Conservatism

Question 1

Traditional conservatives

Answer 1

Hobbes and Burke

Tradition and pragmatism vital in maintaining society

Question 2

One nation conservatism

Answer 2

Oakeshott

More interference from the state to preserve society

Question 3

The New Right conservatism

Answer 3

Rand and Nozick

A mix between Neo liberalism and Neo conservatism, less focused on state interference, more focused on the individual

Question 4

Hobbes view on human nature

Answer 4

Humans are imperfect and self interested and this cannot be avoided
Refers to ‘state of nature’
Human’s inevitably at war with each other due to their clashing views

Question 5

Hobbes view on the state

Answer 5

Role of the state is to protect individuals
Humans opt to the ‘social contract’ where freedom is handed to the state
State must be ‘intimidating and forbidding’

Question 6

Hobbes view on society

Answer 6

Is hierarchical and has to rely on the role of the state to create the appropriate conditions

Question 7

Hobbes view on the economy

Answer 7

State has to make boundaries for the economy, but take a minimal role in it
Economy is reliant on the state

Question 8

Burke view on human nature

Answer 8

Humans are imperfect
Lack of ability, rather than desire
Argues the French Revolution was too positive in its view of human nature

Question 9

Burke view on role of the state

Answer 9

Governing class is obliged to government in the interest of all 
It is organic and any dynamic change would destroy it 
Change is necessary but only in order to conserve

Question 10

Burke view on society

Answer 10

Made up of ‘little platoons’ which help to ‘nurture and prune’ humanity by proving common interests

Question 11

Burke view on the economy

Answer 11

Low government intervention, laissez-faire economics
Economy can adapt by itself
Trade is the driver fro these organic free markets

Question 12

Oakeshott view on human nature

Answer 12

More positive than traditional conservatives
‘Fallible but not terrible’ and ‘imperfect but not immoral’
Humans are still incapable of perfect societies but able to create ‘pleasure and improvement through humdrum business of everyday life’

Question 13

Oakeshott view on state

Answer 13

State must be pragmatic and there to ‘prevent the bad rather than create the good’
‘keep the ship afloat at all costs’

Question 14

Oakeshott view on society

Answer 14

Believes conservatism is the most positive, as it accepting what people have rather then getting frustrated about an end goal
‘Prefer present laughter, to utopian bliss’

Question 15

Oakeshott view on the economy

Answer 15

Free market economics

State must intervene to keep ship afloat

Question 16

Rand view on human nature

Answer 16

Humans are capable and talented
They lay the heart for a successful society, not the government
Humans are guided by rational self interest in order to achieve self fulfilment

Question 17

Rand view on the state

Answer 17

A small state is needed for both free markets and laissez-faire culture
‘Small state is a strong state’

Question 18

Rand view on society

Answer 18

Society is defended by millions of autonomous individuals rather than connected communities
Defends the right to an individual’s choice

Question 19

Rand view on the economy

Answer 19

Laissez faire capitalism
Supported tax cuts and privatisation
State must not hinder free markets which are an expression of objective individualism

Question 20

Nozick view on human nature

Answer 20

Optimistic
Focuses on human desire for self ownership
Tax is ‘theft’
Dishonesty and violence does exist but not human’s main characteristics

Question 21

Nozick view of the state

Answer 21

Very limited, solely a nightwatchman

Growth of the government is a threat to individual freedom

Question 22

Nozick view on society

Answer 22

Should exist to help individuals self fulfilment
May lead to small communities developing, similar to ‘little platoons’ - Burke
The growth of welfare states should be reversed
Libertarian, so accepting of abortion and homosexuality

Question 23

Nozick view on the economy

Answer 23

State should be detached from a privatised economy and deregulated economy
State should arbitrate on disputes between private economic organisations