conservatism - human nature knowledge flashcards

Conservatives view human nature pessimistically / negatively ie. Conservatism is ‘A philosophy of human imperfection’ - Michael Oakeshott. They believe in the need to …

build a society that works for an imperfect and imperfectible species. Like the other ideologies conservatives absolutely see to create the best and happiest society they can. But, they believe this must be done via controlling the weakness and flaws of human nature.

Humans are …

1. Flawed and imperfect …

a. psychologically

b. morally

c. intellectually

a. psychologically: we fear isolation, we fear instability, we are drawn to the safe and familiar and above all seek the security of ‘knowing our place’. For this reason, conservatives support order since it …

 creates stability and predictability and therefore contentment. Liberty and free choice can be unsettling and create uncertainty and unhappiness

b. morally: humans are innately selfish and greedy. The desire for power and possessions is a primary urge. Humans will act on their base urges - violence and possessiveness - unless prevented from doing so. Therefore …

 conservatives focus on law and order as deterrents - to control these urges. The primary purpose of the state therefore is to create order … not to create liberty (liberals) or equality (socialists).

c. intelectually:  conservatives see the world as too complicated for the human mind to grasp. Therefore they distrust broader abstract political ideas as incomprehensible. Instead they believe in grounding society and politics in traditional practices and experiences. These provide a template for …

what works practically. Practical common sense politics is however threatened by high-minded but ultimately meaningless political concepts such as ‘the rights of man’, ‘equality’ and ‘social justice’. Introducing these ideas threatens psychological and political disorder.  

Thomas Hobbes believed that human nature was so negative, that freedom must be sacrificed to control it - so as to create order. Modern conservatives wrestle with…

the balance between maximising individual freedom within limits which guarantee to maintain strong social and political order. 

         2.    Fixed and Unchanging …

Unlike anarchism and socialism, conservatives don’t think human nature is ‘malleable’ ie. can change depending on societal circumstances. Unlike liberals like Mill, they don’t in ‘human progress’ in terms of human nature (they don't think however that you can improve society, the state and the economy). Given conservatism's pessimistic approach to human nature …

and Burke's condemnation of the chaos of the French revolution, it would be easy to think the ‘father of conservatism’ would have lacked care for others. In fact, he was a vigorous campaigner for the dignity of the human person - promoting the rights of the Irish, Americans, Roman Catholics, Hindus and Africans (against slavery). Conservative negativity about what humans naturally choose to do, doesn’t mean they don’t care about others.

    3.  Cynical, Selfish and Greedy …

Key thinker Thomas Hobbes envisaged the human ‘state of nature’ before formal government and law began, as ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’. It was driven by …

ruthless egotism, greed, envy and fear. This differs greatly to Locke's liberal state of nature, which he saw as egotistical but respectful of others. Humans are also desirous - they want things, especially power, wealth and material possession.

  4.   But … Rational …

Despite the negative approach to human nature, conservatives view humans as rational beings who will choose a better pathway towards a self-interest and self-fulfillment than the ‘state of nature’. This will involve building security and stability via a state and law and order. Nevertheless, …

given our flawed species, our steps towards this ‘brighter path’ should be slow, cautious and careful.  The strand of new right conservatism has emphasised rational human choice over tradition, in their radical approach to free market economics and individualism.

Strands (i):

Communal or Individualistic?

• Most traditional and one nation conservatives have seen humans as sociable creatures who very much need local communities and the stability these bring. Burke referred to these as the ‘little platoons’.

• However, Hobbes saw humans as ruthlessly individualistic. This view was adopted by the neoliberal ‘half’ of the new right strand of conservatism. The new right argues we are driven by the desire for freedom, autonomy and self-determination - and that this can lead to a vibrant capitalist economic system. 

Strands (ii):

Oakeshott’s modern positive outlook:

• Micheal Oakeshott (1901-1990) sought to move conservative thought on human nature beyond the negativity of Hobbes and Burke. It is very hard to describe him as a particular strand though. 

• Oakeshott described humans as ‘fallible, not terrible’ and ‘imperfect, not immoral’. 

• He disagreed with Hobbes’ idea of humans being driven by brutal rationalism. Instead, saying we are creatures of habit, instinct and impulse motivated by communal practices such as ‘family, friends, gardens and games’. 

Strands (iii): The conservative negative belief in human nature has several key consequences:

• Greed - man is driven by instinct and emotion, not reason. Man responds to base instincts e.g. greed.

• Crime - Crime is the responsibility of individuals and their negative human nature, not society.

• The only way of stopping crime and deviance is through strict law and order. Rulers need to be strong as human nature is weak and most humans need to be led. 

• Order and security is best provided by traditional institutions like the ‘hard working’ family.

• Through property ownership, since owning property gives citizens a stake in society and a sense of responsibility.

• These things give people a ‘stake in society’ and therefore a reason to preserve the existing social order.

• Violent and rapid change is to be avoided at all costs. It can destroy the very fabric of society.

Implications of Conservatives beliefs about human nature (1):

Man is driven by instinct and emotion, not reason.  Man responds to base instincts, e.g. greed. Crime is the responsibility of the individual and their negative human nature - it is not society’s fault. The only way of stopping crime and deviance is …

through strict law and order. Rulers need to be strong as human kind is weak and most humans need to be led.

Implications of Conservatives beliefs about human nature (2):

Human nature is fixed and cannot be transformed because humans are not capable of becoming perfect.  Humans are weak. Such safety & security come from familiar social groups e.g. the family, local community organisations, religious groups etc.  They give us an identity and a set of values.  As a result, state leaders should also prioritise national identity.  Since humans are …

 intellectually limited, they cannot deal with the uncertainty a plurality of ideas can bring, and therefore we should be  distrustful of multiculturalism. These rulers need to act in a fatherly way, to guide the nation as best as they can.  But they must also always remember their own weakness and therefore seek guidance.

Implications of Conservatives beliefs about human nature (3):

Human nature means that humans are searching for security and order. People therefore need to be clearly led.  No-one is perfect, but it is the role of those least imperfect - and therefore most fit to rule - to run society and the state. Guidance best comes from rules, institutions & traditions that already exist – since these have ‘stood the test of time’.  Leaders & societies should be …

very cautious about tampering with such social foundations. This means that the main role of the state is to uphold and protect such social institutions.  In addition on a wider scale the nation itself gives an important sense of identity and belonging, and therefore security.

Implications of Conservatives beliefs about human nature (4):

Human nature is competitive. This allows those who work hard to gain as a result.  As a result of this work, individuals and families will use their wealth to own private property.  Private property gives people a sense of identity and security. The best way to create wealth is via the free market and therefore the state should embrace capitalism.  However  …

  the free market also promotes risk, innovation and change - which creates uncertainty & social disharmony. This worries some conservatives enough for them to adopt a moderated capitalism economic model, where free market economics is mixed with state intervention to reduce the likelihood of economic changes damaging the fabric of society.