Conservative Key Thinkers Flashcards
1
Q
Why did Hobbes believe in a strong state
A
- freedom without order and authority would lead to disastrous consequences for society
- Without, humans would exhibit a “restless desire for power”, leading to conflict and unrest
2
Q
Hobbes view of human nature
A
- Humans are needy and vulnerable
- capacity to reason is fragile
3
Q
Why did Hobbes believe people would submit to a strong government
A
- Self-interested and rational people would choose to sacrifice many of their rights s in return for order (submit to the absolute authority of the state)
- Total obedience to absolute government
4
Q
Main ideas of Edmund Burke (4)
A
- Tradition
- Organic view of society
- Empiricism / pragmatism
- Gradual change
5
Q
What did Burke believe tradition and empiricism promotes?
A
- Social continuity and stability
- strong sense of historical identity
6
Q
Main beliefs of Oakeshott
A
- Pragmatism
- Tradition
- Organic view of society
7
Q
Key ideas of Ayn Rand
A
- Objectivism
- Rolling back the state in the economy
- Atomism
- Optimistic view of human nature
8
Q
Key ideas of Nozick (4)
A
-Atomism
-Optimistic view of Human Nature
-Minimal or ‘night watchman’ state
-self-ownership
9
Q
Burke view of the social reform
A
Reform should be limited and cautious, based on tradition and empiricism
10
Q
Oakeshott view on pragmitism
A
- can deliver best interests and bring social stability and cohesion
- is flexible
11
Q
Oakeshott views on rationalism (3)
A
- Rejects rationalist policies
- Believes they lead to destruction
- creation of a new political and social order
12
Q
Ayn Rand view of objectivism (3)
A
- advocates the virtues of rational self-interests
- rational pursuit of self-interest
- altruism bad because created an artificial sense of ‘social obligation’
13
Q
Why did Ayn Rand reject government welfare
A
- believed it relied on the implicit threat of force to ensure that people contribute to such schemes through taxation
14
Q
What did Robert Nozick believe about humans
A
Rations, self-aware beings
15
Q
Why did Robert Nozick believe that taxes are immoral (2)
A
- Type of forced labour imposed by the state
- treat individuals as a means to further the goals of equality
