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32 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Thinkers |
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Edmund Burke (1729-97) Michael Oakeshott (1901-90) Ayn Rand (1905-82) Robert Nozick (1938-2002) |
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Thomas Hobbes |
Key ideas 1. Order 2. Human nature
Wrote Leviathan (1651) > argued for total obedience to absolute govt. Best people hope for peace under strong govt. & concerns of the moment |
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Order |
Ordered society Balances need to lead a free life > in a “state of nature” where humans are free from authority and are equal = restless desire for power > war Fearful & rational people gain security & order thru establishing political authority Govt established on joint consent of people > peace + order |
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Human nature |
• Humans are needy & vulnerable Compete to get basic necessities & material gains Challenge others & fight for personal safety Want reputation so others don’t challenge them • Humans are easily led astray in attempts to understand world around them Human capacity = fragile Attempts to interpret world are distorted by self interest & concerns of the moment |
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Edmund Burke |
1. Cautious change 2. Respect tradition & empiricism Wrote Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790) > problem with French Revolution = creating new society of govt based on abstract principles (liberty & equality) instead of past lessons > leads to failure |
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Cautious change |
• state is a living organism > changed thru gentle “grafting” in order to preserve stability & harmony of social + political order • reform should be limited + cautious > based on empiricism & tradition • revolutionary change = cuts off roots of organic society > social & political breakdown |
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Respecting tradition & empiricism |
• represent accumulated & tested wisdom of past, in society’s Long-standing institutions Customs Practices • continues respect for tradition & empiricism = social continuity & stability Can be passed on to each generation • encourages social cohesion & security > offers people a sense of being connected to their society |
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Michael Oakeshott |
1. Pragmatism 2. Theories & ideologies > simply complex situations Wrote Rationalism in politics (1962) Wrote On Human Conduct (1975) |
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Pragmatism |
• politics only successfully conducted if it accommodates existing traditions & prejudices • pragmatic approach = Delivers what’s in bed interests of people without overstepping limits of public acceptance Maintains social stability & cohesion through moderation & continuity Flexible |
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Pragmatism |
• politics only successfully conducted if it accommodates existing traditions & prejudices • pragmatic approach = Delivers what’s in bed interests of people without overstepping limits of public acceptance Maintains social stability & cohesion through moderation & continuity Flexible |
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Theories & ideologies |
• modern society is unpredictable & complex > can’t be understood by abstract theories & principles • rational behaviour to make sense of society’s behaviour > distort & simplify facts = people don’t have mental capacity to understand • rationalist leader makes decision based on authority of his own reason, not personal experience > communism |
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Pragmatism vs rationalism |
Pragmatism • Parl. institutions have existed for centuries & govern on the basis of history & experience • Parl. institutions develop pragmatically due to demands of governing Rationalism • politics is based on abstract principles & ideological thought • politics leads to destruction & creation of new social & political order |
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Ayn Rand |
1 Objectivism 2 Freedom Atlas Shrugged (1957) The Fountainhead (1943) |
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Ayn Rand |
1 Objectivism 2 Freedom Atlas Shrugged (1957) The Fountainhead (1943) |
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Objectivism |
People should pursue own happiness as highest moral aim • Her most important contribution to political thought • libertarian philosophical system that advocates virtues of rational self interest • attempting to control individuals actions > corrupts capacity to work freely as a productive member of society • rejection of welfare + distribution > taxation is force • rejecting personal altruism (putting yourself before others) |
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Freedom |
People should work hard to achieve life of purpose & productiveness • Full, pure, uncontrolled, unregulated laissez faire economy > reflects individuals pursuit of rational self interest • under LF, people can use time, money & other resources & can interact with others to mutual advantage • libertarian conservatives must might for capital not for a practical or economic issue but with pride as a moral issue |
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Robert Nozick |
1. Libertarianism 2. Self ownership Anarchy, state & Utopia (1974) |
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Ayn Rand |
1 Objectivism 2 Freedom Atlas Shrugged (1957) The Fountainhead (1943) |
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Objectivism |
People should pursue own happiness as highest moral aim • Her most important contribution to political thought • libertarian philosophical system that advocates virtues of rational self interest • attempting to control individuals actions > corrupts capacity to work freely as a productive member of society • rejection of welfare + distribution > taxation is force • rejecting personal altruism (putting yourself before others) |
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Freedom |
People should work hard to achieve life of purpose & productiveness • Full, pure, uncontrolled, unregulated laissez faire economy > reflects individuals pursuit of rational self interest • under LF, people can use time, money & other resources & can interact with others to mutual advantage • libertarian conservatives must might for capital not for a practical or economic issue but with pride as a moral issue |
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Robert Nozick |
1. Libertarianism 2. Self ownership Anarchy, state & Utopia (1974) |
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Libertarianism |
Humans have rights to their lives, liberty & rewards of labour. Can’t be used against will as a resource. • based on Kant’s Moral principle > humans should be treated as an end; never a means only They are rational & self aware • radical conclusion that taxes funding state welfare = immoral They’re a forced labour imposed by state on man Treat individuals as a resource to further goals of equality & social justice • minimal/night watchman state with powers limited to those necessary to protect people |
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Self ownership |
• gives individuals right to determine what can be done with a possession • gives people tighter to various elements that make up ones self • opposes taxation to fund welfare state & supports minimal state > this taxation = slavery > gives others entitlement to rewards of ones labour |
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Conservatism ideas |
Pragmatism Tradition Human imperfection Paternalism Libertarianism Neoliberalism Neoconservatism |
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Conservative ideologies |
Traditional conservatism One nation conservatism The new right |
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Pragmatism |
Rejects ideology & theory in favour of decisions made on the basis of practical experience |
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Tradition |
Refers to institutions, customs & practices of a society that has developed over time |
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Human imperfection |
Humans are flawed, unchanging & incapable of achieving perfection |
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Paternalism |
Traditional consv belief that govt. should be inducted by those beat equipped to lead & make decisions through birth, inheritance & upbringing |
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Libertarianism |
A strand of consv thinking influenced by Adam Smith’s arguments for economic liberalism > since late 18th century |
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Neoliberalism |
Economic problems affecting the west in the 70s discredited Keynesianism & created a more receptive environment for neoliberal thinking • minimal state • self reliant individuals • rejection of collectivism • elimination of govt. intervention |
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Neoconservatism |
A mild type of authoritarianism which emerged in the 70s in the US as a reaction against reforms, ideas & attitudes of the Liberal 60s |
