Inequality, Order, Hierarchy And Authority

Question 1

What is a humans most basic need?

Answer 1

Order and security

Question 2

What did Hobbes say?

Answer 2

On one hand individuals desire freedom and rights and on the other hand are competitive and self seeking

Question 3

What did Hobbes argue would happen if individuals’s desire for freedom, rights with their competitiveness and self serving nature would lead to?

Answer 3

An intolerable situation

Question 4

How did Hobbes argue life would be without authority?

Answer 4

Nasty brutish and short

Question 5

Why would life be nasty brutish and short?

Answer 5

People would consider themselves to be in competition with each other and live in fear of the results of society

Question 6

What did Hobbes believe that humans would do when faced with the dilemma of competitive society

Answer 6

Humans would choose to sacrifice much of their freedom and rights in favour of a secure existence

Question 7

What did Hobbes argue was the only way to ensure a secure existence?

Answer 7

To allow an absolute ruler to govern and protect us from each other

Question 8

Since Hobbes, what have conservative favoured?

Answer 8

Strong government

Question 9

Finish the sentence:

Conservatives favour the community’s need…

Answer 9

For security over individuals rights

Question 10

finish the sentence:

Until the 18th century, the idea of societal hierarchy was

Answer 10

Taken as natural and inevitable

Question 11

What happened in the 19th and 20th century?

Answer 11

Conservatives gradually modified their view of the natural structure of society

Question 12

Why did conservatives modify their view of the natural structure of society in the 19th and 20th century?

Answer 12

Society was more fluid than it had ever been and people had begun to see themselves as individuals rather than as members of a social class

Question 13

What had occurred by the 1980s?

Answer 13

Conservatives had abandoned views of hierarchisation society but kept the belief that individuals are unequal in terms of their abilities and potentialities

Question 14

What is social equality rejected as?

Answer 14

Undesireable and unachievable

Question 15

Why is social equality undesirable and unachievable?

Answer 15

Power, status and property are always unequally distributed

Question 16

What is inequality an inevitable feature of?

Answer 16

Organic society

Question 17

What did Burke embrace?

Answer 17

The “natural aristocracy”

Question 18

Define natural aristocracy

Answer 18

The idea that talent and leadership are innate qualities that cannot be acquired through effort or self-advancement

Question 19

What do each of the various classes and groups have?

Answer 19

Their own specific roles

Question 20

Why is genuine social equality a myth?

Answer 20

There is a natural inequality of wealth and social position, justified by a corresponding inequality of social responsibilities

Question 21

Finish the sentence:

Hierarchy and organicism have invested in traditional conservatism…

Answer 21

A pronounced tendency toward paternalism

Question 22

What is the belief in hierarchy strengthened by?

Answer 22

The conservative emphasis on authority

Question 23

Why is there a tension between liberalism and conservatism?

Answer 23

Conservatives do not accept the liberal belief that authority arises out of contracts made by free individuals

Question 24

How do conservatives believe that authority develops?

Answer 24

Naturally

Question 25

Why is authority necessary and beneficial?

Answer 25

Everyone needs the guidance, support and security that comes from knowing “where they stand” and what is expected of them

Question 26

What does authority counter?

Answer 26

Rootlessness and anomie

Question 27

What do conservatives put special emphasis on?

Answer 27

Leadership and discipline

Question 28

Why is leadership a vital ingredient in any society?

Answer 28

Because it is the capacity to give direction and provide inspiration for others

Question 29

Finish the sentence:

Discipline is not just:

Answer 29

Mindless obedience but a willing and healthy respect for authority

Question 30

Finish the sentence:

Conservatives believe authority should…

Answer 30

Be exercised within limits the natural responsibilities of authority entail