Conservatism

Question 1

What was Thomas Hobbes’ most famous work called? And when was it written?

Answer 1

Leviathan, 1651

Question 2

How did Hobbes view human nature?

Answer 2

Pessimistic and cynical. Individuals are selfish and will hurt others for supremacy and security.

Question 3

How did Hobbes view the state?

Answer 3

The state arises ‘contractually’ to provide order and security. The state must be autocratic and totalitarian.

Question 4

How did Hobbes view society?

Answer 4

There is no society without the state, as life in the state of nature is ‘nasty, brutish, and short’

Question 5

How did Hobbes view the economy?

Answer 5

Constructive economic activity is impossible without state intervention to provide order.

Question 6

What was Burke’s most famous work? And when was it written?

Answer 6

Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)

Question 7

What was Burke’s view on human nature?

Answer 7

Sceptical. ‘The crooked timber of humanity’ is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement.

Question 8

What was Burke’s view on the state?

Answer 8

The state should be organic and aristocratic, with a hereditary elite who rule in the interests of all.

Question 9

What was Burke’s view on society?

Answer 9

Society is organic and comprised of a host of small communities he called ‘little platoons’.

Question 10

What was Burke’s view on the economy?

Answer 10

Trade should involve organic free markets and laissez-faire capitalism.

Question 11

What was Michael Oakeshott’s most famous work? And when was it written?

Answer 11

On Being Conservative (1962)

Question 12

How did Oakeshott view human nature?

Answer 12

Took a more optimistic view than previous thinkers; ‘fallible but not terrible’ and ‘imperfect but not immoral’.

Question 13

How did Oakeshott view the state?

Answer 13

Pragmatism not dogmatism should guide the state

Question 14

How did Oakeshott view society?

Answer 14

Localised communities focused on short term objectives are essential to humanity’s survival.

Question 15

How did Oakeshott view the economy?

Answer 15

Free markets are volatile and unpredictable, pragmatic state intervention may be required.

Question 16

What were Ayn Rand’s most famous works? And when were they written?

Answer 16

Atlas Shrugged (1957) and The Virtue of Selfishness (1964)

Question 17

What was Rand’s view on human nature?

Answer 17

‘Objectivist’. Humans are guided by rational self-interest and the pursuit of self-fulfilment.

Question 18

What was Rand’s view on the state?

Answer 18

The state should be a ‘night watchman’ only focusing on security. ‘Rolling back the frontiers of the state’ in the economic sphere to promote laissez-faire capitalism

Question 19

What was Rand’s view on society?

Answer 19

Society is atomistic and the mere sum of its individuals.

Question 20

What was Rand’s view on the economy?

Answer 20

Free market capitalism is an expression of ‘objectivist’ individualism and should not be regulated by the state.

Question 21

What was Robert Nozick’s most famous work? And when was it written?

Answer 21

Anarchy, State and Utopia (1974)

Question 22

How did Nozick view human nature?

Answer 22

Egotistical. Individuals are driven by a quest for ‘self-ownership’ and self fulfilment.

Question 23

How did Nozick view the state?

Answer 23

The minarchist state should merely outsource contracts to private companies providing public services.

Question 24

How did Nozick view society?

Answer 24

Society should be focused on individual self-fulfilment and therefore small communities reflecting the views of the their individuals should form the cornerstone of society

Question 25

How did Nozick view the economy?

Answer 25

The economy should be privatised and deregulated, with the state only stepping in to arbitrate disputes between private organisations.