Conservative key thinkers

Thomas Hobbes (Traditional conservative) view on Human Nature

Humans are deeply flawed, selfish and violent. Without rule over us human life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” where each person would go for what benefits them and power rather than what benefits others.

Edmund Burke (Traditional conservative) view on Human Nature

We are not fully rational but rather humans are imperfect and flawed but we are not completely savage as Hobbes suggested, we are social creatures who desire little platoons. Humans act to avoid pain and to gain pleasure. We should follow traditions, customs and manners as they are a part of who we are and wisdom passed down.

Michael Oakeshott (One nation / Traditional conservative) view on Human Nature

Humans are imperfect but not brutish or immoral. Humans prefer the known to the unknown and thrive in familiarity. Humans have different views based on experience and trial and error.

Ayn Rand (New right) view on Human Nature

Humans are very rational and can get immense achievement without guidance. We are not naturally flawed but born as a blank slate of whom is capable. She thought that altruism was self destructive. We are independent.

Robert Nozick (New right) view on Human Nature

Humans are rational, autonomous and are self owning. They don’t want their rights infringed on so a minimal government is necessary for this.

Thomas Hobbes view on The State

Hobbes argued that the state should be a leviathan of power (have as much power as needed) and the people should surrender some of their rights to the state so that the state can do its job of safety and order.

Edmund Burke view on The State

The state should naturally grow and evolve like a plant rather than a machine and slowly “change in order to conserve”. Too much change cuts the plant off from the roots and therefore kills its traditions and customs which keep it alive. It should be run by a hereditary ruling class who have a duty to look after the less fortunate.

Michael Oakeshott view on The State

The states job is to prevent harm but rather than bring about good. It is like a ship where rather than going to one far away dystopian destination, it is just navigating its way through the waters, managing issues as they come up.

Ayn Rand view on The State

The state should be minimal, simply acting as a night watchman who protects liberty and gives physical security. There should be no voluntary taxation and she compared it to looting, only voluntary taxation.

Robert Nozicks view on The State

Same as Ayn Rand where it should be a minimal state to protect liberty and physical protection. Being taxed to give to others is like forced labour for another person.

Thomas Hobbes view on Society

Society is not natural or organic because humans are self interested. Society is seen as an artificial machine created by man to escape violence. Society is effectively just a peace pact.

Edmund Burke view on Society

Society is organic and has evolved over generations through traditions making it a partnership between the dead, the alive and those yet to be born. Changes in society and its structure should be slow and gradual by changing to conserve. Burke said how society is made up by little platoons which are vital for giving individuals a sense of belonging and identity.

Michael Oakeshott view on Society

Society is organic and is made up of traditions and customs. It is pragmatic and centred around the familiar rather than the abstract. No human has a capacity to fully understand society so you should be skeptical of anyone who tries to bring across big societal change in order for a utopian future e.g. being skeptical of Marxism.

Ayn Rand view on Society

Society is an atomistic market place (trading for mutual benefit). These autonomous individuals owe nothing to society or each other making altruism seem self destructive.

Robert Nozick view on Society

Atomistic view on society similar to Ayn Rand but rather than a marketplace its just a neutral place of diversity where individuals co-exist.

Thomas Hobbes view on The Economy

The state is there to lay the economic foundations and to make sure that individuals aren’t exploited. The markets are regulated by the state and the state has control over them so it doesn’t lead to harm of the people. Unregulated markets risk too much change.

Edmund Burke view on The Economy

The markets should be free and laissez-faire because the markets self regulate. The state doesn’t have the wisdom to manage the market so they should be unregulated. He was an advocate for private property. He believed the free market was part of Gods natural order.

Michael Oakeshott view on The Economy

Lets the market run unregulated but catches and stabilises it if needed. Fully free markets might lead to too much change

Ayn Rand view on The Economy

State should have no control over the market at all because the money is as deserved by the individuals. Though different to Burke because Burke thought that the free markets had evolved over time and were part of Gods natural order.

Robert Nozicks view on The Economy

“Taxation is on par with forced labour” because you are working for someone else. There should not be tax because it violates the fruit of your labour. Free markets to let the people do what they want.