essay prep

Question 1

What do Marx and Engels think about human nature?

Answer 1

Human nature, originally altruistic and fraternal, has been contaminated by capitalism, instilling the ‘false consciousness’ of bourgeoisie values. Revolutionary socialism, however, will repair this.

Question 2

What do Marx and Engels think about the state?

Answer 2

The existing liberal-bourgeoisie state is a tool of the dominant capitalist class; it must be destroyed by revolution and replaced by a new socialist state: the dictatorship of the proletariat

Question 3

What do Marx and Engels think about society?

Answer 3

Capitalist society is sickeningly, yet fatally, defined by class interests and class conflict. A communist society will be the perfect ‘end of history’

Question 4

What do Marx and Engels think about the economy?

Answer 4

Capitalism is corrupt, inefficient and ultimately self-destructive. It should- and will be- replaced by an economy based on collective ownership

Question 5

What does Rosa Luxemburg think about human nature?

Answer 5

Human nature has not been damaged to the extent Marx alleged. Altruism and fraternalism still flourish in working class communities punished by capitalist economics

Question 6

What does Rosa Luxemburg think about the state?

Answer 6

The existing capitalist state must be destroyed by revolution, but one arising from strike action. The replacement state should be a genuine democracy, complete with free speech and free elections

Question 7

What does Rosa Luxemburg think about society?

Answer 7

Capitalist society is class-ridden and morally indefensible, yet alternative societies, or sub cultures, exist within downtrodden proletarian communities

Question 8

What does Rosa Luxemburg think about the economy?

Answer 8

Capitalism is more resilient than Marx allowed. Its necessary destruction, and replacement by an economy based on worker’s control, will require determination and solidarity among the proletariat

Question 9

What does Beatrice Webb think about human nature?

Answer 9

The damage inflicted by capitalism upon the human psyche will be compounded only by violent revolution. Humanity needs to be guided back, gradually, to its original, cooperative condition.

Question 10

What does Beatrice Webb think about the state?

Answer 10

If harnessed to universal suffrage, could be used to effect a gradual transition to socialism

Question 11

What does Beatrice Webb think about society?

Answer 11

The poverty and inequalities of a capitalist society continue to depress human potential while fostering regressive progression

Question 12

What does Beatrice Webb think about the economy?

Answer 12

A chaotic capitalist economy will be gradually replaced by one which secures workers the full fruits of their labour, based upon a common ownership of the means of production

Question 13

What does Anthony Crosland think about human nature?

Answer 13

Human nature has a powerful sense of ‘fairness’ and an innate objection to huge inequalities of outcome

Question 14

What does Anthony Crosland think about the state?

Answer 14

Democratic socialist governments (for example, Labour 1945-1951) prove that the existing state can be used to effect, radical, socialist change

Question 15

What does Anthony Crosland think about society?

Answer 15

Society is increasingly complicated, altered by the emergence of new social groups comprising ‘meritocratic’ managers and ‘classness’ technocrats

Question 16

What does Anthony Crosland think about the economy?

Answer 16

A mixed economy, underpinned by limited public ownership and Keynesian capitalism, will finance the greater public spending necessary to secure equality

Question 17

What does Anthony Giddens think about human nature?

Answer 17

Human nature has been shaped by changing socio-economic conditions. The pro-fairness instinct is still present, but it now competes with a sharped sense of individual aspiration

Question 18

What does Anthony Giddens think about the state?

Answer 18

The existing liberal state should be improved, redistributing and decentralising political power while encouraging greater political participation

Question 19

What does Anthony Giddens think about society?

Answer 19

Society has undergone embourgeoisement- egalitarians must harness, rather than deny these forces

Question 20

What does Anthony Giddens think about the economy?

Answer 20

A neo-liberal economy, propelled by privatisation and deregulation, will provide huge tax yields. This will finance huge increases in public spending, which will secure greater equality of opportunity

Question 21

What does Thomas Hobbes think about human nature?

Answer 21

Cynical: individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security

Question 22

What does Thomas Hobbes think about the state?

Answer 22

The state arises ‘contractually’ from individuals who seek order and security. To serve its purpose, the state must be aristocratic

Question 23

What does Thomas Hobbes think about society?

Answer 23

There can be no ‘society’ until law and order is established. Until then, life is ‘nasty, brutish and short’

Question 24

What does Thomas Hobbes think about the economy?

Answer 24

Constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order

Question 25

What does Edmund Burke think about human nature?

Answer 25

Sceptical: the ‘crooked timber of humanity’ is marked by a gap between aspiration and achievement. We may conceive of perfection but we are unable to achieve it

Question 26

What does Edmund Burke think about the state?

Answer 26

The state arises organically and should be aristocratic, driven by a hereditary elite, reared to rule in the interests of all

Question 27

What does Edmund Burke think about society?

