conservatism

Hobbes on human nature

self interested and prone to conflict

driven by needs

original state of nature - ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’

competition

burke on human nature

fallible

not utopian view like french revolution

can imagine perfection, but not achieve it

Oakshott on human nature

imperfect but not immoral

more optimistic - human posibility

‘benign and benevolent’ when framed with familiarity, routine and religion -

rand on human nature

objectivism - all live lives rationally following self interest

no greater moral goal than achieving own hapines

altrusm incompatible with human hapiness

selfishness is a virture - ‘the virtue of selfishness’

flourish through reason and independence

thatcher ‘there is no such thing as society’

nozick on human nature

rational, self-owning individuals

bad things not main characteristics of humanity

individuals sole authors of own talents and abilites - left alone to realise

rationally pursue own self interests

agree on human nature

humans are selfish and driven by needs

need state to prevent conflict

disagree on human nature

optimism/pessimism

flawed and selfish - how bad

how rational - liberal influenced

hobbes on society

needs strong rules and regulations to make cooperation possible - social contract

no stateless society

burke on society

french revo - tried to create new society - failed

drastic change leads to chaos and tyranny

organism - society is living and interconnected - needs organic and gradual change

aristocracy -people are not born equal

localism - society made up of little platoons

oakeshott on society

organic

should be ordered on basis of customs and traditions

like a plant - new leaves connected and depend on roots

boat - society should stay afloat rather than striving for social justice/equality

rand on society

atomism - composed of millions of atomistic individuals pursuing own fulfilment

libertarian on social issues - right to choose

without efforts of rational and productive people, economy would collapse

conforming to norms of society hindered humans ability to be free

any attempt to promote the common good is a step towards tyranny

nozick on society

permissive society

relaxed on societal issues

minarchist state would allow for self-sufficient communities to emerge

agree on society

state for law and order in society

change in society should be gradual

rights - order, property are essential

keep society stable - not utopian

disagree on society

equality - paternalism v meritocracy

organic v atomism

hobbes on state

leviathan state for law and order - social contract that binds us to authoritarian leadership

no natural rights - needs enforcing

people rational enoguh to desire government

should take some freedoms to protect individuals

no separartin of powers

burke on state

hierarchy both natural and imprortant

duty to enact gradual change to conserve - pragmatic

oakeshott on state

prgamatic - not realistic to build perfect utopia

to prevent bad rather than do good

boat analogy

limited role - gov officials are human and therefore fallible

rand on state

small state is a strong state

negative liberty

tax cuts and privatisation

no intervention in economy or private lives - no paternalistic or redistributive roles

liberty impossible without order and security

nozick on state

no good argument for state other than to protect rights

growth of government is biggest threat to individual freedom

welfare fosters dependency culture

minarchist -

limited state = individualism

agreements on state

is needed - law and order

enforcement of rights

disagree on state

extent of power -

selfinterest/ welfare

hobbes on economy

need state for economy to function

clear rules and reg

anarchic in character - driven by self interests

centred around property

burke on economy

freemarket

agree with hobbes - needs rules and reg

economy part of how society functions

oakeshott on economy

capitalism allows to look after state and family

no privatisation

total free markets are unpredictable may require pragmatic moderation from state

rand on economy

minimal state intervention

laissez faire cap allows to pursue own interests

opposed taxation

freemarket is only moral economic systen - voluntary exchange and merit

nozick on economy

tax is theft - forced labour

wilt chamberlain - free market

agreements on economy

freemarket/capitalism

property rights

dsiagree on economy

intervention of state - paternalistic v libertarian

pragmatism