Conservatism - State

Question 1

what do all Conservatives agree about the state?

Answer 1

state is a necessity of society

Question 2

why do Conservatives believe state in necessary?

Answer 2

due to their value of authority

Question 3

what do Conservatives think about authority?

Answer 3

• authority is an essential feature of the organic and hierarchical structure of society
• where ‘natural governors’ make key decision in common interest of whole society

Question 4

why does human nature mean a state is required?

Answer 4

• human nature is morally flawed

- only exercise of authority from above can prevent a descent into chaos

Question 5

how do Conservatives disagree over state?

Answer 5

disagree on strength of state

Question 6

what did Robert Nozick argue about the state?

Answer 6

only type of state that can be morally justified is a minimal or ‘nightwatchman state’

Question 7

what is a nightwatchman state like?

Answer 7

• state has limited powers

- powers necessary to protect people against violence, theft and fraud

Question 8

what was was Robert Nozick’s argument about how humans should be treated?

Answer 8

• humans should be treated ‘always as an end and never as a means only’
• means that since humans are rational, self aware being with free will, shouldn’t be treated as mere things

Question 9

what kind of state do Neo-Conservatives call for?

Answer 9

strong state with strict law and order

Question 10

for Neo-Conservatives, what it the solution to social instability and social disorder?

Answer 10

punitive discipline

Question 11

what kind of powers should the state have according to Neo-Conservatives?

Answer 11

increased police powers, tougher punishments and anti-permissive polices to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour

Question 12

why do Neo-Conservatives believe social authoritarianism is needed?

Answer 12

• since 1960s, authority and respect have declined in western nations
• leading to higher crime figures and increased rates of anti-social behaviour

Question 13

what role do One-Nation Conservatives proscribe for the state in the economy?

Answer 13

state intervention in economy

Question 14

for One-Nation Conservatives, what are interventionist techniques used to do?

Answer 14

maintain high employment levels, a mixed economy of private and public interest and state welfare programmes

Question 15

what kind of economic do One-Nation Conservatives adopt?

Answer 15

Keynesian economics - state saves money when economy is doing well and injects money when economy is struggling

Question 16

why do One-Nation Conservatives favour Keynesian economics?

Answer 16

to avoid the perceived drawbacks of a free minaret and to prevent social instability

Question 17

why do One-Nation Conservatives favour an interventionist approach?

Answer 17

due to commitment to concepts such as reform and noblesse oblige (social obligation)

Question 18

what would reforms to society mean?

Answer 18

reforms to improve conditions of poorest in society would reduce the likelihood of large-scale social discontent, preserving the position of the upper classes

Question 19

According to One-Nation Conservatives, what does the state have an obligation to do?

Answer 19

intervene in the economy and maintain the welfare state to combat poverty and deprivation

Question 20

what do New Right Conservatives advocate for the economy?

Answer 20

laissez faire capitalism

Question 21

what do New Right Conservatives believe the economy should allow?

Answer 21

equality of opportunity - allowing individuals to rise or fall based on individual with no help or hinderance from the state

Question 22

what do New Right Conservatives believe a free market is the best mechanism to do?

Answer 22

best mechanisms to meet consumer demand, maximise resources and generate prosperity

Question 23

what do New Right Conservatives believe laissez-faire economy promotes?

Answer 23

promotes economic well being in that it is self regulating

Question 24

what did Ayn Rand call for?

Answer 24

‘full, pure, uncontrolled, unregulated laissez-faire economy ‘