Conservatism: Practice Questions

• a.Organic society
• b.Social contract
• c.Mechanistic theory
• d.Atomism

• a.

  Since humans are naturally cooperative and altruistic, authority is only required to manage the complex logistics of the organic economy.

• b.

  Because humans are rational and self-sufficient, authority should only exist to protect the principle of universal suffrage and social justice.

• c.

  Because humans are needy, vulnerable, and easily led astray, an absolute sovereign is required to provide the order necessary for a safe life.

• d.

  As humans are primarily driven by the desire for tradition, authority must be used to prevent any form of technological or economic progress.

• a.To protect the natural property rights of the individual from state overreach.
• b.Because humans are needy and vulnerable, and without order, life would be 'nasty, brutish, and short'.
• c.To facilitate a democratic process where all citizens have an equal vote.
• d.To ensure that the 'organic' traditions of the past are never changed.

• a.A concern with the fear of social fragmentation and a commitment to anti-permissiveness.
• b.A focus on rational self-interest as the only guide for moral and economic action.
• c.A belief in atomistic individualism where individuals define their own moral values.
• d.The promotion of a permissive society to encourage individual freedom in all areas.

• a.Moral imperfection
• b.Atomistic imperfection
• c.Psychological imperfection
• d.Intellectual imperfection

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.