Conservatism Flashcards
(25 cards)
What was Thomas Hobbes’ most famous work called? And when was it written?
Leviathan, 1651
How did Hobbes view human nature?
Pessimistic and cynical. Individuals are selfish and will hurt others for supremacy and security.
How did Hobbes view the state?
The state arises ‘contractually’ to provide order and security. The state must be autocratic and totalitarian.
How did Hobbes view society?
There is no society without the state, as life in the state of nature is ‘nasty, brutish, and short’
How did Hobbes view the economy?
Constructive economic activity is impossible without state intervention to provide order.
What was Burke’s most famous work? And when was it written?
Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)
What was Burke’s view on human nature?
Sceptical. ‘The crooked timber of humanity’ is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement.
What was Burke’s view on the state?
The state should be organic and aristocratic, with a hereditary elite who rule in the interests of all.
What was Burke’s view on society?
Society is organic and comprised of a host of small communities he called ‘little platoons’.
What was Burke’s view on the economy?
Trade should involve organic free markets and laissez-faire capitalism.
What was Michael Oakeshott’s most famous work? And when was it written?
On Being Conservative (1962)
How did Oakeshott view human nature?
Took a more optimistic view than previous thinkers; ‘fallible but not terrible’ and ‘imperfect but not immoral’.
How did Oakeshott view the state?
Pragmatism not dogmatism should guide the state
How did Oakeshott view society?
Localised communities focused on short term objectives are essential to humanity’s survival.
How did Oakeshott view the economy?
Free markets are volatile and unpredictable, pragmatic state intervention may be required.
What were Ayn Rand’s most famous works? And when were they written?
Atlas Shrugged (1957) and The Virtue of Selfishness (1964)
What was Rand’s view on human nature?
‘Objectivist’. Humans are guided by rational self-interest and the pursuit of self-fulfilment.
What was Rand’s view on the state?
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
What was Rand’s view on society?
Society is atomistic and the mere sum of its individuals.
What was Rand’s view on the economy?
Free market capitalism is an expression of ‘objectivist’ individualism and should not be regulated by the state.
What was Robert Nozick’s most famous work? And when was it written?
Anarchy, State and Utopia (1974)
How did Nozick view human nature?
Egotistical. Individuals are driven by a quest for ‘self-ownership’ and self fulfilment.
How did Nozick view the state?
The minarchist state should merely outsource contracts to private companies providing public services.
How did Nozick view society?
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
