Conservatism key thinkers

Question 1

Thomas Hobbes Human Nature

Answer 1

he had a negative view on human nature saying that humans are needy and vulnerable

Question 2

Thomas Hobbes The state

Answer 2

Hobbes wanted a strong government and to have a strong authoritative power

Question 3

Thomas Hobbes Society

Answer 3

freedom could only work with order and authority and people must also fear it.

Question 4

Thomas Hobbes The Economy

Answer 4

• Constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order & security.
• The economy can only exist through state protection and intervention.

Question 5

Edmund Burke Human Nature

Answer 5

Also believed that people were selfish and greedy and therefore needed strong authority and government to overlook them

Question 6

Edmund Burke The state

Answer 6

Change must be taken with great caution and thus we should follow tradition

Question 7

Edmund Burke Society

Answer 7

All the classes are like organs and all need each other to work harmony to work correctly and all benefit off of eachother. wanted an Organic society with no abrupt changes but rather natural adaptations

Question 8

Edmund Burke Economy

Answer 8

Free markets and laissez-faire.

Private property provides psychological security, a stake in society, moral well being and social cohesion.

Question 9

Michael Oakeshott Human Nature

Answer 9

we are naturally unequal and flawed and should be looked over but are still capable of central planning

Question 10

Michael Oakeshott The State

Answer 10

believed in pragmatism and thought that it works better than overcomplicating things with theories and ideologies

Question 11

Michael Oakeshott Society

Answer 11

wanted to see the rich help the poor and not have a divide
Tradition & pragmatism.
Modern society is both unpredictable and complex. People prefer the status quo of tradition.

Ensure society is stable by no radical changes - slow change only.

Question 12

Michael Oakeshott Economy

Answer 12

Keynesianism economic management techniques to maintain high employment
​​Free markets need to be moderated slightly, in order to keep society afloat.

Question 13

Ayn Rand Human nature

Answer 13

an individual should be free and responsible stating that unrestricted expression of human rationality was entirely compatible with the free market

Question 14

Ayn Rand the State

Answer 14

the state should not interfere or regulate an individual’s actions and rejected government welfare and wealth distribution plans

Question 15

Ayn Rand Society

Answer 15

people should pursue their own happiness as their highest moral aim and people should work hard to achieve a life of purpose and productiveness

Question 16

Ayn Rand Economy

Answer 16

laissez faire economics
This respects the individual’s rational pursuit of self-interest.

Question 17

Robert Nozick Human nature

Answer 17

humans are rational and self aware with their own free will

individuals in society cannot be treated as a thing or used against here will as a resource, individuals own their body’s talents abilities and labour

Question 18

Robert Nozick The State

Answer 18

wanted to have a minimal state and act as a nightwatchman

Question 19

Robert Nozick Society

Answer 19

ANTI social contract: this did not enforce freedom but restricts it.

Individual rights/freedoms are more important than societal obligations.

Anti organic society - seen as a threat to freedom.

Individualism: Individuals’ obligations are to themselves not society.

Question 20

Robert Nozick Economy

Answer 20

laissez faire economics
Opposes taxation for welfare state as it is a form of forced labour.
‘Illegitimate use of a state… to enrich some persons at the expense of others’

‘Taxation of earnings from labour is on a par with forced labour’.

The state should only be an arbiter between private companies.