Conservatism Flashcards
Thomas Hobbes on human nature
Cynical- individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security. Without the restraints of formal authority, relations between human beings would be ‘nasty, brutish and short’
Thomas Hobbes on the state
the state arises ‘contractually’ from individuals who seek order and security. to serve its purpose, the state must be automatic and awesome
Thomas Hobbes 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’
Thomas Hobbes on the economy
order and security is needed in society to promote economic ability and growth
Edmund Burke on human nature
Sceptical- the ‘crooked timber of humanity’ is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement. saw the individual as foolish but the species as wise. humans could not rely on rationalism but on tradition and custom. opposed the idea of a social contract as suggested by Hobbes. only contract was between the dead, living, and yet to be born - present must nurture and protect tradition and custom to pass onto futute generataiona dn french revolution was destruction of that contract as destroyed existing institutions, practices and customs and so removed the inheritance of those yet to be born.
Edmund Burke on the state
The state arises organically and should be aristocratic, driven by a hereditary state, reared to rule in the interests of all.
Edmund Burke on society
Society is organic, and multi-faceted, comprising a host of small opportunities and organisations ‘little platoons’. Hierarchy was natural in organic societies
Edmund Burke on the economy
trade should involve ‘organic’ free markets and laissez-faire capitalism
Michael Oakeshott on human nature
Humans are imperfect. They lack the ability to make sense of a complex world, but are capable of making moral decisions. Fragile and fallible. ‘politics of scepticism’- govt attempts to perfect mankind are dangerous to human liberty and dignity.
Michael Oakeshott on the state
The state should be guided by traditional and practical concerns. Pragmatism, not dogmatism, should be its watchword. The state is a body that can be used to ‘negotiate every storm’ in times of hardship where needed.
Michael Oakeshott on society
Localised communities are essential to humanity’s survival, especially when guided by short-term requirements rather than abstract ideas. A rational leader makes decisions based on the authority of his own reason. This creates the dangerous idea that the leader knows everything about society.
Michael Oakeshott on the economy
Free markets are volatile and unpredictable, and may require pragmatic moderation by the state. Private property allows for security and power, so should be more widespread.
Ayn Rand on human nature
‘Objectivist’- we are- and ought to be- guided by rational self-interest and the pursuit of self-fulfilment. Rational self-interest is a virtue. The pursuit of such is morally right, based on ‘the virtue of selfishness’.
Ayn Rand on the state
The state should be small, confined to national security, enforcing contracts and law and order. Any attempt to promote ‘positive liberty’ via further state intervention should be resisted.
Ayn Rand on society
Society is atomistic. Any attempt to restrict individuals should be challenged
Ayn Rand on the economy
Supported an unregulated laissez-faire economy, compatible with the free expression of human rationality as free market capitalism is an expression of ‘objectivist’ individualism and should not be hindered by the state.
Robert Nozick on human nature
Egotistical- individuals are driven by a quest for ‘self-ownership’, allowing them to realise their self-potential.
Robert Nozick on the state
The state should have minimal intervention upon the individual as they own their bodies, talents, abilities and labour. Taxation, welfare and state regulation undermine this principle.
Robert Nozick on society
people are individual and have their own goals and aims and should be left to achieve these on their own. This may lead of a plethora of small, variable communities reflecting their members’ diverse tastes and philosophies
Robert Nozick on the economy
Taxes levied for state welfare are immoral as they treat individuals as a resource. Only a minimalist state can be justified.
Change to conserve
fundamental principle of conservatism - for something to be preserved, it has to be continuously updated and maintained
Robert Nozick
1938-2002
Nozick’s work Anarchy, State and Utopia (1974) further developed the ideas of New Right conservatism. He supported a limited government to ensure individual freedom, and the privatisation of industries to ensure smooth running and competition.
Ayn Rand
1905 -1982
A thinker of the New Right, Rand’s work was a stark departure from traditional conservative thinkers of the past. Her idea of objectivism expressed the idea that humans should be self-interested. She also used the theory of atomism, which is the idea that society is made up of independent people that each seek their own goals.
Michael Oakeshott
1901-1990
Oakeshott built on the ideas of Burke and Hobbes by accepting that humans are ‘imperfect but not immoral’, thereby stating that human nature may be seen as more optimistic than first thought. His work On Being Conservative (1962) also looked at the role of the state as a keeper of peace.
Edmund Burke
1729-1797
From his work Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), Burke expresses thoughts on human imperfection and the importance of tradition within society. He was also a supporter of change to conserve.
Thomas Hobbes
1588-1979
Hobbes’ most notable ideas revolve around the state and human nature. In the state of nature (natural human living without laws or institutions), there is vulnerability and the possibility for conflict in a “war of every man against every man”. His most notable work is Leviathan (1651).
