Conservatism - Human Nature

• Conservatism views human nature as flawed and immutable, believing that humans are selfish, greedy, and capable of evil
• All anti-social and criminal behaviors are seen as simply human nature, requiring strong law and order to keep them in check
• Traditionally rooted in the Christian notion of original sin, conservatism holds that humans are capable of good if religion guides them
• One nation conservatives like Disraeli recognized that crime could have social and economic causes, aiming to prevent it through paternalism and noblesse oblige
• Michael Oakeshott argued that humans are fragile and fallible but can be good if guided by routine and religion
• Conservatism emphasizes the importance of tradition and practical thinking, believing that the wisdom of the past inspires the present and informs the future
• Continuity and history are crucial in conservatism to avoid chaos and disorder, dismissing ideas that aim to improve the world in favor of caution and traditional wisdom
• Examples of ideas that attempt an ideal world: Liberalism, socialism, communism, multiculturalism, universal human rights, and equality.
• Conservatives do not necessarily oppose ideas like female equality; instead, they argue that it should come about through moderate reform
• Psychological imperfection: Humans are not rational beings; they crave security, safety, guidance, and a sense of their place within a dependent society
• The cynical view is that giving people liberty leads to uncertainty, so order must come first for true freedom to exist
• The New Right views humans as rational and sees greed and selfishness as positive traits, aligning with their core beliefs in capitalism and property ownership
• Robert Nozick argued that property is a sign of meritocracy and hard work, and political systems should promote self-interest
• The New Right blamed generous welfare for making people lazy and permissiveness in the 1960s for a breakdown of law and order, advocating for tough justice
• Thomas Hobbes, a key figure in authoritarian conservative thinking, accepted the Social Contract but emphasized the need for strict authority