Conservatism Flashcards
Who are our key thinker?
Thomas Hobbs
Edmund Burke
Micheal Oakeshott
Ayn Rand
Robert Nozick
Quotes from Thomas Hobbs?
‘Life in the state of nature is solidarity, poor, nasty, brutish and short’
‘Covenants without swords are just words’
Thomas hobbs overall?
-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
Thomas Hobbs idea on human nature?
Human beings are driven by a desire for power, and without order, life would be short and unpleasant
-Human beings left to their own devices will commit atrocities on each other
Thomas Hobbs idea on state?
The state is necessary to imposer order and prevent chaos
-State needs to be autocratic and authoritive
Hobbs on the economy?
For economy to function state is necessary
Thomas Hobbs idea of society?
The need for a strong, centralised authority to maintain peace
-society can’t exist without state as human natures flawed
Edmund Burkes key quotes?
‘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’
Edmund Burkes overall beliefs?
-Supported American revolution but horrified by that of the french rejecting the monarchy and ruling class and religion
Edmund Burkes beliefs on human nature?
Humans are imperfect and need to recognise limitations
Talents are not shared equally
-L/C cant lead
Edmund Burkes beliefs on state?
The state is a partnership between past present and future generations, traditions and institutions should be preserved
-Noblesse oblige obligation of elites to look after the l/c
Edmund Burkes beliefs on society?
A natural aristocracy should guide society, emphasising the importance of family and local community
-Tradition is important elitism not equally importance of little plantoons
Edmund Burkes beliefs on economy?
Advocates for stability and caution against radical change
-Free market economy
Michael oakeshott quotes?
‘The conjunction of ruling and dreaming generates tyranny’
‘Conservatism is a conversation not an argument’
Michael oakeshott overall beliefs?
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
Michael oakeshott- human nature?
Conservationm is a conservation about human limitations, not an ideological struggle
-HN is fallible not terrible so therefore we are not capable of creating a perfect society
Michael oakeshott- state?
The state should be a tool for ongoing dialogue and adaptation
-Job of the government is to prevent bad and not create good, keep ship afloat
-Dogmatic, nightwatchman state guided by tradition
Michael oakeshott- society?
-Localised communists are essential to human survival especially when guided by short term requirments rather than abstract ideas
-Commodity of society is built around empiricism normallity
Ayn rand key quotes?
‘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’
Ayn rand- human nature?
Promoted selfishness
Ayn rand- state?
Opposed to most aspect of state government
Complete right of individual over the state
-Roll back the state govt should be as small as possible, a small strong state
Ayn rand- economy?
True value of society was how much wealth it produced
-Free market, laissez faire govt stay out of running the economy
Ayn Rand on society?
Society does not exists
Atomism just a collection of individuals collides into each other
Robert Nozik key quotes?
‘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’
