Traditional Conservatism

Question 1

what is Hobbes ‘state of nature’?

Answer 1

society before state and law was a fearful and violent place, and that people would need protection

Question 2

what is empiricism?

Answer 2

the idea that when change is made, it must be inspired from past experience

Question 3

what is rationalism?

Answer 3

when change is made from abstract ideas

example: MacMillian adopting Keynesian economics rather than sticking to tradition

Question 4

what was Hobbes, Burkes and Oakeshotts view on human imperfection?

Answer 4

HOBBES: humans are imperfect and ruthlessly self interested
BURKE: agrees with Hobbes but to less of an extent, believes humans are imperfect but also that they are not ruthlessly individualistic
OAKESHOTT: humans are ‘fragile and fallible’ but they are capable of benevolence

Question 5

Hobbes view on the state

Answer 5

the state should have a social contract with people, and we need an absolute monarch to guarantee rule of law

Question 6

Burkes view on the state

Answer 6

• the state should ‘change to conserve’
• we are made up of ‘little platoons’
• society is organic, and guided by empiricism
• organic society is hierarchal

Question 7

Oakeshott’s view on the state

Answer 7

-change should be guided by empiricism and pragmatism, and the state should only go off experience

Question 8

what is Burkes idea oF ‘little platoons’?

Answer 8

localised communities that retain their identity and these communities are bonded by affection and give structure to their lives

Question 9

what is Burkes ‘change to conserve?’

Answer 9

the idea that society should adapt/evolve shifting circumstances by making small changes. if society doesn’t change, there is a risk of rebellion (French Revolution)

Question 10

what is noblesse oblige?

Answer 10

it is when the more fortunate/wealthy have the duty to help those who are less fortunate in society

Question 11

what is pragmatism?

Answer 11

evaluating theories based on the past, inspired by empiricism

Question 12

what is paternalism?

Answer 12

society being made up fo a natural hierarchy, and this consists of noblesse oblige

Question 13

what is tradition?

Answer 13

having trust in past values that underpin society and passing these beliefs onto generations.

Question 14

how does pragmatism work in practice?

Answer 14

Great Reform Act- middle class men could now vote 
Artisan Dwellings Act: slum clearance, turning low income areas and making them better

Question 15

how does paternalism work in practice?

Answer 15

new social reforms aimed to help the poorest in society in order to ‘change to conserve’

Question 16

how does tradition work in practice?

Answer 16

there is no direct way, but it can be seen through universities and monarchies and the values they practice.

Question 17

what is a natural hierarchy?

Answer 17

the idea that society is made up of a hierarchal rank that is unequal

Question 18

what different political thinkers think should lead the hierarchal rank:

Answer 18

Burke: aristocracy (wealth) should lead as they are wiser and stronger
Hobbes: society should be rules by an absolute monarch
Oakeshott: tradition should be conserved, and House of Lords and Electoral College should remain as they are