Conservatism - Topic 3 Flashcards
The key ideas from key conservative thinkers
1
Q
What were the views of Thomas Hobbes?
On human nature, the state, the economy and society
Traditional Conservative
A
Human nature
- Extremely negative: selfish humans are individualistically driven by self-interest
The state
- The state arises from a ‘social contract’ between sovereign and subjects. Subjects cede freedoms to an autocratic monarchy to guarantee the rule of law and to avoid a ‘state of war’
The economy
- Economic activity is possible only after the creatin of the state. The sovereign brings order and authority, allowing the economy to develop
Society
- Society did not exist before the creation of the state. The sovereign brings order and authority. Before the creation of the state, life was ‘nasty, brutish and short’.
2
Q
What were the views of Edmund Burke?
On human nature, the state, the economy and society
Traditional Conservative
A
Human nature
- Somewhat negative: humans are morally and intellectually fallible
The state
- The state emerges and grows like an organism. Hierarchical in nature, the hereditary elitres rule with paternal noblesse oblige for the interests of all. The state should ‘change to conserve’ society guided by empiricism
The economy
- The free market is the natural organic state of the market and the state should protect laissez-faire capitalism
Society
- Society is like a multifaceted organism. Communities, traditions, customs, etc. have a symbiotic relationship
3
Q
What were the views of Michael Oakenshott?
On human nature, the state, the economy and society
Traditional Conservative
A
Human nature
- Somewhat negative: focused on intellectual imperfection. Decisions should be grounded in empiricism, not rationalism
The state
- The state should be guided by tradition and experience. Sceptical of rationalist state action. Change, if it must occur, should be guided by pragmatism and empiricism
The economy
- The free market is the natural state of the market. State involvement should be limited to pragmatic moderation. State management or economic policies underpinned by rationalism should be avoided because of intellectual imperfection
Society
- Society is like a multifaceted organism. Communities, tradtions, customs, etc. have a symbiotic relationship
4
Q
What were the views of Ayn Rand?
On human nature, the state, the economy and society
Neo-liberal
A
Human nature
- Positive: humans are capable of rational though and should be ‘objectivist’ in pursuing self-interest
The state
- The state should play a minimal role in the life of the individual. The state should secure a free market, law and order, and national security
The economy
- Free market capitalism with no state intervention and a privatised deregulated economy
Society
- Society pursues atomistic individualism. A collection of autonomous individuals motivated by self-fulfilment. These individuals resist state or societal obligations as they restrict individual freedom. No welfare state
5
Q
What were the views of Robert Nozick?
On human nature, the state, the economy and society
Neo-liberal
A
Human nature
- Positive: individuals are rational and driven by the idea of self-ownership of their talent, abilities and labour
The state
- A minarchist state: the state should be limited to law and order, enforcement of contract and defence of the realm
The economy
- A minarchist state will be one of free-market capitalism with a privatised and deregulated economy
Society
- Society is essentially atomistic. A collection of autonomous individuals with libertarian values. These individuals resist state or societal obligations as they restrict individual freedom. No welfare state
