Conservatism

Question 1

Who are the 5 key thinkers in conservatism?

Answer 1

Hobbes, Burke, Oakeshott, Rand and Nozick

Question 2

How do traditional conservatives view human nature? name the key thinker

Answer 2

Hobbes - Relativism (pessimistic), can be rational but also emotional and impulsive, cannot agree on absolute morals

Question 3

How do traditional conservatives view the state of nature? name the key thinker

Answer 3

Hobbes - entirely dangerous leading to a violent state of war due to lack of absolute rule

Question 4

How do traditional conservatives view the social contracts? name the key thinker

Answer 4

Hobbes - natural laws accepted out of self-preservation, with the clear ability to pursue peace and defend yourself

Question 5

How do traditional conservatives view state power? name the key thinker

Answer 5

Hobbes - Absolute power is fundamental to avoid natural chaos, as we can not be free unless we are safe. Strong order and enforcement is needed (Leviathan 1651)

Question 6

What are the 6 main ideas of traditional conservatism?

Answer 6

-Human Imperfection
-Tradition
-Pragmatism
-Organic Society
-Paternalism
-Libertarianism

Question 7

How do traditional conservatives view human imperfection?

Answer 7

Psychologically, Morally, Intellectually flawed; justified strong government and order for our chaotic state of nature

Question 8

How do traditional conservatives view tradition?

Answer 8

Society benefits from tradition, accumulated wisdom of generations, should be prejudice (sceptical) of new ideas, and change society to conserve custom - no change at all encourages revolution

Question 9

How do traditional conservatives view pragmatism?

Answer 9

Reform based on ‘what works’, slow changes to the living organism of society, preference for common law and prescription (ownership from long-term use)

Question 10

How do traditional conservatives view organic society?

Answer 10

Classes must work effectively as a ‘fixed compact’ and carry out our functions and duties that we are born into (Burke), as we have compulsory obligations and thus are never truly free

Question 11

How do traditional conservatives view paternalism?

Answer 11

Those with natural aristocracy have a duty to lead lower classes, as they have the available skills - Supported Trustee model and hereditary lords to restrain tyranny of the majority

Question 12

How did Burke view equality of outcome? (paternalism)

Answer 12

A ‘monstrous fiction’ - redistribution meant that none could have much, it would create equality in equal beggary

Question 13

How do traditional conservatives view libertarianism?

Answer 13

Individual freedom, minimal state and laissez fare capitalism supported - inequality and hierarchy natural and invoke order to self-interested individuals, importance of property rights as an incentive

Question 14

How did disraeli view society as two nations? (One-Nation Conservatism)

Answer 14

A rich and poor nation that threatened stability by seperating, objected equality of outcome and supported equality of opportunity

Question 15

How did one nation conservatives view the economy?

Answer 15

Combining paternalism with capitalism to improve conditions of work, opposed laissez-faire capitalism as wages and employment increased with intervention

Question 16

How did Disraeli view noblesse oblige? (One-Nation Conservatism)

Answer 16

Belief in hierarchy, but wealthy needed to take on more duties and obligations, as the state would need to take on this welfare otherwise - to ignore the needs of the masses is to risk revolutionary change

Question 17

What is Macmillans middle way? (One-Nation Conservatism)

Answer 17

An idea that emerged from WW1 to improve the lives of the poor, laissez-faire criticised after Great Depression

Question 18

How did Macmillan tackle the economy using the ‘middle way’? (One-Nation Conservatism)

Answer 18

Keynesian economics to fight unemployment, cutting taxes and using spending for growth when economy slows - market should not be completely independent, instead making plans together for growth

Question 19

How did Macmillan view state welfare in his ‘middle way’ (One-Nation Conservatism)

Answer 19

There should be a basic safety net to tackle health and unemployment, as the free market often couldn’t deliver such protections

Question 20

What are Hayek’s views that influenced the emergence of the New Right? (Conservatism)

Answer 20

Organic Change, scepticism of human capacity, laissez-faire capitalism, retaining traditions and using common law because it is pragmatic

Question 21

What are Thatchers economic policies and their aims? (NR Conservatism)

Answer 21

Monetarism - replaced Keynasian economics and focused on cutting inflation instead of controlling unemployment to end ‘Stagflation’, deregulation and privatisation to create competition, disengagement to accept the collapse of failing industries

Question 22

What are Thatchers social policies and their aims? (NR Conservatism)

Answer 22

Neo-conservatism view on permissive society, greater focus on law and order rather than the social causes of the crime, tradition encouraged and voluntary associations - linked to Burke’s little platoons to relieve state dependency

Question 23

What is Rand’s theory on ethical egoism? (NR Conservatism)

Answer 23

Opposition to altruism that valued self-sacrifice at the cost of our own quality of life, we must be rational to survive which is considered ‘evil’ - set objectivist values to prioritise your interests (reason, purpose and self-esteem)

Question 24

How did Rand view atomic society? (NR Conservatism)

Answer 24

Opposed organicism, we should prioritise individualism and negative rights, so that the state shouldn’t manage speech - innovators encouraged to progress society, while second handers underperformed and shouldn’t be provided welfare as they become dependant

Question 25

How did Rand view the minimal state with laissez-faire capitalism?

Answer 25

Negative rights protected to not infringe on others, as the state may become ‘feeble if it became flabby’ - overburdened by trying to provide welfare thus losing efficiency. Capitalism is the only system compatible with human nature, as it allows people to pursue their own interests without being bailed out by the state

Question 26

What book did Nozick publish and what issues did he focus on?

Answer 26

‘Anarchy State and Utopia’ (1974), focused on the issue of individual rights and the role of the state to protect these

Question 27

How did Nozick view utilitarianism?

Answer 27

Opposed the fact it focused on the ends rather than the means, encouraged some violations of an individuals rights in order to produce good for the rights of the majority

Question 28

What is Nozicks theory on ‘the separateness of persons and self ownership’?

Answer 28

We are all distinct individuals, so one person should not have to sacrifice their rights for a common good, individuals are not a tool for society

Question 29

How did Nozick propose the only way to protect rights in society?

Answer 29

Side Constraints - an impermissible barrier to stop infringement, small limits that are only imposed to protect others rights

Question 30

Why Nozick disagree with paternalism and redistribution of wealth?

Answer 30

Paternalism - violates ‘side constraints’ to force someones to take an action, even if you know it would be good for them
Redistribution - viewed as stealing, an equal share equates to partial ownership which undermines separateness of the person

Question 31

Why Nozick disagree with paternalism and redistribution of wealth?

Answer 31

Paternalism - violates ‘side constraints’ to force someones to take an action, even if you know it would be good for them
Redistribution - viewed as stealing, an equal share equates to partial ownership which undermines separateness of the person

Question 32

How does Nozick view the invisible hand with the minimal state

Answer 32

A dominant agency that emerges from competing in the free market, as more people will join the larger agency - smaller groups will be forced to join the dominant one for better protection, therefore should be entitled to compensation for lack of choice

Question 33

What is Nozicks ‘Entitlement Theory of Justice’?

Answer 33

Used to reinforce the minimal state, ensures the means of redistribution are just, which requires justice in acquisition, transfer and rectification - focuses on what we are legitimately entitled to rather than what we morally deserve, thus avoiding a welfare state