Conservatism Flashcards
What does Hobbes argue about human nature?
(traditional conservative)
People are imperfect, ruthlessly selfish, calculating and competitive.
Without state restraint, humans would regard each other with envy and hatred and would exist in perpetual war.
What did Burke argue about human nature?
(traditional conservative)
Thought humanity was flawed.
Contrasts with HOBBES as he did not see people monsters and instead communal. Saw Church as having central role in giving individuals comfort and support
What did one-nation conservatives eg Benjamin Disraeli and Michael Oakeshott argue about human nature?
Humans fear the unknown, dislike change, instead preferring familiarity and routine.
Oakeshott- people are not capable of rational thinking.
In line with Burke- arguing that without laws to guide them, human life would be ‘noisy, foolish and flawed’.
What did the New Right (Ayn Rand, Robert Nozick) argue about human nature?
Humans naturally desire individual freedom and have ability to innovate and be enterprising.
Robert Nozick- people egotistical, state should leave people to reach potential .
However, humanity is not fully positive and he sees need for some formal authority.
What do all conservatives agree belongs in society?
Tradition- customs and habits are very important
Turning away risks future of organic society (society cannot be artificially created and instead emerges slowly overtime)
All change should be mindful and gradual
Why do conservatives believe in an organic society?
Conservatives believe society’s fundamentals cannot be changed
What did Burke argue about localism and individualism in society?
Argue society made up of local communities that give people security, status and sense of community
How does New Right oppose localism and individualism in society?
New Right champions individualism-
Ayn Rand- doubts that that society exists and is instead the sum of individuals
Robert Nozick- Should be agreed to individual self-fulfilment
What do traditional conservatives believe about hierarchy in society?
Accept is unequal and sees no reason to adjust this.
Sees those at top as there for a good reason
One nation view on hierarchy?
One-nation believe that those at top are obliged through paternalism
Oakeshott- local communities vital to human survival
New right view on hierarchy?
Happy with inequality- however far less keen on paternalism. Link to individualism.
Burke view on society
Organic and based on ‘little platoons’- family, church and local community
Hobbes view on society
No society without a state to establish order
Conservative view on inequality and hierarchy
No thought that inequality is bad and should be removed
Property naturally looks to protect land, ownership, wealth of elite
However- one nation supports social reform to help those at bottom of society. This is motivated by desire to maintain hierarchy and and prevent support to overthrow them
Conservative key belief about the state?
LAW AND ORDER!
Conservative beliefs about human nature ensure their belief in need for a firm state to maintain discipline of people
What form of state did Hobbes believe in?
Autocratic state- establishes that order is needed before liberty can be established- state precedes society
Conservative beliefs about organic society?
Dislike a state being created on ideas rather than emerging slowly based on what is needed (empirical)
Tradition in the state
Commitment to tradition will make conservatives more likely to support whatever system is in place
Traditional conservatism
Found on reaction to the French Revolution of 1789 and work of Edmund Burke
Opposes revolutionary change and egalitarian ideas and theory
Key ideas on order, tradition, evidence and property
Organic development of state and inequality
Modern reform to stop revolution eg Robert Peel support for Great Britain Reform Act 1932
One nation Conservatism
Disraeli in Britain- thought governments should prioritise social cohesion and a sense of national unity
Response to spread of socialism
Class difference embraced but focus on the state was something all classes should defend
Ruling class had a paternal responsibility to improve lives of lower classes
State sponsored social reform- Factory Act 1874
New Right Conservatism
Originates in USA, transferred to the UK
Matches USA traditions of individual freedom, free market economics, private property and small government
Ideas match with Locke with Christian morality and belief in government that is small, limited but strong
Thomas Hobbes
Skeptical of human nature. Argued that ‘natural rights’ liberals did not exist without the state
Society would not exist w/o the state
Argued formal authority needed to define right from wrong
Without state, ‘natural chaos’ in which everyone has own version of right and wrong
Edmund Burke
Human nature- believed in human imperfection. Gap between what people wanted and what they could achieve
Society- organicism: Burke saw society as being like a plant (change had to be careful and direction was unclear) important to stick to traditions that were roots of organic society
Supported existence of elites in society. Dismissed equality. If elites ruled in best interests of all, revolution could be advocated
Michael Oakeshott
Human nature- incapable of creating perfect society, could get pleasure and improvement of everyday life
Believe free markets need to be moderated by state as volatile
States job is to prevent bad not create good
Critisiced by New Right as felt people had ability to shape their destiny and government ability to shape destiny of a country
