Conservatism; thinkers

Question 1

Thomas Hobbes

Answer 1

TRADITIONAL CONSERVATISM
Sceptical of human nature; individuals are governed by self-interest; not wholly irrational.
Asserted that there was no cooperation or voluntary arrangements between individuals and therefore none of the ‘natural right’ cited by liberals before the state.
‘Natural chaos’—the absence of formal authority; mankind is left to decide what is acceptable or unacceptable, but each person’s standards would be different, resulting in chaos.
Eventually, human rationale would dictate a contract to be formed, where an authority figure is implemented.

Question 2

Micheal Oakeshott

Answer 2

TRADITIONAL CONSERVATISM
Argued people were ‘fallible, but not terrible’ and ‘imperfect, but not immoral’; humanity is still able to achieve happiness through everyday life.
A more optimistic view of conservatism.
Asserted that conservatives ‘prefer the familiar to the unknown; the actual to the possible; the convenient to the perfect […] present laughter to utopian bliss.’
Argued the state existed to ‘prevent the bad rather than create the good’.