To what extent are conservatives united in their attitude towards the
state? (24)
Intro:
➔ Politics of pragmatism
➔ Range of ideas not necessarily united
➔ Hobbes vs Nozick
Disagree on human nature and how this relates to the state
Hobbes: ‘the condition of man.. Is a condition of war of everyone’
Burke: pessimistic view of human nature, revolution does not allow for gradual
change- gloomy view of government
Prefers absolutist government to prevent anarchy and disorder
Should surrender all natural rights apart from self-defence
But…
Nozick and Rand viewed human nature as imperfect but egoistical and objectivist.
Nozick: ‘individuals have rights and there are things no person or group may do to
them’
Rational, minimal interference of the state
Negative freedom
Agree on role of economy in the state
Free government, laissez- faire approach
Tax cuts, economic liberalisation
Liberal economy= advancement - objectivist (Rand)= radical for capitalism
Rejects taxes used for welfare state, views it as immoral as it rejects the idea that
humans should be seen as better ends of themselves
One Nation-conservatives - evolved to keynesian economic management
Hobbes and Oakeshott believe some state intervention in economy as humans
egoistical
Disagree on role of state within society
One Nation Conservatism vs New Right
One Nation promotes welfare and a proactive state
New Right/ Neo-liberals advocate for a minimal state privatisation, free market
system. (Rand and Nozick)
Social role of state much more similar
Neo-conservatives believe the state should assert authority and encourage social
discipline.
Burke supported noblesse oblige as privilege entails responsibility suggesting the
state has some role in support.
Conclusion:
Not uniform
Result of pragmatism, response to changes in societal conscience. Still some similarity in
role of state in the economy
, To what extent is there more to unite rather than divide the New Right from One-Nation
conservatives? (24)
Intro:
● New Right= split into two sprands- neoconservatives and neoliberals
● One nation= reactionary, pragmatic
● Greater unite would be seen if the theories founded in human nature resulted in a similar
policy proposal
● Both strands are united at their core but they respond to problems differently
Agree: Human Nature
Paternalistic, believe in a natural hierarchy formed within society
Humans are immutable
Oakeshott: ‘fragile and fallible’
Human nature explains the need for a capitalist economic system
Rational egoism (Nozick)
Free market economics ensures stability of wealth
Disagree: State and economics
One-Nation conservatives follow Burke’s principle ‘noblesse oblige’ and apply it to a less
aristocratic social system- welfare state
Macmillan’s ‘middle way’, keynesian economics, between socialist collectivism and unbridled
liberalism
Pragmatic nature of one-nation conservatives leave them working to preserve the welfare brought
by labour governments in the UK
New Right are split between traditional conservatives and liberalism
New right may follow Hobbes justification for spending on enforcement
Liberal right may place value in minimal state above all- Nozick against wealth redistribution,
‘individuals have rights and there are no things no person or group may do to them’
Agreement over free market capitalism- although neoliberals may choose a lesser state and
laissez-faire over prevention of monopolisation
Disagree: Society
One-Nation conservatives apply noblesse oblige to society
Emphasis on social responsibility- paternalism- draws from Burke’s noblesse oblige and
Oakeshott’s pragmatism- state to ‘ensure social harmony’
Choose socially liberal policy due to pragmatist nature- The Marriage (same sex) bill 2014
Less emphasis on preservation of traditional institutions, focus on modern ones?
New Right is a reactionary ideological strand against liberal reform
Reagan’s resistance against feminism in the 60s
Further authoritarian state- Hobbes
Advocates liberal atomistic individualism
Rejects social welfare as it could institutionalise poverty
Split between Nozick’s desire to minimise state control and the preservation of tradition and
institutions
Conclusion:
● The core of conservative ideology stems from a pessimistic view of human nature
● This founds some points of agreement, particularly over the economy
● However the pragmatist nature of conservatism has led to greater splits over time
● One Nation conservatism values social stability whereas the New Right is more extreme in its
desire to preserve institutions or ensure minimal economic control
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