human naturet Flashcards
what is the traditional conservative view point on human nature
-humanity is naturally flawed and selfish
-human nature cannot be changed, only regulated by the state
where does the traditional conservative view point on human nature come from?
-empiricism; focusing on what has been seen during periods of lawlessness (such as the french revolution or english civil war)
-religious ideas of original sin
how does the traditional conservative view point on human nature influence trad. cons. policy?
-opposing to radical, human-led change, as this is done for selfish reasons
-Tradition is needed to create a natural moral order for all to follow to negate the worst parts of human nature
how does hobbes help explain the traditional conservative view of human nature
Leviathan 1651
people are selfish but also reasonable
they are reasonable so will agree to a social contract for protection from other’s selfish behaviour (i can’t kill people, but other people can’t kill me - reasonable exchange of rights)
importance of the state of nature - nasty, brutish and short
what criticisms are there of the conservative traditional view of human nature
-Contradicts itself; if it advocates for one leader, is that leader also not susceptible to human selfishness and immoralism?
-Neglects potential improvement
-Emphasis on authority and institution limits personal freedom
what is the post war consensus conservative view of human nature
-human nature remains inherently flawed and selfish
-however, due to the war humanity was recognised as equally and universally vulnerable
-people became optimistic about improvement
what were the implications of the post-war view of human nature
-if everyone is equally vulnerable, everyone deserves equal healthcare -NHS
-Advocated for education to keep everyone responsible and improve their morals
-Still focussed on tradition to enforce moral order
How does beveridge’s ideas link in with post-war conservatism?
beveridge wrote the beveridge report
All humans are susceptible to other’s selfishness which can lead to poverty and the such
State can prevent this side effect of people’s selfishness, as it has always sworn to do
This led to the creation of the welfare state.
what criticisms exist of the post-war consensus view point on human nature?
-it’s highly interventionist and means increased taxes - this goes against people keeping their earnings and stifles innovation
-led to social discontent such as the winter of discontent
-overreliance on institutions limits the importance of autonomy and personal decisions
what is the new right perspective on human nature?
combination of:
-conservative pessimism of human behaviour
-liberal optimism of potential
-liberal rationality
how does the liberal side of the new right’s view on human nature influence policy
market deregulation
humans have natural innovative and indivualstic side
this cannot flourish under public ownership
humans are rational enough to have competition
how does the conservative side of new right human nature influence policy
-strong law and order to discourage people to give in to selfish desire
-punishment over rehabilitation
-promotion of traditional values to encourage moral order to enforce stability and social cohesion
how does margaret thatcher’s views support the analysis of the new right human nature
she reduced state intervention to encourage innovation and enterprise
Embraced free market capitalism and privatisation
Anti-permissive society - section 28 prohibiting homo from being pushed in schools
criticisms of new right human nature?
-laissez faire capitalism leads to intense inequality if not regulated by the state
-autocratic governance on identity and tradition leads to infringement on personal liberties
