A* conservatism essay plans. these include the state, human nature, the economy and society. Each essay plan has reference to multiple Key Thinkers and an evaluative conclusion. The plan includes 2 areas of agreement and 2 areas of disagreement perfect for a 4 paragraph essay. Really clear to under...
Conservatism – State, Economy, Society and Human Nature essay plans
TWE do conservatives agree over Human nature
Paragraph 1agree
- Conservatives largely agree over the imperfection of human nature.
- Traditional conservative – Burke stressed mankind’s fallibility and tendency to fail more than succeed. He denounced
the idealistic society that the French revolution represented as unrealistic in his text ‘reflections on the revolution in
France’
- Similarly
- Hobbes believe human nature is selfish and that individuals have a ruthless desire for supremacy and security. His
quote ‘Humans are driven by a perpetual and restless desire of power’ shows that individuals will always try to reach
power but never succeed, this is because he had an imperfect view of human nature, believing they weren’t capable.
- Even the New Right believe in the weakness of human nature and need for paternalism in their belief in tough law
and order.
Therefore, there is agreement among conservatives over the imperfect nature of humans as they try to reach their
goals but due to the inability of them they don’t achieve.
Paragraph 3 agree
- Conservatives largely agree over the need for pragmatism due to HN. Many conservatives believe that due to the
imperfection of human decisions should be made slowly and cautiously, they believe that were possible we should
keep to tradition as it tried and tested.
- Edmund Burke argues that humans should put their faith in tried and tested tradition and empiricism, and if society
must change it does so through ‘change to conserve’.
- Oakeshott lacked faith and was sceptical of rationality, arguing that change should be cautiously guided by
pragmatism based on empiricism and traditions.
Therefore there is agreement among conservatives that change should be taken cautiously due to the imperfection
of individuals HN.
Paragraph 2 disagree
- Traditional and new right(neo-liberal) conservatives disagree over human nature.
- Nozick rejected the negativity of Burke and Burke’s belief that humans can only thrive in organic society.
- Whereas Nozick believed in individual sovereignty and that they cannot be used as resource against their will. Nozick
argues that individuals are rational
Although there is a clear divide between neo conservatives and traditional conservatives, majority have a negative
view and neo conservatives is a small proportion. Therefore the stronger argument is that there is agreement over
HN.
Paragraph 4 disagree
- Traditional and new right(neo-liberal) conservatives disagree over individuals ability to achieve their goals.
- Rand sees humans as rational, should pursue own happiness and self-fulfilment, this is highlighted in Rand’ work
‘The virtue of Selfishness’.
- This belief contrasts with Burke who rejected rationalism of French Rev as flawed.
Although there is a clear divide between neo conservatives and traditional conservatives, surrounding the
rationality of individuals and obtaining their goals, majority of conservatives agree that HN is flawed including the
New right Neo-Conservatives, as seen through Thatcher who advocated tough law and order due to the
selfishness and infallible nature. Therefore the stronger argument is that they agree over HN.
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