Conservatism key thinkers Flashcards
Thomas Hobbes Birth and death
1588
1679
Thomas Hobbes view of Human Nature
Cynical: individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security.
Thomas Hobbes view on the state
The State arises ‘contractually’ from individuals who seek order and security. to serve its purpose, the state must be autocratic and awesome
Thomas Hobbes view on society
There can be no ‘society’ until the creation of a state brings order and authority to human affairs. Life until then in ‘nasty, brutish and short’
Thomas Hobbes view on the economy
Constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order and security
Edmund Burke Birth and death
1729
1797
Edmund Burke view of Human Nature
Sceptical: the ‘crooked timber of humanity’ is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement. we may conceive of perfection but we are unable to achieve it.
Edmund Burke view on the state
The state arises organically and should be aristocratic, driven by a hereditary elite, reared to rule in the interests of all.
Edmund Burke view on society
society is organic and multi-faceted, comprising a host of small communities and organisations (‘little platoons’)
Edmund Burke view on the economy
Trade should involve ‘organic’ free markets and laissez-faire capitalism
Michael Oakeshott birth and death
1901
1990
Michael Oakeshott view on human nature
modest: humanity is at its best when free from grand designs and when focused on the routines of everyday life
Michael Oakeshott view on the state
the state should be guided by tradition and practical concerns. pragmatism, not dogmatism, should be its watchword
Michael Oakeshott view on society
Localised communities are essential to humanity’s survival, especially when guided by short-term requirements rather than abstract ideas
Michael Oakeshott view on the Economy
Free markets are volatile and unpredictable, and may require pragmatic moderation by the state
Ayn Rand birth and death
1905
1982
Ayn Rand view on human nature
‘Objectivist’: we are - and ought to be - guided by rational self-interests and the pursuit of self fulfilment
Ayn Rand view on the state
the state should confine itself to law, order and national security. any attempt to promote ‘positive liberty’ via further state intervention should be resisted
Ayn Rand view on tsociety
in so far as it exists at all, society is atomistic: the mere sum total of its individuals. any attempt to restrict individuals in the name of society should be challenged
Ayn Rand view on the economy
free-market capitalism is an expression of ‘objectivist’ individualism and should not be hindered by the state
Robert Nozick birth and death
1938
2002
Robert Nozick view on Human nature
Egotistical: individuals are driven by a quest for ‘self-ownership’, allowing them to realise their full potientail.
Robert Nozick view on the state
the minarchist state should merely outsource, renew and reallocate contracts to private companies providing public services
Robert Nozick view on society
society should be geared to individual self fulfilment. this may lead to a plethora of small, variable communities reflecting their members’ diverse tastes and philosophies
Robert Nozick view on the economy
The minarchists state should detach itself from a privatised and deregulated economy, merely arbitrating disputes between private economic organisations
Thomas Hobbes book
Leviathan 1651
Edmund Burke Book
Reflections on the revolutions in France 1790
Michael Oakeshott book
On being conservative 1962
Ayn Rand book
Atlas Shrugged 1957
Robert Nozick book
The road to serfdom 1944
main 2 types of conservatism
Traditional
New right
Traditional VS New Right - Human nature
Traditional - sceptical view of human nature, warning against the grand, utopian schemes of progressive politicians.
New Right - more optimistic view, possibilities of individuals with initiative and liberty, individuals can achieve in the economic sphere, human potential lies in fostering a pro-capitalist environment
Traditional VS New Right - society
Traditional - as a collection of small communities ‘little platoons’ by a hierarchical structurer in which ‘paternalistic’ elites exercise their inherited power
New right - are more sceptical about paternalistic communities, preferring a society defined by those who have achieved rather than inherited power, status and property (meritocratic over aristocratic)
Traditional VS New Right - The state
Traditional - defend a state where political power is wielded by those who are ‘born to rule’ believing there is a ‘ruling class’ with the principles of duty and sacrificed instilled with a sense of responsibility towards the governed
New right - wish to ‘roll back the frontiers of the state’ so as to advances individual freedom and reserve the dependency culture, hostile to the principle of aristocratic rule, fear that the ruling classes have too much stake in the status quo and are therefore reluctant to admit the need for radical change by new right governments
Traditional VS New Right - Economy
Traditional - defend economy based on private ownership are sceptical about free - market capitalism, it threatens ‘one nation’ and free markets fuel support for socialism
New right - advocate free market economies where state spending, state funding ids deregulated and privatised, and where levels of taxation and state spending are significantly reduced
