conservatism Flashcards
What is Hobbes’ view on Human Nature?
Cynical: individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security
What is Burke’s view on Human Nature?
Sceptical: the ‘crooked timber of humanity’ is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement. We may conceive of perfection but we are unable to achieve it
What is Oakeshott’s view on Human Nature?
Modest: Humanity is at its best when free from grand designs and when focused on the routines of everyday life.
What is Rand’s view on Human Nature?
‘Objectivist’: We are - and ought to be - guided by rational self-interest and the pursuit of self-fulfillment
What is Nozick’s view on Human Nature?
Egotistical: individuals are driven by a quest for ‘self-ownership’ allowing them to realise their full potential
What is Hobbes’ view on The State?
The state arises ‘contractually’ from individuals who seek order and security. To serve its purpose, the state must be autocratic and awesome.
What is Burke’s view on The State?
The State arises organically and should be aristocratic, driven by a hereditary elite, reared to rule in the interests of all.
What is Oakeshott’s view on The State?
The state should be guided by tradition and practical concerns. Pragmatism, not dogmatism, should be its watchword.
What is Rand’s view on The State?
The state should confine itself to law, order and national security. Any attempt to promote ‘positive liberty’ via further state intervention, should be resisted
What is Nozick’s view on The State?
The minarchist state should merely outsource, renew and reallocate contracts to private companies providing public services.
What is Hobbes’ view on Society?
There can be no ‘society’ until the creation of a state brings order and authority to human affairs. Life until then is ‘nasty, brutish and short’
What is Burke’s view on Society?
Society is organic and multi-faceted, comprising a host of small communities and organisations (‘little platoons’)
What is Oakeshott’s view on Society?
Localised communities are essential to humanity’s survival, especially when guided by short-term requirements rather than abstract ideas
What is Rand’s view on Society?
In so far as it exists at all, society is atomistic: the mere sum total of its individuals. Any attempt to restrict individuals in the name of society should be challenged. Meritocratic rather than aristocratic.
What is Nozick’s view on Society?
Society should be geared to individual self-fulfillment. This may lead to a plethora of small, variable communities reflecting their members’ diverse tastes and philosophies.
