Conservatism agreements and disagreements

Question 1

The state - agreement

Answer 1

Agreement over the need for authority from the state (leviathan). Human nature must be constrained. Changing to conserve / empiricism.​

One nation: patrician view of state.​

Neo-conservatives want strong state (law & order)​

Even neoliberals believe that a state is necessary.

Question 2

The state - disagreement

Answer 2

They disagree over the role of the state​

Neoliberals – ‘rolling back the frontiers of the state’. Minarchist state (NOZICK) – nightwatchman state.​ - minimal

Hobbes – Leviathan state - powerful state, impose order, no society without a state

Question 3

The economy - agreement

Answer 3

Belief in capitalism, benefits of a free market. ​

Traditional and one nation are reluctant supporters of capitalism

Question 4

The economy - disagreement

Answer 4

Nuanced support of capitalism: ​

Traditional conservatives are reluctant supporters of moderate capitalism. One nation – state intervention – pragmatic moderation is necessary (Oakeshott)​

New right – enthusiastic supporters of free market economy (Nozick – taxation is on a par with forced labour)

Question 5

Human nature - agreement

Answer 5

Broad cohesion on beliefs of individualism and the self interested nature of human beings. ​

General belief in Human imperfection / pessimistic/ irrational /the world being too complex for humans to understand

Question 6

Human nature - disagreement

Answer 6

Extent of pessimimism….​

Hobbes – life is ‘nasty, brutish & short’. Ruthless individualism. ​

Burke – humans were naturally communal (little platoons).​

Oakeshott – humans are fallible, but not terrible.​

More positive view from neo-liberals (emphasis on reason / principle). Nozick - freedom loving pack animals.​

Atomistic individualism (Rand) – humans are not limited or dependent on others.

Question 7

Society - agreement

Answer 7

Organic/ localism/ tradition / hierarchy / partnership between the living, those who are dead and those who are yet to be born / respect for property. These themes are shared by all strands.Extent argued over..​

Burke= little platoons.​

Neo-liberal atomistic individualism – no need for society. Rugged individualism.

Question 8

Society - disagreement

Answer 8

Extent argued over..​

Burke= little platoons.​

Neo-liberal atomistic individualism – no need for society. Rugged individualism.