State

Question 1

What is a state?

Answer 1

A state is a body that typically rules over a country. Examples of this include modern day democratic governments, but include monarchical reigns throughout history.

Question 2

What key themes surround the state?

Answer 2

• Function
• Power
• Composition

Question 3

What do all Conservatives believe about the function of the state?

Answer 3

The state should have some function in a country, especially concerning law and order.

However they disagree on how active the function of the state should be.

Question 4

What do Traditional Conservatives believe about the function of the state?

Answer 4

It should be highly active - idea of paternalism and looking after the people.

Question 5

What does Thomas Hobbes believe about the function of the state?

Answer 5

It should be highly active, to create order and security under the idea of a social contract.

It should protect its people - paternalism.

Question 6

What does Edmund Burke believe about the function of the state?

Answer 6

The state is “a partnership between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born”. This means that the state has an everlasting active function in people’s lives.

He also believed that traditional institutions should remain, such as the church, and have an active function.

Question 7

What do New Right Conservatives believe about the function of the state?

Answer 7

It should have less of an active function, but there are disagreements on how much less active the state should be.

Question 8

What does Robert Nozick believe about the function of the state?

Answer 8

Should be concerned with enforcement on contracts, and protection against theft.

Question 9

What does Ayn Rand believe about the function of the state?

Answer 9

Creates law and order, promoting individualism.

Significantly less active function, and slightly less than Nozick.

Question 10

What do all Conservatives believe about the power of the state?

Answer 10

The state should have some degree of power, in order to exist.

Question 11

What do Traditional Conservatives believe about the power of the state?

Answer 11

State should be large, with the power to rule over and look after its people.

Question 12

What does Thomas Hobbes believe about the power of the state?

Answer 12

In order for the state to be effective, it has to be strong and intimidating.

Must be this way to prevent power struggles.

Question 13

What does Edmund Burke believe about the power of the state?

Answer 13

Hereditary elite, reared to rule for all.

Must have power over its people.

Question 14

What does Michael Oakeshott believe about the power of the state?

Answer 14

The state should be relatively powerful, in order to “keep the ship afloat”.

Question 15

What do New Right Conservatives believe about the power of the state?

Answer 15

State should have less powerful, over time ideas of power have become less prominent, government dosen’t control a major part of our lives anymore. Democracy etc.

Rand still believes in a slightly strong state, but Nozick’s more moderate views reflect the majority of New Right on the power of the state.

Question 16

What does Ayn Rand believe about the power of the state?

Answer 16

The state should be less powerful, as the “small state is the strong state”.

Idea of “rolling back the frontiers” - atomism.

Question 17

What does Robert Nozick believe about the power of the state?

Answer 17

Minimal state (“minarchy”) - night-watchman state.

Growth of the government is the greatest threat to individual freedom.

Question 18

What do all Conservatives believe about the composition of the state?

Answer 18

Generally believe that there should be a ruling of a state, be it a aristocratic or democratic state.

However, crucially disagree over which of these options should exist.

Question 19

What do Traditional Conservatives believe about the composition of the state?

Answer 19

Originally, Hobbes and Burke argued for the rule of a monarch.

Hobbes argued from the rule of a king - Leviathan.

Burke believed the state should be driven by a hereditary elite, which incorporates the monarchy and the church.

However, modern day Traditional Conservatives believe in a democratic system with a constitutional monarchy, as it would be impossible to agree otherwise.

Question 20

What do One Nation and New Right Conservatives believe about the composition of the state?

Answer 20

The state should be a democratic government, with power to the people. This is due to them being born following the breakup of monarchical rule, with all allowing for a constitutional monarchy.