CONSERVATISM Flashcards
1
Q
core conservative view on human nature
A
- human nature is frail and fallible
- ‘philosophy of imperfection’
- Hobbes said without the restraints of formal authority relations between human beings would be bad and life was ‘nasty brutish and short’
- human nature driven by self interest
2
Q
what were thomas hobbes’ beliefs
A
- humans were needy and vulnerable
- before the state there was no voluntary arrangements between individuals & therefore no liberal ‘natural rights’
- human life is ‘nasty, brutish, and short’
- each man’s versions of right and wrong is different so it would lead to war
- argued that a ‘sovereign’ would make laws (the state) and would be autocratic so no powers would be dispersed
- without a state there would be no civil society
3
Q
core conservative belief of society
A
- localism: unlike atomistic individuals (liberalism) they see ‘little platoons’ (burke) where the communities provide their individuals with security
- organicism: society emerges gradually like a plant unlike liberals who see mankind as the masters of our fate.
- empiricism: ‘evidence over theory’ unlike normative view in socialism/liberalism which priotitise what ought to be. e.g. oakeshott ~ conservative society is oen that strives to stay afloat in uncertain waters not sail
- tradition: customs and habits provide security. change should come slow not drastic.
- hierarchy:inequalities within human nature lead to an unequal society with a hierarchy. but those in power need to be paternalistic.
- judaeo-christian morality: stronger attachment to religion, e.g. strong emphasis on marriage and being responsible for actions
- property: property is inherited, providing stability in a shaky world. property owership promotes an incentive for paternalism (look after those without property) and thereby maintain existing society.
- new right’s overall analysis of society values individual liberty but in line with traditional cons in that hierarchy is important
4
Q
core conservative view on the state
A
- order & authority: disciplinary function with security and authority. the state precedes society. no order and liberty unless there are clear laws backed by authority.
- organic origins: more supportive of uncofidied constituions since state should arise organically with a pragmatic response to humanitys needs
- ruling class: endorse elitist society that has heriditary power. the state would legislate whenever new laws are necessary to show order and social cohesion.
- nation-state: state and nation is intertwined which is why monarchs/presidents/constitutions are important. new right (Nozick & Rand) say to strengthen the nation state we should ‘roll back the frontiers’ because if the nation-state is burdened by nationalised industries & welfare states it’s harder to focus on order and security
5
Q
core conservative views on the economy
A
- favour capitalism
- Burke supported adam smith (father of laissez faire economics)
- traditional conservatives are sceptical of capitalism since it requires an optimistic view of market forces so support moderated capitalism where free markets are tempered with state intervention
- trads were drawn to keynesian capitalism whereby the state managed market forces in the interests of full employment
- new right gov of thatcher aimed to free the economy through privatisation
- new right has alignment with trads arguing that disengaging from the economy means funding on security/armed forces
6
Q
traditional conservatism
A
- arose from the French Revolution
- ## ‘change to conserve’: e.g. george canning championed the abolition of slavery, arguing that it brought property owenrship into disrepute
7
Q
traditional thinkers
A
edmund burke,
8
Q
what did edmund burke think
A
- father of conservatism
- mankind was fallible - more likely to fail than succeed
- change should proced based on fact and experience
- government is more like a plant than a machine so change must be cautious and organic
- belived that organic societies always have an elite which had an obligation to govern in the interests for all
- society of ‘little platoons’