Political ideas - conservatism - key thinkers and themes

strands of conservatism

Traditional, One Nation, New Right

main beliefs of traditional conservatism

- hierarchy
- paternalism - noblesse oblige
- order
- freedom
- social attitude
- 'little platoons'
- change to conserve
- empiricism

main beliefs of one nation conservatism

- emerge from threat to order of the state and society
- bonds of affection and trust - Disraeli 'the palace is not safe when the cottage is not happy'
- change to conserve
- paternalism

main beliefs of the new right

- small state
- free-market capitalism
- anti-permissive so extend role of state to promote traditional family values, like traditional marriage and to protect national security and defence
- morality and economics

key thinkers of traditional conservatism

Thomas Hobbes
Edmund Burke

key thinkers of one nation conservatism

Michael Oakeshott

key thinkers of new right conservatism

Ayn Rand
Robert Nozick

thomas hobbes - human nature

Cynical: individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security.

thomas hobbes - the state

The state arises 'contractually' from individuals who seek order and security. To serve its purpose, the state must be autocratic and awesome.

thomas hobbes - society

There can be no 'society' until the creation of a state brings order and authority to human affairs. Life until then is 'nasty, brutish and short'

thomas hobbes - the economy

Constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order and security.

edmund burke - human nature

Sceptical: the crooked timber of humanity' is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement. We may conceive of perfection but we are unable to achieve it.

edmund burke - the state

The state arises organically and should be aristocratic, driven by a hereditary elite reared to rule in the interests of all.

edmund burke - society

Society is organic and multi-faceted, comprising a host of small communities and organisations 'little platoons'

edmund burke - the economy

Trade should involve 'organic' free markets and laissez-faire capitalism.

michael oakeshott - human nature

Modest: humanity is at its best when free from grand designs and when focused on the routines of everyday life.

michael oakeshott - the state

The state should be guided by tradition and practical concerns. Pragmatism, not dogmatism, should be its watchword.

michael oakeshott - society

Localised communities are essential to humanity's survival, especially when guided by short-term requirements rather than abstract ideas.

michael oakeshott - the economy

Free markets are volatile and unpredictable, and may require pragmatic moderation by the state.

ayn rand - human nature

'Objectivist': we are - and ought to be - guided by rational self-interest and the pursuit of self-fulfilment

ayn rand - the state

The state should confine itself to law, order and national security. Any attempt to promote 'positive liberty', via further state intervention, should be resisted.

ayn rand - society

In so far as it exists at all, society is atomistic: the mere sum total of its individuals. Any attempt to restrict individuals in the name of society should be challenged.

ayn rand - the economy

Free-market capitalism is an expression of 'objectivist' individualism and should not be hindered by the state.

robert nozick - human nature

Egotistical: individuals are driven by a quest for 'self-ownership', allowing them to realise their full potential.

robert nozick - the state

The minarchist state should merely outsource, renew and reallocate contracts to private companies providing public services.

robert nozick - society

Society should be geared to individual self-fulfilment. This may lead to a plethora of small, variable communities reflecting their members' diverse tastes and philosophies.

robert nozick - the economy

The minarchist state should detach itself from a privatised and deregulated economy, merely arbitrating disputes between private economic organisations.