Without authority, there would be a state of nature in which violence and injustice were commonplace.
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Social Contract - Thomas Hobbes
Without authority, "life would be solitary, poor, nasty and brutish"
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Conservatives
They view authority as arising from an unequal distribution of wisdom, experience and social standing. No limits or checks are necessary.
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Conservatives - Roger Scruton
"Authority is a natural necessity and those who exercise it do so on behalf of others"
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Marxists
Understand that there is a need for an ordered society but not based on the 'inquitus authority' (grossly unfair and morally wrong) that is typified by liberal democratic regimes.
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Marxists - Friedrich Engels
He felt that authority is necessary in the transition and revolution of society and ultimately should rest in the true interests of society.
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Liberals
Authority isinstrumental as it arises from the consent of those being governed. It needs to be limited, rational, purposeful and accountable.
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Liberals - John Locke
The state must protect the natural rights of citizens. He favoured a system of "government by consent" - consent can be given (thus authority being gained) by the property-owning classes.
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Anarchists and Libertarians
Authority is the opposite of freedom. It is morally corrupting as it encourages individuals to learn how to control and dominate others.
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Anarchists - Mikhail Bakunin
He believed that authority is natural law that exists within the individual and that there is no way of breaking it. Society is rational so there is no need for the state. Other forms of authority are unnatural and try to restrict natural law.
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Authoritarians
Authority brings identity, stability and reassurance. If it were to collapse, it would likely lead to a totalitarian regime.
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Authoritarians - Hannah Arendt
Authority is placed at the top to help those at the bottom but warns that any collapse in such moral and social behaviours will damage stability and leave the system open to abuse from dictatorships.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Without authority, "life would be solitary, poor, nasty and brutish"
Back
Social Contract - Thomas Hobbes
Card 3
Front
They view authority as arising from an unequal distribution of wisdom, experience and social standing. No limits or checks are necessary.
Back
Card 4
Front
"Authority is a natural necessity and those who exercise it do so on behalf of others"
Back
Card 5
Front
Understand that there is a need for an ordered society but not based on the 'inquitus authority' (grossly unfair and morally wrong) that is typified by liberal democratic regimes.
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