quotes and meanings Flashcards
(11 cards)
What does burke say about revolutionary change?
“The people who are in the lowest condition are those who are always most ready to change their government”
criticism of revolutionary change, defending tradition and gradual reform.
What does Nozick say about the governments limited role?
“The state may not interfere w individuals lives except to protect from force, theft, fraud and enforcement of contracts. it is a night watchman state”
governments role to protect from force, theft and fraud, dos not extend beyond limited function
What does Hobbs say about his view on the state and nature?
“The condition of man is a condition of war of everyone against everyone”
view on state and nature and need for strong central authority to maintain peace and order
What does Oakeshott say about his views on rationalism?
“To be conservative then, is to prefer the familiar to the unknown, the tried to the untried”
conservatism inclination to the known, rejecting ideological, rationalist pursuit of abstract ideas
What does Rand say about individual freedom?
“The question isn’t who is going to let me: its who’s going to stop me”#
emphasise on individual freedom and self-determination, central themes of objectivism
What did Hobbs say about human nature?
“Life, in the state of nature, is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”
what did Nozick say about taxation?
“Taxation of earning from labour is on a par with forced labour”
view on the state, minimal state
What did burke say about “Little platoons”?
“Love the little platoons to which we belong”
society should be built on these platoons, family, church, community rather than relying on abstract ideologies or large governments
What did Hobbs say about covenants and swords?
“Covenants without swords are just swords”
means that in Hobbs view, a strong government or ruler, a “Swords” is necessary to keep order and make sure promises/ agreements are kept.
what did Burke say about society being as contract?
“Society is but a contract between the dead, the living and those yet to be born”
we inherit traditions, wisdom and knowledge from the “Dead”, we must past on stable just society to the future. Society is an agreement/contract.
What did Oakeshott say about dreaming and ruling?
“The conjunction of ruling and dreaming generates tyranny”
if rulers focus too much on grand idealistic ideas without considering practical realities can lead to oppressive control.
government to be guided by pragmatism, not rationalism
