The State Flashcards
What do conservatives believe the main purpose of a state is?
To provide order, dicipline and stability
What did Hobbes and Conservatives believe about the state?
Without order (provided by the state through laws) there could be no liberty Links with Conservative belief that the State preceds Society
How do Liberalism (and Socialism) and Conservatism differ on views of the state?
Liberals and Socialists believe that society preceeds the state and that there are ‘natural rights’
onservatives argue the State preceds Society and that there are no ‘natural rights’ as there needs to be a state to provide those rights (by protecting them with laws)
What do conservatives believe about the origins of the state?
They believe a state should emerge gradually and organically in response to peoples needs
What do conservatives believe about constitutions?
Codified constitutions restrict the ability for a state to evolve over time
How do Liberals and Conservatives views on the origin of the state differ?
Liberals argue for a ‘government by consent’ and for a government that has a contract with the people, also a for a state that is ‘created’
Conservatives argue for a slow and gradual creation and changing state
How do Conservatives view democracy?
They see a ruling class that comes from a hereditary and aristocratic background that were born to rule as benefical to lead society, rather than a democratic one
Why is the nation state important to Conservatives?
A nation state is a mega-community, this is especially important for european conservatives in Germany and Italy where they see the nation preceding the state
How do British and American Conservatives differ from European conservatives on views of the nation and the state?
British and American Conservatives see the nation and the state as intertwined with the state defining the nation, thas why they see the structure of the state (like the US constitution or the monarchy) as an important expression of the state
