Conservatism Thinkers

Thomas Hobbes

Traditional conservative philosopher - sceptical view of human nature.

Leviathan

Thomas Hobbes key work - 1651, views on human nature and the necessity of a strong central authority.

Sceptical view of human nature

Hobbes - human nature is ruthlessly egotistical and likely to commit cruel acts

State of nature

Hobbes - life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short' before the establishment of a state

Formal authority

Hobbes - the necessity of a governing body to define right and wrong

Contract between people and state

Hobbes - individuals agree to give sovereignty to a governing body for order and security

Autocratic power

Hobbes - concentrated power necessary to maintain order and prevent conflict.

Economy requires order

Hobbes - a stable economy is dependent on a structured and orderly society

Government by consent

Hobbes - legitimate government arises from consent of the governed

HOBBES human nature

human nature characterized by self-interest, distrust of others, and fear of death.

Hierarchy

Hobbes - structured organization that would emerge from the social contract.

Concentration of power

Hobbes - state power must be centralized to avoid the conflicts found in state of nature.

Edmund Burke

Traditional conservative philosopher - views on human imperfection

Reflections on the Revolution in France

Edmund Burke key work - 1790, critiques the French Revolution and its ideals

Human imperfection

Burke - mankind is fallible and tends to fail more than succeed.

Empiricism

Burke - all knowledge is derived from sensory experience

Organicism

Burke - everything in nature has an organic basis or role

Tradition

Burke - importance of historical continuity and established customs in society

Localism

Burke - local governance and community-based decision-making.

Ruling class

Burke - ruling class is both inevitable and desirable in society.

Change based on fact

Burke - societal change should be grounded in empirical evidence and experience rather than abstract theory.

Denouncement of idealism

Burke - criticism of unrealistic utopian ideals proposed by French Revolution

Little platoons

Small-scale human associations - shared culture

Micheal Oakeshott

Traditional conservative, 1901-1990

'On Being Conservative'

Micheal Oakeshott key work - 1962

Human nature according to Oakeshott

'Fallible not terrible' but incapable of a perfect society.

One Nation Conservatism

Form of conservatism that emphasizes social cohesion and the importance of community

Oakeshott's philosophy of imperfection

Need not be a 'philosophy of pessimism' or indeed unhappiness.

Oakeshott's view on men and women

Most men and women were 'fallible but not terrible' and 'imperfect but not immoral'.

Oakeshott's approach to wisdom

It is through experience, trial and error, rather than abstract philosophy, that wisdom was achieved.

The politics of faith and the politics of scepticism

The state existed to 'prevent the bad rather than create the good'.

AYN RAND

New Right thinker, 1905-1982, known for 'Atlas Shrugged' (1957) and 'The Virtue of Selfishness' (1964).

Objectivism

Guided by self-interest.

Society-atomism

Society does not exist; only individuals do.

Rand's view on talented individuals

Talented individuals are key to society's success.

Freedom according to Rand

Freedom FROM interference by others.

Tax cuts

A policy advocated by Rand as part of rolling back the state.

ROBERT NOZICK

New Right thinker, 1938-2002, known for 'Anarchy, State and Utopia' (1974).

Growth of the state

A great threat to individuals' freedom according to Nozick.

Welfare state

Creates a dependency culture.

Minarchist state

A state that outsources public services.

Nozick's view on tax

'Tax for the most part is theft'.

Self-sufficient communities

Communities that Nozick believed should arise alongside the extension of individual freedom.

Limited state

A state that enforces laws but leaves people alone economically and on social issues.

Human nature views

While dishonesty, theft and violence were not the main characteristics of humanity, the preservation of life, liberty and property could not be taken for granted.

Dependency culture

A culture that develops when individuals rely on state support.

Friedrich Von Hayek

Neo-liberal philosopher known for 'The Road to Serfdom'.

Anarchy, State and Utopia

Nozick's 1974 work discussing the role of the state.