Conservatism - Ideologies

• Who is known as the 'Father of Conservatism'?

  Edmund Burke.
• What is the name of Edmund Burke's key work and what did this include?

  > 'Reflections on the Revolution in France' (1790).

  > Showed his opposition towards the French Revolution and how he thought it would quickly turn into a parade of tyrants.
• What did Edmund Burke believe about human nature?

  > Human imperfection - mankind is fallible and fails more than it succeeds - French revolution emphasised an idealistic society which is unrealistic and utopian.

  > Public are unqualified to exercise power.

  > "Crooked timber of humanity" - the gap between aspiration and achievement.
• What did Edmund Burke believe about the state?


  > The amount of damage a single tyrant could do is limited; a tyrannical majority can do unlimited harm.

  > The state arises organically and should be aristocratic (ruling class governing in the interests of all).
• What did Edmund Burke believe about society?

  > Society is more of a plant than a machine - change must be cautious and organic.

  > Condemned the French for their centralised structure.

  > Society consists of 'little platoons' - small groups that are diverse and loyal to their own interests.
• What did Edmund Burke believe about the economy?


  > Laissez faire - no government intervention.

  > Largely agreed with Adam Smith

  > Believed in organic free trade.
• What was Michael Oakeshott's key work and what did this include?

  'On Being Conservative' (1962) - human imperfection.

  a 'philosophy of imperfection' need not be a 'philosophy of pessimism'.
• What did Oakeshott believe about human nature?

  > People are "fallible but not terrible".

  > Humanity is at its best when free from grand designs and when focused on everyday life.
• What did Oakeshott believe about society?

  > Localised communities are essential, especially when guided by short-term requirements.

  > Socialism and liberalism are too idealistic.

  > Dismissed normative approach to politics.
• What did Oakeshott believe about the state?

  > In' the politics of faith and the politics of skepticism' he said the state should "prevent the bad rather than create the good".

  > Civil association - state makes laws and people decide what is good themselves.

  > Guided by tradition and practical concerns - pragmatism rather than dogmatism.
• What did Oakeshott believe about the economy?

  > State should look after the market - free markets are corruptible as they are volatile and unpredictable.

  > Markets may require pragmatic moderation by the state.
• What type of conservative is Ayn Rand?

  New Right.
• What was Ayn Rand's key work and what did this include?

  Atlas Shrugged' - talented individuals, rather than ambitious governments, create successful societies.
• What did Ayn Rand believe about human nature?

  > She was an objectivist - guided by self-interest and the pursuit of self-fulfillment.

  > Welfare is evil - everyone should stand on their own two feet.
• What did Ayn Rand believe about the state?


  > The state should confine itself to law and order and national security.

  > Any attempt to promote 'positive liberty' should be resisted.
• What did Ayn Rand believe about society?

  > Society is atomistic - humans seek autonomy and space, so there is only a vague sense of society.

  > Individuals shouldn't be restricted.
• What did Ayn Rand believe about the economy?

  > Free-market capitalism shouldn't be hindered by the state.
• What was Robert Nozick's key work and what did it include?

  Anarchy, State, and Utopia' (1974) - remains a key reference for modern conservative philosophy.
• What did Nozick believe about human nature?

  > Egotistical - individuals are driven by 'self-ownership' allowing them to reach their true potential.

  > Had an optimistic view (opposes Burke and Hobbes).
• What did Nozick believe about the state?

  > Minarchist state - small and limited, only acting to enforce the non-aggression principle.
• What did Nozick believe about society?

  > Should be geared to individual self-fulfillment.

  > Plethora of small, variable communities reflecting their members' tastes and philosophies.
• What did Nozick believe about the economy?

  > Minarchist state - detached from privatised and deregulated economy.

  > State should merely arbitrate disputes between private economic organisations.
• Was was Thomas Hobbes's key work and what did this include?

  > Leviathan (1651) - argued that a government should be followed, even if it bad, to avoid bloodshed as it is a better alternative than having no government at all.
• What did Hobbes believe about human nature?

  > He had a sceptical view of human nature - believed people are needy and vulnerable and likely to commit destructive acts.

  > The 'state of nature' for people was "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short".

  > Individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security
• What did Hobbes believe about the state?

  > Gov needs to be autocratic (have absolute power).

  > The state arises 'contractually' from individuals who seek order and authority.

  > Without authority there would be no liberty and chaos as people fight over their different opinions.

  - people are just rational to realise this and submit to a sovereign and agree to a social contract.
• What did Hobbes believe about society?

  > Prior to the emergence of the state, there was no cooperation - no 'natural rights' cited by liberals.

  > There can be no 'society' until the creation of a state brings order and authority to human affairs - until then it is "nasty, brutish, and short".
• What did Hobbes believe about the economy?

  Constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order and security.
• How did Burke describe human nature?

  "Crooked timber of humanity".