Conservatism

Question 1

Who are our key thinker?

Answer 1

Thomas Hobbs
Edmund Burke
Micheal Oakeshott
Ayn Rand
Robert Nozick

Question 2

Quotes from Thomas Hobbs?

Answer 2

‘Life in the state of nature is solidarity, poor, nasty, brutish and short’
‘Covenants without swords are just words’

Question 3

Thomas hobbs overall?

Answer 3

-If left to own devises humans would naturally commit atrocities on eachother
-You must have a strong, brutal state and government able to manage flawed human beings
-The state is justified in using coercion, force violence to control us

Question 4

Thomas Hobbs idea on human nature?

Answer 4

Human beings are driven by a desire for power, and without order, life would be short and unpleasant

Question 5

Thomas Hobbs idea on state?

Answer 5

The state is necessary to imposer order and prevent chaos

Question 6

Thomas Hobbs idea of society?

Answer 6

The need for a strong, centralised authority to maintain peace

Question 7

Edmund Burkes key quotes?

Answer 7

‘The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing’
‘Society is a contract between the dead, the living and those not born yet’

Question 8

Edmund Burkes overall beliefs?

Answer 8

-Supported American revolution but horrified by that of the french rejecting the monarchy and ruling class and religion

Question 9

Edmund Burkes beliefs on human nature?

Answer 9

Humans are imperfect and need to recognise limitations

Question 10

Edmund Burkes beliefs on state?

Answer 10

The state is a partnership between past present and future generations, traditions and institutions should be preserved

Question 11

Edmund Burkes beliefs on society?

Answer 11

A natural aristocracy should guide society, emphasising the importance of family and local community

Question 12

Edmund Burkes beliefs on economy?

Answer 12

Advocates for stability and caution against radical change

Question 13

Michael oakeshott quotes?

Answer 13

‘The conjunction of ruling and dreaming generates tyranny’
‘Conservatism is a conversation not an argument’

Question 14

Michael oakeshott overall beliefs?

Answer 14

Importance of tradition as a unifying force
Anti ideological
Rationalism
Compared state to a ship at sea, most important thing for the government was to keep the ship afloat not to arrive at destination

Question 15

Michael oakeshott- human nature?

Answer 15

Conservationm is a conservation about human limitations, not an ideological struggle

Question 16

Michael oakeshott- state?

Answer 16

The state should be a tool for ongoing dialogue and adaptation

Question 17

Michael oakeshott- society?

Answer 17

Conservatism is more about maintaining practical order than ideological welfare

Question 18

Ayn rand key quotes?

Answer 18

‘the smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cant clam to be defenders of minorities’
‘Money is the barometer of a society’s virtues’

Question 19

Ayn rand- human nature?

Answer 19

Promoted selfishness

Question 20

Ayn rand- state?

Answer 20

Opposed to most aspect of state government
Complete right of individual over the state

Question 21

Ayn rand- economy?

Answer 21

True value of society was how much wealth it produced

Question 22

Robert Nozik key quotes?

Answer 22

‘No state more extensive than the minimal state can ever be justified’
‘Taxation of earnings from labour is on par with forced labour’
‘Any attempt at wealth redistribution is socially legitimised theft’

Question 23

Robert Nozik- economy?

Answer 23

Compared taxation to forced labour
Compared wealth redistribution to theft

Question 24

Robert Nozik- state?

Answer 24

Small state government as possible
Only role for a state should be to protect us from internal external harm and threats