Conservatism Flashcards
Traditional conservatives
Hobbes and Burke
Tradition and pragmatism vital in maintaining society
One nation conservatism
Oakeshott
More interference from the state to preserve society
The New Right conservatism
Rand and Nozick
A mix between Neo liberalism and Neo conservatism, less focused on state interference, more focused on the individual
Hobbes view on human nature
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
Hobbes view on the state
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’
Hobbes view on society
Is hierarchical and has to rely on the role of the state to create the appropriate conditions
Hobbes view on the economy
State has to make boundaries for the economy, but take a minimal role in it
Economy is reliant on the state
Burke view on human nature
Humans are imperfect
Lack of ability, rather than desire
Argues the French Revolution was too positive in its view of human nature
Burke view on role of the state
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
Burke view on society
Made up of ‘little platoons’ which help to ‘nurture and prune’ humanity by proving common interests
Burke view on the economy
Low government intervention, laissez-faire economics
Economy can adapt by itself
Trade is the driver fro these organic free markets
Oakeshott view on human nature
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’
Oakeshott view on state
State must be pragmatic and there to ‘prevent the bad rather than create the good’
‘keep the ship afloat at all costs’
Oakeshott view on society
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’
Oakeshott view on the economy
Free market economics
State must intervene to keep ship afloat
Rand view on human nature
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
Rand view on the state
A small state is needed for both free markets and laissez-faire culture
‘Small state is a strong state’
Rand view on society
Society is defended by millions of autonomous individuals rather than connected communities
Defends the right to an individual’s choice
Rand view on the economy
Laissez faire capitalism
Supported tax cuts and privatisation
State must not hinder free markets which are an expression of objective individualism
Nozick view on human nature
Optimistic
Focuses on human desire for self ownership
Tax is ‘theft’
Dishonesty and violence does exist but not human’s main characteristics
Nozick view of the state
Very limited, solely a nightwatchman
Growth of the government is a threat to individual freedom
Nozick view on society
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
Nozick view on the economy
State should be detached from a privatised economy and deregulated economy
State should arbitrate on disputes between private economic organisations
