To What Extent Are Conservatives United In Their Views On Human Nature?

Introduction

Paragraph Focus

• Para 1 = Disagree on Human Imperfection

• Para 2 = Agree on State

• Para 3 = Disagree on Paternalism

Para 1 = Traditional and One Nation - Support

• their interpretation of human imperfection is deeply influenced by Christian teachings about original sin and the fallibility of man.

• They see humans as morally imperfect, with a natural inclination towards self-interest and immorality

• As a result, traditional and one nation conservatives stress the role of moral education, strong institutions, and a strong state to instill values and curb immoral behaviour

• This perspective is central to the work of Burke who believe that humans are naturally communal, as their imperfection compels them to band together

• Burke, therefore, emphasises the need for moral guidance and structure in society

Para 1 = New Right - Against

• They donʼt see humans as imperfect.

• Instead they see them as rational and self-interested and see this as a positive thing that creates the potential for self-governance and self-improvement

• they put great emphasis on the capabilities and personal responsibility of individuals

• The New Rightʼs view that human natureʼs self-interest is a positive thing can be seen in Randʼs objectivism.

• Rand argued that self-interest and pursuing oneʼs own happiness not only benefitted society, but is the highest moral pursuit

Para 2 = Traditional and One Nation - Support

• strongly supporting a stable, hierarchical social order.

• They believe the state had a key role to play in imposing this order to maintain peace and prevent conflict.

• This belief that the state plays an important role in preventing the self-interested nature of humans from causing conflict

• This idea can first be seen in Hobbesʼ ‘Leviathanʼ, which set out the belief that in the absence of a strong state, human life would inevitably fall into a state of constant conflict and competition for resources and power

• It would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

Para 2 = New Right - Support

• nonetheless recognised that a strong state was necessary to maintain order and create an environment in which individual freedom and innovation could thrive

• Without it, there would be conflict, as different humans pursuing their own self-interest would clash

• This can be seen in Rand, who argued that the stateʼs only legitimate role was to provide security and order to prevent violence

Para 3 = Traditional and One Nation - Support

• believe that the imperfections in human nature can be mitigated through the influence of tradition and proper guidance

• placed great emphasis on the civilising influence of institutions, the family, the church, and communities

• Human nature has the potential for goodness and decency, provided it is guided and shaped by the stabilising and moral influences of these traditions and communities

• Hobbes believes Traditions fosters social cohesion

Para 3 = New Right - Against

• The New Right strongly opposes the view that the state and society is required to provide guidance.

• They see society as atomistic and believe that individuals should be left alone

• believe that it creates a dependency culture and believe in individual responsibility

• believed that humans are naturally rational and atomistic and should resist large state intervention