Answer 27

Society is organic and multi-faceted, made up of small communities and organisations (‘little platoons’)

Question 28

What does Edmund Burke think about the economy?

Answer 28

Trade should involve ‘organic’ free markets and laissez-faire capitalism

Question 29

What does Michael Oakeshott think about human nature?

Answer 29

Modest: humanity is at its best when they are staying to their everyday life

Question 30

What does Michael Oakeshott think about the state?

Answer 30

The state should be guided by tradition and practical concerns, underlined by pragmatism

Question 31

What does Michael Oakeshott think about society?

Answer 31

Localised communities are essential to humanity’s survival, especially when guided by short-term aims

Question 32

What does Michael Oakeshott think about the economy?

Answer 32

Free markets are volatile and unpredictable, and may require pragmatic moderation by the state

Question 33

What does Ayn Rand think about human nature?

Answer 33

Objectivist: We are guided by rational self-interest and the pursuit of self-fulfilment

Question 34

What does Ayn Rand think about the state?

Answer 34

The state should stick to law, order and national security. Any attempt to promote ‘positive liberty’ through further state intervention should be restricted

Question 35

What does Ayn Rand think about society?

Answer 35

Society is atomistic and is made up of mere individuals. Any attempt to challenge this should be challenged

Question 36

What does Ayn Rand think about the economy?

Answer 36

Free-market capitalism shouldn’t be hindered by the state- it's an expression of objectivist individualism

Question 37

What does Robert Nozick think about human nature?

Answer 37

Egotistical: individuals are driven by a quest for self-ownership allowing them to realise their full potential

Question 38

What does Robert Nozick think about the state?

Answer 38

The minarchist state should reallocate resources to private companies providing public services

Question 39

What does Robert Nozick think about society?

Answer 39

Society should be geared to individual self-fulfilment, leading to a plethora of small, variable communities reflecting their members’ diverse tastes and philosophies

Question 40

What does Robert Nozick think about the economy?

Answer 40

The state should detach itself from a privatised and deregulated economy, arbitrating disputes between private economic organisations

Question 41

What does Benjamin Disraeli think about human nature?

Answer 41

Inherently unequal, but people have moral duties, especially the elite. He believed the upper classes had a responsibility to lead and care for others

Question 42

What does Benjamin Disraeli think about the state?

Answer 42

Strong, paternalistic state that preserves tradition and promotes national unity. It should act as a guardian of social order and moral values

Question 43

What does Benjamin Disraeli think about society?

Answer 43

Hierarchical, but society should be unified through social reform ("One Nation"). He aimed to bridge the gap between rich and poor to prevent division

Question 44

What does Benjamin Disraeli think about the economy?

Answer 44

Mixed economy with limited intervention to protect the poor and prevent unrest. He believed laissez-faire capitalism could harm national cohesion

Question 45

What do traditional conservatives think about human nature?

Answer 45

Human imperfection. Human nature is flawed, limited, and driven by self-interest. People need authority, structure, and tradition to control their impulses

Question 46

What do traditional conservatives think about the state?

Answer 46

The state should be strong, stable, and preserve law, order, and tradition. It exists to maintain continuity and prevent societal breakdown

Question 47

What do traditional conservatives think about society?

Answer 47

Society is naturally hierarchical and organic, evolving over time. Each class and institution has a role, and sudden change is dangerous

Question 48

What do traditional conservatives think about the economy?

Answer 48

Laissez faire. Support for a capitalist economy, but with caution to avoid rapid change or social disruption. The economy should serve social stability, not just profit

Question 49

What do one nation conservatives think about human nature?

Answer 49

Humans are unequal in ability but share a common moral responsibility to care for one another. One Nation Conservatives believe in duty, obligation, and social responsibility

Question 50

What do one nation conservatives think about the state?

Answer 50

The state should play an active role in uniting the nation and reducing social divisions. It must govern in the interests of all, especially the poor and working class

Question 51

What do one nation conservatives think about society?

Answer 51

Organic society. Society is made up of individual organs that combine and depend on one another in order to survive

Question 52

What do one nation conservatives think about the economy?

Answer 52

Mixed economy. Support for a mixed economy with some state intervention to promote social welfare and reduce inequality. Economic policy should avoid extremes and protect national unity

Question 53

What do new right conservatives think about human nature?

Answer 53

People are rational, self-interested, and driven by self-fulfilment. They flourish when given freedom and responsibility, not when dependent on the state

Question 54

What do new right conservatives think about the state?

Answer 54

The state should be limited in size and interfere as little as possible in people's lives. However, it must be strong in enforcing law, order, and national sovereignty

Question 55

What do new right conservatives think about society?

Answer 55

Society is best maintained through traditional values like family, religion, and authority. Social order is upheld through moral guidance and personal responsibility, not welfare