Conservatism

• Thomas Hobbes 1588-1679

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  Wrote Leviathan [1651] which outlined a strong absolutist government

  • held a pessimistic view on human nature as they are unreliable and power-seeking
  • rule of any kind is better than no rule
• Edmund Burke 1729-1797

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society 


  writing after the revolution, reflections on the revolution in France [1790] Burke was critical of change. this pragmatic view shaped and founded modern conservatism

  • held a gloomy view of human nature
  • belief in example, 'wisdom comes from history'
  • promotes respect for tradition and deters from change in a critique of the French Revolution
• Micheal Oakeshott 1901-90

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  A proponent of 'the new right' especially in regards to individualism

  • adopted a pragmatic non-ideological approach
  • treated government as a means to ends for individuals
  • traditional views on family and society
• Ayn Rand - 1905-82

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  Wrote Foutainhead [1943] & Atlas shrugged [1957] both are fiction works which explore society, property rights and individualism

  • Happiness is the highest moral aim
  • we must work hard to achieve our purpose
  • belief in a laizez-fairre capitalist economy
  • by limiting ability we have corrupted peoples capacity
• Robert Nozick - 1938-2002

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  Large proponent of individualism and upholding people's worth

  • didn't agree with taxes as they are using people for a resource
  • support for a maximally limited state, as people have self-interest
  • against a welfare state
  • people own their own bodies and talents
• 'if any civilisation is to survive, it is the morality of altruism that men have to reject' - rand
• 'the man of conservative temperament believes that a known good is not lightly to be surrendered for an unknown better' Oakeshott
• 'society is but a contract between the dead, the living, and those yet to be born' Burke
• 'the condition of man... is a condition of war of everyone against everyone' - Hobbes
• 'no state more extreme than the minimal state can be justified' Nozick