To what extent do conservatives agree and disagree on human nature? Flashcards
What dominates traditional conservative understanding of human nature?
The ideas of Hobbes, Burke, and Oakeshott, which suggest that humans are morally, intellectually, and psychologically imperfect.
What was Hobbes’ view on human nature?
Hobbes believed that humans are individualistically driven and rational enough to recognize the need for an absolute monarch to enforce order.
How do Burke and Oakeshott view human nature?
They view humans as communal creatures and see society as organic due to the rational and psychological fragility of human nature.
What influence does Burke’s belief in intellectual imperfection have?
It influences traditional conservatives’ approach to statecraft, favoring empiricism and pragmatism over the abstract principles of classical liberalism.
What is a characteristic of early one-nation conservatives?
Similar to traditional conservatives in their understanding of human nature and preference for pragmatism and organic society
How do later one-nation conservatives differ from early one-nation conservatives?
They are more open to rationalistic ideas
Name a few one-nation conservative prime ministers.
- Macmillan
- Johnson
What type of policies have successive one-nation conservative prime ministers adopted?
Rationalistic-inspired policies such as Keynesian economics
Fill in the blank: Early one-nation conservatives prefer _______.
[pragmatism and organic society]
True or False: Later one-nation conservatives completely reject rationalistic ideas.
False
What do neo-conservatives believe about human nature?
Neo-conservatives believe in a Hobbesian view of moral imperfection and advocate tough law and order to maintain societal stability.
What is the neo-conservative conclusion regarding the state?
Their understanding of human nature leads them to conclude that the state is required to ensure an organic society.
How do neo-conservatives view rationalism?
Neo-conservatives are open to rationalism and state-management.
What reforms have neo-conservative governments in the UK and USA undertaken?
Neo-conservative governments in the UK and the USA have embarked on rationally inspired welfare and education reforms.
What is the neo-liberal view of human nature compared to other branches of conservatism?
Neo-liberals have a much more optimistic view of human nature than the other branches of conservatism.
How do neo-liberals interpret human nature in relation to Hobbes?
Neo-liberals see human nature in similar terms to Hobbes, viewing people as autonomous individuals.
What is the key difference between Hobbes’ view and the neo-liberal view of human nature?
Unlike Hobbes, neo-liberals have a positive view of human nature, arguing that humans are rational and motivated to pursue their own self-interests.
What does the neo-liberal interpretation of human nature imply about individual loyalty?
It means that an individual’s first loyalty is to their personal happiness within an atomistic society.
What do neo-liberals prefer over traditional conservatism’s approach?
Neo-liberals prefer scientific fact and logic to the empiricism and pragmatism of traditional conservatism.
