Conservatism

Question 1

Meaning of pragmatism?

Answer 1

Pragmatism- flexible approach to society on the basis of what works

Question 2

Meaning of tradition?

Answer 2

Tradition- accumulated wisdom of past societies and connection of generations passed down

Question 3

Meaning of human imperfection?

Answer 3

Human imperfection- humans are flawed making then incapable to do good for themselves - flawed morally, intellectually and psychologically

Question 4

Meaning of paternalism?

Answer 4

Paternalism- power that governs in the interest of everyone

Question 5

Meaning of libertarianism?

Answer 5

Libertarianism- upholds liberty seeking to maximise autonomy and free choice

Question 6

Meaning of self ownership?

Answer 6

Self ownership- individuals own their bodies, talents, abilities and labour

Question 7

Meaning of change to conserve?

Answer 7

Change to conserve- small changes could be made in order to conserve society

Question 8

Meaning of localism?

Answer 8

Localism- society made up of small communities that share morals and traditions - little platoons

Question 9

Meaning of organicism?

Answer 9

Organicism- society should emerge organically any force will cause anarchy

Question 10

What are the 3 groups in Conservatism?

Answer 10

• Traditional Conservatives
• One Nation Conservatives
• New Right Conservatives

Question 11

Who are the thinkers in Traditional Conservatives?

Answer 11

• Hobbes

- Burke

Question 12

Who is the thinker in One Nation Conservatives?

Answer 12

-Oakeshott

Question 13

Who are the thinkers in New Right Conservatives?

Answer 13

• Rand

- Nozick

Question 14

To what extent are the conservatives united on their of economy?

Answer 14

Agreement- TC and Neo liberals defend tradition as the believe private property vital to the economy.

Disagreement- One nation and Neo liberals divided on economic role of state.

One nation- state need to take a role in the economy due to volatility of free markets. For pragmatic reasons we need the state.

Neo liberals - reject any state intervention due to true capitalism with unfettered free markets will bring prosperous economy. Due to the failure of public expenditure and inflation neo libs want to rectify Keynesian economics

Question 15

Traditional Conservatives view on human nature?

Answer 15

Humans are seen as sinful due to the beginning original sin from Adam and Eve. Humanity is viewed as selfish and greedy.

Question 16

Traditional conservatives view on the state?

Answer 16

The state must be authoritarian. hierarchy is is seen as essential to a successful society. The authoritarian nature provides security and order

Question 17

Traditional Conservatives view on society?

Answer 17

• Humans need to come together as a community for there to be social stability. The little platoons that society would be in would prevent revolutions and guide humans away from their immoral human nature.
• Society would be able to function normally with accepting hierarchy. Society is organised as different humans have different talents there are elites as leaders thus inequality is inevitable

Question 18

One nation view on human nature?

Answer 18

Humanity is best when it is free from ‘grand designs’ and focused on the daily routines of life.
The extent to which we are flawed isn’t too bad.

Question 19

One nation view on state ?

Answer 19

• The state should intervene to bridge the gap
• PM Macmillan promoted social mobility eg through council houses
• Disraeli said the palace isn’t safe if the cottage isn’t happy

Question 20

One nation view on society?

Answer 20

• The rich have an obligation to look after the poor (noblesse oblige)
• Class structure is seen as organic, everyone in society has a part

Question 21

One nation view on economy?

Answer 21

Capitalist but due to paternalism they don’t mind state intervention

Question 22

New Right view on human nature?

Answer 22

Neo conservatives see human as frail and insecure

Question 23

New Right view on society?

Answer 23

Neo conservatives wanted tougher law and order. they promote traditional family system. Oppose immigration

Neo liberal want people to be free exercising negative freedom

Question 24

New Right on state?

Answer 24

The neo conservatives take an anti permissive view on policies eg homosexuality.Neo conservatives persist there should be a strong state

Neo liberals argue that the state should be minimal. Neo liberal see the state as coercive - using threats. They want individuals to be free to make rational choices. They believe that the innovation of people would be suppressed with a state

Question 25

Hobbes believed the govt was necessary because man is by nature more individualistic than social. TRUE OR FALSE?

Answer 25

TRUE

Question 26

Define empiricism?

Answer 26

Empiricism- any changes or challenges should be dealt with practically and based on evidence and tradition

Question 27

Who believed that people should sign a social contract to establish political authority, surrendering all but their natural rights to the authority?

Answer 27

Hobbes

Question 28

Who believed that organic society s more important than its individual parts as it gives individual rootedness and belonging?

Answer 28

Burke

Question 29

Burke argued natural aristocracy should rule over society like a father did over his family (paternalism)? TRUE OR FALSE?

Answer 29

TRUE

Question 30

Name ways New Right is not a compete break from traditional conservatism?

Answer 30

- NR still emphasise the importance of the state in controlling law and order and being authoritative - NR still believe in traditional values that govern society- Judeo Christian morality - NR still champion the importance of property - NR still agree that human nature is self interested so needs a state to restrain it at times

Question 31

Does Oakeshott support organic society analogy?

Answer 31

Yes

Question 32

Nozick argues taxation is a form of slavery as the state gives others an entitlement to a part of the rewards of an individuals labour. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 32

TRUE

Question 33

Define what traditional conservatives mean by organic society?`

Answer 33

Society cannot be created but rather emerges organically like a living organism . Organic society = hierarchical with the elite having duties to maintain society's well being

Question 34

Define pragmatism and explain why the conservatives are divided over it?

Answer 34

TCs and ON are distrustful of rationalism so believe humans should be guided by pragmatism but Neo liberals have a positive view on human nature so prefer rationalism

Question 35

Name one agreement between Burke and Hobbes regarding humans?

Answer 35

Both ridiculed any idea that human nature was saintly or flawless

Question 36

Why did Hobbes argue there was a need for a social contract between the individual and the state?

Answer 36

So that we weren't in a state where life was nasty brutish and short

Question 37

What did ayn rand mean by the term objectivism?

Answer 37

no greater moral goal than achieving happiness. This is achieved through rational respect of reality. 4 objectives: - reality - reason - self interest - capitalism

Question 38

Why did Oakeshott claim that society merely aims to stay afloat in uncertain waters, rather than sail towards some specific destination?

Answer 38

conservatives will deal with today's society's issues in practical and evidential fashion, with no clear view how society might evolve in the years ad decades ahead

Question 39

What was Nozick's view of society?

Answer 39

Society should be geared by individual self fulfilment. This may lead to a plethora of small communities reflective their members diverse taste and philosophies

Question 40

Define anti permissiveness?

Answer 40

Want to rec verse much of the social liberalism eg: divorce, LGBT, abortion

Question 41

How did the New Right emerge?

Answer 41

Crisis in the 1970's with things like inflation, unemployment, increased crime rates society was becoming ungovernable