AQA A Level Politics - Conservatism

What is the conservative view of tradition?

Institutions, beliefs and customs have been developed over time. Tradition leads to social cohesion and security.

Which key thinker believes in tradition?

Edmund Burke

What is the conservative view of pragmatism?

Humans can't fully understand the complex world, so decisions should be made in a cautious and limited way.

Which key thinkers believe in pragmatism?

Thomas Hobbes, Edmund Burke, and Michael Oakeshott

What is the conservative view of human imperfection?

Humans are flawed and make poor decisions that benefit only themselves, so society needs a tough stance on law and order.

What is the psychological aspect of human imperfection?

Humans desire familiarity and safety within society.

What is the moral aspect of human imperfection?

Humans are naturally selfish and imperfect.

What is the intellectual aspect of human imperfection?

Humans can't fully understand the world around them.

Which key thinkers believe in human imperfection?

Thomas Hobbes and Michael Oakeshott

What is the conservative view of organic society?

Society functions like a living organism, with all of its parts working together to maintain cohesion of the whole society.

What are the four main features of an organic society?

Hierarchy, tradition, paternalism, and authority.

Which key thinker believes in organic society?

Edmund Burke

What is paternalism?

Society should be led by people who are best equipped to lead and who act in the best interest of society.

What is noblesse oblige?

People in power have a responsibility to help the less fortunate in society.

What is libertarianism?

It rejects paternalism and advocates individual liberty and maximum economic freedom.

When did traditional conservatism emerge?

In the late 1700s in response to the French Revolution and the Enlightenment.

What do traditional conservatives believe in?

Organic society, hierarchy, gradual reform, pragmatism and tradition.

Which key thinkers are traditional conservatives?

Edmund Burke and Thomas Hobbes.

When did One Nation Conservatism emerge?

In the 1800s as a result of laissez-faire capitalism threatening organic society.

What do One Nation Conservatives believe in?

The government is responsible for every citizen within a society, and laws govern everybody.

What are the three main ideas of One Nation Conservatism?

Maintain tradition, imperialism, and social reform.

When did the New Right emerge?

It was championed by Margaret Thatcher in the 1970s.

What do the New Right believe in?

It opposed social and economic intervention, and espoused tradition and economic freedom.

What do neo-liberals believe?

Minimal state, individual freedom, and free market economics.

What do neo-conservatives believe?

Social order, tradition, public morality.

When was Thomas Hobbes alive?

1588-1679

What is Thomas Hobbes' most notable work?

Leviathan (1651)

What did Thomas Hobbes believe about human nature?

Life in a state in nature is nasty brutish and short, because human ability to reason is fragile.

What did Thomas Hobbes believe about the state?

The state is based on a social contract where the sovereign guarantees safety.

What did Thomas Hobbes believe about society?

Society is cruel so government is needed by the consent of the people to preserve order and peace.

What did Thomas Hobbes believe about the economy?

Order and stability is needed to promote economic activity and growth.

When was Edmund Burke alive?

1729-97

What is Edmund Burke's most notable work?

Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)

What did Edmund Burke believe about human nature?

Tradition guides humans towards rationality despite human nature being flawed.

What did Edmund Burke believe about the state?

The state resembles a living organism, so reform should be cautious and limited to maintain order and harmony.

What did Edmund Burke believe about society?

Continued respect for tradition maintains a stable society as people feel rooted.

What did Edmund Burke believe about the economy?

Supports free-market capitalism and the easing of poverty by private charity.

When was Michael Oakeshott alive?

1901-90

What is Michael Oakeshott's most notable work?

On Being Conservative (1962)

What did Michael Oakeshott believe about human nature?

Humans are imperfect but can make moral decisions

What did Michael Oakeshott believe about the state?

The state should act in a pragmatic way and can negotiate every crisis.

What did Michael Oakeshott believe about society?

Humans cannot make sense of a complex world, so no rational leader can know everything about society.

What did Michael Oakeshott believe about the economy?

Private property allows security and power, so it should be more widespread.

When was Ayn Rand alive?

1905-82

What is Ayn Rand's most notable work?

Atlas Shrugged (1957)

What did Ayn Rand believe about human nature?

People should pursue their own rational self-interest because it's a virtue.

What did Ayn Rand believe about the state?

The state should be small, enforcing the social contract and law and order.

What did Ayn Rand believe about society?

There is no such thing, because people are pursuing their own interests.

What is the word to describe a belief that society doesn't exist?

Atomism

What did Ayn Rand believe about the economy?

The economy should be unregulated laissez-faire capitalism, which is compatible with the free expression of human rationality.

When was Robert Nozick alive?

1938-2002

What is Robert Nozick's most notable work?

Anarchy, State and Utopia (1974)

What did Robert Nozick believe about human nature?

Rational people should be left to their own choices and pursue their own goals.

What did Robert Nozick believe about the state?

There should be no tax, welfare or state regulation because people own themselves.

What did Robert Nozick believe about society?

People should be left to achieve their own goals on their own.

What did Robert Nozick believe about the economy?

Taxies are immoral because they treat individuals as a resource.