Conservatism: Key Thinkers

Created by: teezealand
Created on: 06-04-19 13:49

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Conservatism: Key Thinkers
- Edmund Burke
  - Human Nature
    - pragmatic of human nature
  - State
    - government prevent evil but struggle to do promote good
  - Society
    - believed that wisdom lied in tradition, e.g family
    - organic society is important
  - Economy
    - believes in a free market because of 'natural law'
- Thomas Hobbes
  - Human Nature
    - humans are needy, vulnerable and easily led astray in attempts to understand the world around them
    - critical of the divine right of kings
  - State
    - argued for almost total obedience to absolute government, as the only alternative was chaos (rationalising authoritarianism)
  - Society
    - believed in the social contract theory
    - ordered society and balanced free living
- Michael Oakeshott
  - Human Nature
    - human imperfections
    - should be guided by pragmatism rather than idealism
  - State
    - state should be guided by tradition
  - Society
    - modern society is too impractical and complex
  - Economy
    - free markets are volatile so state must intervene
- Ayn Rand
  - Human Nature
    - human imperfection
    - rational self-interest
    - atomism
  - State
    - minimal state intervention
  - Society
    - highest aim should be one's own happiness
    - society is broken down into individuals
  - Economy
    - laissez-faire capitalism
- Robert Nozick
  - Human Nature
    - some optimism towards human nature
  - State
    - no welfare state but a minimal state
    - property rights should be upheld
    - taxation is immoral so keep it minimal
  - Society
    - believed in individualism
  - Economy
    - humans aren't resources

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Conservatism: Key Thinkers

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