Michael Oakeshott

Question 1

Background/Book

Answer 1

• Brought a fresh perspective to traditional conservatism
• ‘On being conservative’ (1962)

Question 2

HN

Answer 2

• Modest. Humanity is at its best when focused on the routines of everyday life rather than abstract ideas
• Humans are imperfect but not immoral. While capable of achieving improvement and pleasure they cannot achieve perfection

Question 3

Society

Answer 3

• Localised communities are essential to humanities survival when guided by short-term goals
• Oakeshott firmly rejected the notion of trying to reform society and human nature itself by political action, arguing that traditions and social customs appealed because they reflected people as they were

Question 4

The state

Answer 4

• The state should be guided by tradition, with reservations about radical change. Pragmatic, not dogmatic
• Argued for a pragmatic and cautious approach to politics. The evolutionary tradition of British parliamentary democracy, reformed by incremental changes have avoided revolutionary errors

Question 5

Economy

Answer 5

Free markets are volatile and unpredictable and may require pragmatic moderation by the state.