Conservative key thinkers Flashcards
Thomas Hobbes view of Human Nature
Needy, Vulnerable and destructive. Humans just want to acquire goods. Pessimistic and cynical view. Saw war as inevitable if humans weren’t controlled.
Edmund Burke view of Human Nature
Sceptical, saw gap between gap between aspirations and achievement, often impossible to bridge this gap. Humans were unable to achieve perfection more fail to succeed.
Micheal Oakshott view of Human Nature
Humans can achieve if they are free from aspiration, Fallible but not terrible. Their imperfection isn’t immoral and even if you can’t be perfect you can be happy. Always disappointed if you aim for perfection.
Ayn Rand view of Human Nature
Humans are guided by a rational self interest for self fulfilment = objectivism. Therefore they have great potential.
Robert Nozick view of human nature
Humans are egotistical and are on a quest of owning. The self is full of potential and people should be left alone. Very optimistic
Thomas Hobbes view of Society
The state creates society with its order and authority. This then allows society to progress. If there is no order, then there is no society due to human nature.
Edmund Burke view of Society
The state creates society with its order and authority. This then allows society to progress. If there is no order, then there is no society due to human nature.
Micheal Oakeshott view of Society
Local communities are vital but they must be guided by short term aims and not abstract ideas.
Ayn Rand view of Society
Society is atomistic which means it is a sum total of individuals. No restrictions of individuals should be allowed. Strong dislike of traditional views on society as a concept = society doesn’t exist, it’s just a loose collection of individuals.
Robert Nozick view of Society
Society should focus on individual self-fulfilment in a plethora of small communities. Individuals should be left alone = libertarianism. This would be a permissive society which lets you do anything and everything you want!
Thomas Hobbes view of Economy
The Economy cannot function without a state a bring order
Edmund Burke view of Economy
Favoured organic free markets which led to laissez-faire capitalism.
Michael Oakeshott view of Economy
Free markets are volatile and unpredictable. They may need pragmatic moderation by the state.
Ayn Rand view of Economy
Free market capitalism is objectivist so shouldn’t be hindered. Laissez-faire capitalism is how the economy should function.
Robert Nozick view of Economy
The state should gradually detach from a privatised and deregulated economy. The economy should un itself with the state simply arbitrating disputes. Viewed tax as theft.
Thomas Hobbes view of state
A state is contract of individuals who want order, The state must be autocratic and awesome to succeed. There will be chaos if there is no state,
Edmund Burke view of state
The state evolves organically like a plant and is autocratic. A hereditary elite should be reared to rule in the interests of all for there is no equality.
Michael Oakeshott view of state
The state must be guided by traditions and practical ideas. Pragmatism, not dogmatism is crucial. Trial, error and experience will create a state. The aim of a state is to stop the bad, not create the good. The state is like the captain of the ship (society) that should be kept afloat with no risks.
Ayn Rand view of state
Confined to law and order and national security. Positive liberty should not exist as the state must be minimal. Individuals are crucial, not government. Negative liberty will allow individuals to have the right to choose but the state is necessary as only law and order can guarantee liberty.
Robert Nozick view of state
Minarchist state where most aspects of governance are outsourced. All the state should do is renew and reallocate contracts for private companies. Anything more then individual freedom is harmed. Some basic authority needed to enforce laws
