SDS131R Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Social Contract, Anthony Quinton, Blue Tory

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Social Development Studies
• Course: SDS131R
• Professor: Theresa Romkey

Document Summary

Conservatives share a desire to conserve or preserve something, usually the traditional or customary way of life of their society. Share some ideas with classical liberalism but also rejects some of classical liberalism. Replace the social contract with custom and convention, replace rights with obligations, replace individualism with organic whole of the society. Want a strong (but small) government to restrain the passions of the people. Co(cid:374)ser(cid:448)atis(cid:373) so(cid:373)eti(cid:373)es (cid:272)alled (cid:862)the politi(cid:272)al philosoph(cid:455) of i(cid:373)perfe(cid:272)tio(cid:374)(cid:863) We are not just intellectually imperfect, we are morally imperfect. To think that radical change in society or economic systems will shift our human nature is foolish and dangerous. Restraint through the government but also institutions (religion, family, education) that teach us self-restraint, we use these institutions to civilize children and adults. Not focused on egalitarian beliefs or distributive justice. Best society is one steeped in tradition and where change occurs very slowly.