CONSERVATISM Flashcards
CONSERVATIVE STATE AGREE
Conservatives generally believe society should evolve organically.
Burke wrote that ‘a state without the means to change is a state without the means of its conservation’. The principle to change as time goes on is a key conservative thought. Oakeshott seconds this as his belief of pragmatism and tradition as the guiding lights highlights this idea. Both opposed the idea that a purely ideological state could be successful. They both wrote these ideas from what they saw.
CONSERVATIVE STATE DISAGREE
Conservatives disagree on the size and power of the state. Hobbes believed that the state needed to be ‘awesome’ due to the pessimistic view of human nature. This can be contrasted by the views of a monarchist state held by the new rights. The state should be limited to purely protection.
Traditional conservatives back an aristocratic rule as they are strong believers in noblesse oblige and that those who rule were meant to rule. However new rights are hostile to this principle as their stake in the status quo limits their ability to make radical change.
CONSERVATIVE ECONOMY AGREE
New right thinkers are whole hearted supporters of the free-market. Ayn Rand stated that unregulated capitalism was morally superior to other systems as it respected rational self-interest. Nozick hated taxation and called it legalised theft and that owners should reap the full benefits from their work. The new right strand fundamentally agree on a free-market.
T Hobbes and Oakeshott both agreed the some state interference was needed to create security and reduce volatility in the market.
Conservative economy disagree
Not all conservatives have the same support for free-market capitalism. Oakeshott believed in a free-market with some regulation to reduce volatility and to protect those in the market. Nozick called these ideas selfish and lazy. Therefore, this shows the differing aspects of the economy that different conservative strands have.
Conservative society agree
Focus on small communities rather than society as whole.
Edmund Burke wrote about little platoons that were small autonomous communities free from state interference as the centralised structures caused harm. Oakeshott similarly focused on localised communities saying they were essential to human survival and Nozick also believed that society would divide into a plethora of different communities reflecting their different tastes and skills. Here, throughout conservatism there is an agreement on the size and stature of communities being small.
Conservative society disagree
Burke sees society as rooted in history and tradition and that we learn from what is taught before us and that we respect previous generations. Society would therefore change slowly over time to protect tradition.
New right ideology differs as they move away from history and toward a more self-reliant society. They particularly challenged the idea of religion and traditions. This illustrates a large difference.
Aristocrats vs meritocracy in second paragraph.
Conservative human nature agree
ALL conservatives agree that human nature is flawed and individuals are selfish. Edmund Burke argued that whilst humanity can imagine perfection, they cannot achieve it due to their inherent imperfection. Oakeshott echoed this by emphasising human ability to understand the complexion in the modern world - hence why they prefer the tried to the untried and the familiar to the unknown. Throughout conservatism, thinkers agree that humans are selfish and Rand describes people as being driven by ‘rational self-interest’. This shows that throughout conservatism, there is a fundamental agreement that there is a negative view on human nature.
Conservative human nature disagree
According to Hobbes, life was ‘nasty, brutish and short’ and that humans needed to be under the constraints of an authoritarian state. Other thinkers had a less cynical view on human nature. Oakeshott stated that humans can actually achieve by focussing on day to day activities whereas Rand argued that humans should be free rather than under the clenches of an authoritarian state. Therefore, this shows that Hobbes’ views and ideas are out of date and unattainable in today’s world.
Burke takes a sceptical view on the potential of human nature as there is a huge gap between achievement and aspiration. He saw this from the French revolution as the government overestimated the populations potential and subsequently this led to the French revolution. On the other hand, new right thinkers take a more positive view on the potential of humans as they can really achieve , especially economically. They believe that capitalism allows new human potential to be unlocked. Therefore, this shows that there is a clear disparity between strands over the potential of human nature.
