| What did Edmund Burke (1729-97) say in his Book (1790) about 'Change to Progress' | -Burke, in 'Reflections on the Revolution in France' Rejected Liberal Ideas - Especially on the Idea of Progress as Desirable
-He Argued Inheritance and Tradition were Essential for a Stable Society, and that institutions and Beliefs that Form society are Foemed by the Wisdom of those who came before us and Must be Respected
-Burke used France - during its Messy Bloody 1789 Revolution - as an example when this Past Knowledge is Destroyed. |
| What did Burke say about Continuity? | -'Change is Only Necessary to Conserve'
-He Saw Society as a Partnership/Bond between the Dead, Living and the Unborn Future Generations, rather than a Social Contract between the Government and Governed (Liberal Idea)
-These Connections foster Stability and Security in Society and allow Social Order, not the Social Chaos that was Ensuing in Paris |
| What did Burke say about the Ideas and Theories that came from the Enlightenment and French Revolution? | -Because they were Abstract, Burke promptly Rejected them, as well as Rejecting Democracy and saw Inequality as Natural
-The People should be Represented by the Elite and the Wise (Same Thing) how would not be Delegates, but rather follow their own Conscience in making Decisions and Policies
-Burke obviously was not a supporter of the Social Contract Theory and instead Supported that Society provides Individuals with Links to the Past and Future, but he did Defend the Glorious Revolution as he Rejected Absolute Monarchy. |
| What was the Enlightenment? | -An Intellectual and Cultural Movement that Sprung in Europe during the Late 17th Century and 18th Century
-Expressed the Importance of Reason, Empiricism, and Individualism as Means to Understand and Improve the Human condition
-John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Adam Smith, Mary Wollstonecraft.. All Promimnet Figures here |
| What was the Glorious Revolution? | -In 1688, King James II of England was Overthrown and William III and Mary II came to the English Throne
-The Revolution confirmed of Parliamentary Supremacy, as well a Constitutional Monarchy, Bill of Rights and Rise of the Whigs and Tories |
| What did Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) say in his book? | -Thomas Hobbes supported Absolute and Unlimited Government - which meant the Monarchy in Context
-In Leviathan (1651) he argued Strong Government is Needed to Protect Humans from the Choas and Violence of an Alternative: A State of Nature where life would be 'nasty, brutish, and short'
-Hobbes believed, that individuals left to themselves would Fear each other and be Irrational. This is such a Negative View |
| How did Hobbes solve his Pessimistic Approach to Human Nature | -Strong, Absolute Government without Limits was Needed to Protect Humans, and without it, Normal Life would be Impossible
-The Government's role was to Enforce Law and Order, which Humans would be Happy Accepting this |
| What did Hobbes say about the Social Contract Theory? | -Hobbes was one of the Thinkers who Developed the Social Contract Theory. Citizens must Accept and Obey Government, even a Repressive one, because the Alternative would be Worse
-Hobbes believed it was Worth Giving up one's Freedom and Liberty for Protecting only the State can Facilitate
-The Contract between the Citizens and the State Consisted of the Citizen's Unlimited Obedience in Return for Personal Security |
| Why has Hobbes Negative View on Human Nature not been Successful in all Branches of Conservatism? | -This Negative View has not been Consumed really by Libertarian New Right Conservatives. Not only they want Change, they support the Liberal View of Human Rationality and have a Firm Belief in some Ideas that can be seen as Abstract, such as Laissez-Faire Economics |
| What did Ayn Rand (1905-82) say about Selfishness? | -Rand's Bestsellers were 'The Fountainhead' (1943) and 'Atlas Shrugged' (1957)
-Rand focused on the importance of Individual Liberty, which Trump greatly loved. She writes how Selfishness is not a Character's Fault, but rather a Virtue and the Key to Personal happiness |
| What did Ayn Rand say about Altruism? | -Altruism is seen as Sacrificing Yourself for the Interests and Lives of Others, and thus is Irrational. Self-seeking individuals will Support the Free Market as they want to Earn and Trade
-In The Fountainhead, the Architect: Howard Roark argues Altruism makes Depedence and the Common Good leads to Dictatorships |
| What did Rand say about Religion and Government? | -Rand was an Atheist, and called for a Complete Separation, Similar to hat of State and Church in France
-She believed in a Very Limited Government, who would focus on Protecting the Individual by using Threats of Force. Rand thus isn't an Anarchist as she saw a Role for the State in terms of Police, Army and Legal Systems. The Government though had no Right and Status, expect the Right Delegated to it by the Citizens |
| What was Objectivism? | -Rand developed this idea, which is the Highly Individualistic Belief that 'Man Exists for his Own Sake'
-This idea has excited many Entrepreneurs have found Exciting and why Trump is such a Fan |
| What did Michael Oakeshott (1901-1990) say about Ideology and Rationalism? | -Oakeshott, like Burke, rejected Ideology and that there are Correct Answers to Practical Questions
-Disliked the Idea that Politics can be Organised on a Rational Basis based on Abstract Principles like Equality because Human Understanding is Limited
-He even attacked Rationalism because it placed Theory above Knowledge, Culture and Tradition |
| How did Oakeshott wanted Politics to be about? | -Politics should be about Practical Knowledge and Pragmatism, but not Ideas and Theories that ignore complexities of Human Society and Tradition
-Reform, in his eyes, was breaking with the Past, when it was better to create Continuity. Making something New is Usually a Failure and a Mistake |
| Why did Oakeshott dislike the Enlightenment? | -The Enlightenment lead to Rationality being more Popular for making Political Decisions. Politics should be a Conversation, not an Argument. This rejects the Idea of Absolutes (Rigid Ideologies) |
| What did Oakeshott say in 'On Being Conservative' (1962, in Rationalism in Politics and Other Essays) | -Oakeshott had Compared Society with too much Personal Freedom to a Ship lost at Sea - Restless with no Direction or Order
-Politicians can be seen as Officers on the Deck, guided by Experts, but Heading for Disaster |
| What did Robert Nozick (1938-2002) say about Individuals? | -Nozick was a Free-Market Libertarian, who in 'Anarchy, State and Utopia' (1974) said Humans own Themselves
-By Self-Ownership (Nozick said Humans as Self-Owners) Individuals have the Moral Rights to Keep what they Make and not be Forced to give those Resources to Others
-They also can act in any way they want, which may include Harming Themselves |
| Why did Nozick oppose Egalitarianism? (Equality amongst Individuals) | -Individuals should do what they wish with their own Resources
-Whatever the Outcome, Regardless of Inequality, it is a Just One
-Belief in Equality of Outcome, in Nozick's view, leads to an Unjust State Interference in Lives of People, and it always Collectivist rather than Individualistic. This makes the Individual not important |
| What does Nozick see the Role of the State? | -The State should only care for Police, Defence and Administrating Courts
-Other tasks of the State that the Government carries out should be Carried out by Voluntary organisations or Religious Bodies on a Free Market/Competitive Basis
-This would be less Wasteful when compared to State Intervention, as well as Prevent the Growth of Unnecessary Bureaucracy
-This aligns with Classic Liberals' beliefs but alas, Progressive Taxation and other State Interferences are Negative, as they Prioritise the Collectivist rather than the Individual. |
