)
growth can't be predicted 
see 'reality' of unplanned society 
forces out of its control make life more complex 
harder to determine own fate

Question 16

empiricism (theme in society)

Answer 16

has to be this way bc its organic
no clear view how it will evolve
look to reason+evidence
‘stay afloat’

Question 17

tradition (theme in society)

Answer 17

change+reform can’t be drastic

must be respectful of the past

Question 18

hierarchy (theme in society)

Answer 18

hierarchies are natural
little platoons will have them
recognise power comes wi responsibility
paternalistic

Question 19

judeo-christian morality (theme in society)

Answer 19

strong emphasis on marriage,families+individuals responsible for own actions
don’t think ‘dysfunctional people’ caused by ‘dysfunctional society’ - human nature
religion will help curb these imperfections

Question 20

property (theme in society)

Answer 20

often inherited +provide stability
maintenance of property metaphor for maintenance of society
property owners have a ‘stake’=duty of care for others

Question 21

why are new rights even more enthusiastic about property (society) (Rand+Nozick)

Answer 21

want to create a ‘property owning democracy’

not just preserve but extend property

Question 22

new right overall view on society

Answer 22

stresses individual liberty more

but best in one which values hiearchy+judeo Christian culture

Question 23

themes within the state

Answer 23

order and authority
organic origins
ruling class
nation-state

Question 24

order and authority (state themes)

Answer 24

goal of state=order,security+authority
no order=no liberty
individual rights dependent on law
no order until emergence of clear laws

Question 25

organic origins (state themes)

Answer 25

sceptical about states which arise from formal ‘rational’ discussion
likely to be based on ideas not reality
want a state which emerges gradually
(more tolerant of uncodified constitution)

Question 26

a ruling class (state themes)

Answer 26

power will be aristocratic and hereditary
maintain traditional patterns of wealth
trained to rule the state

Question 27

the nation state (state themes)

Answer 27

nation=megacommunity
provides a natural basis for the state
german+french=nation before state
british+american=state defines much of the nation

Question 28

how would new rights view the state

Answer 28

strengthen nation state by rolling back frontiers
if it was too big its inefficient
can’t fufill main purpose

Question 29

why conservatives seen as ‘reluctant supporters of capitalism’ (economy)

Answer 29

free markets are unpredictable and promote risk

conservatives are sceptical of humans and radical change

Question 30

why is conservative economic described as protectionism (economy)

Answer 30

want free markets promotes property + inequality
don;t trust human nature
so want some state intervention

Question 31

why would tarriffs be seen as protectionist (economy)

Answer 31

promote one nation
offset globaliation
in line with cons view of national identity

Question 32

how does new right economics complement conservatism

Answer 32

disengaging state from economy means can focus on purpose of order

Question 33

new rights view on economy

Answer 33

more sympathetic view of free markets

e.g Thatcher+Reagan