conservatism Flashcards
What are the different strands of conservatism?
- Traditional conservatism: believes in hierarchy, gradual change and organic society
- One-Nation conservatism: supports limited state intervention to reduce inequality and prevent revolution
- New Right Conservatism: advocates free-markets, minimal government and strong law & order
Who are the key thinkers for each strand of conservatism?
- Traditional conservatism: Thomas Hobbes, Edmund Burke
- One nation: Michael Oakeshott
- New Right: Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick
Who was Thomas Hobbes?
- an English philosopher
- advocated for a state as without it there would be ‘natural chaos’
- Wanted a state which was sovereign to create laws which would benefit all
What was Hobbes’ view on human nature?
- individuals are selfish
- driven by a desire for supremacy and security
What was Hobbes’ view on the state?
- the state’s power must be concentrated
- give order and security to individuals
What was Hobbes’ view on society?
- there can be no society until the creation of the sate bring order
- Life until then is ‘nasty brutish and short’
What was Hobbes’ view on the economy?
- economic activity needs a strong state for security
- Order is necessary for trade and prosperity
Who was Edmund Burke?
- Whig MP
- argued mankind’s tendency to fail more than succeed
- change should occur based on fact rather than theory
- Against the French Revolution for discarding history and tradition
What was Burke’s view on human nature?
- sceptical
- human’s are flawed as there is a gap between aspiration and achievement
What was Burke’s view on the state?
- the state should be ruled by a aristocratic elite who should rule in the interest of all
What was Edmund Burke’s view on society?
- society is organic (develops over time)
- comprised of a small group of communities known as ‘little platoons (such as families, religious groups and local organisations)
- these groups preserve social order and prevent radical change reinforcing conservatist view of tradition
What was Edmund Burke’s view on the economy?
- supports free markets but believes trade should develop gradually and naturally
- unchecked capitalism could undermine social cohesion and create instability
- Economy should be shaped by moral values, historical experiences and institutions rather than just market forces
What was Oakeshott’s view on human nature
- humans are imperfect but not entirely destructive
- they should rely on tradition and experience
What was Oakeshott’s view on the state
- the state should be pragmatic
- the government should maintain order but avoid major plans for transformation
What was Oakeshott’s view on society?
- society is best when it develops gradually and organically
- local communities are needed for humanities well being
What was Oakeshott’s view on the economy?
- supported free markets but should be managed as they are unpredictable
- believed economic management should be done carefully to avoid instability
What was Ayn Rand’s view on human nature?
- Humans are rational and self interested
- guided by a pursuit of their own happiness
What was Ayn Rand’s view on the state?
- the state should only exist to protect individual rights
- should not interfere in people’s lives or businesses
What was Ayn Rand’s view on society
- society is a collection of individuals
- people should be free from collective restraints and allowed to act in their own-self interest
What was Ayn Rand’s view on the economy?
- strongly supported laissez-fair capitalism
- believed it was the only system that respected individual freedom
What was Robert Nozick’s view on human nature?
- humans are rational
- should be free to make their own choices to realise their full potential
What was Robert Nozick’s view on the state?
- the state should be minimal
- only protect people from force, theft and fraud
- give contracts to private companies providing public services
What was Robert Nozick’s view on society
- society should allow voluntary cooperation rather than enforced equality
- could be through many small groups who reflect their members diverse tastes
What was Robert Nozick’s view on the economy?
- he opposed wealth redistribution and supported a free-market economy
- minimal state intervention only judging disputes between private economic organisations
How do conservatives view human nature?
- humans are flawed
- self seeking and competitive meaning a strong authority is needed
How does the conservatist belief about human nature impact their views on crime and government?
- argue that crime is caused by individual flaws
- support strong law and order and a paternalistic government to maintain stability
What is the conservative belief in organic society?
- Society is a single entity that develops naturally over time rather than artificially designed
- people are connected through institutions such as family, church and local communities
What is the role of hierarchy in society?
- conservatives believe hierarchy is natural and inevitable
- different social groups have taken roles which compliment each other
- those at the top must take responsibility for those below them
What was Thatcher’s response to organic society
- Challenged this view
- saying ‘There is no such thing as a society’
- meaning that individual interests are more important than collective goals
How do conservatives view the economy?
- Conservatives generally support free-market capitalism but differ in how much state intervention is needed
What are the different strands views on the economy?
- Traditional conservatives (Burke) believe that free-markets should develop gradually to maintain stability
- one-nation conservatives support limited welfare to prevent social unrest
- the new right (Rand and Nozick want minimal government and full free-market capitalism
What is the conservative view of the state?
the states primary role is to maintain order, stability and security
What do the conservative strands each think about the role of the state?
- traditional conservatives believe in a strong but limited state that governs pragmatically
- one nation conservatives support some welfare to reduce inequality
- the new right want a minimal state that only enforces laws and protects individual freedom
