AO1: For most conservatives such especially the one nation element the state is a force in society for stability as it can help to prevent harmful divisions. AO2: We thus see a clear strand in conservatism for the positive and progressive use of the state to prevent division and provide much needed relief for those in hardship. This is often termed 'paternalism' where the state acts as a kind benefactor AO3: Burke would agree with this view of the state especially with the need for the state to avoid extremes which may lead to tyranny if the power of the state is abused - a fact he felt had occurred in the French Revolution. A fear of revolution and the overthrow of an established state is to be avoided - Hobbes would say a bad state is better than no state at all. AO1: Burke would further develop his view of the state and compare it to a living body - termed an organic view of the state AO2: Burke and like minded conservatives such as Oakeshott hold the state in esteem. They view it as vulnerable - and fragile especially damaged by any radical change. Oakeshott stressing that life is a journey without a necessary fixed utopian desination. AO3: Hence for this aspect of conservatism the state has to be guarded and passed intact form one generation to the next. Some limited change is possible for the state but only where pragmatic and brought about incrementally. Hence the traditions of the state's past is the core wisdom to carry it forward. AO1: All conservatives see the essential need for law and order to maintain civil society. This is a consistent view of all conservatives AO2: We can assert that all conservatives see the state as the highest sovereign body in society. There to prevent individuals harming one another, there to uphold the smooth flow of business and finally there to protect the people against foreign aggression AO3: Thus we arrive at the conclusion that the state is an absolute necessity for life and society to function. Conservatives fear anarchy and breakdown and the finest bulwark against this is the state. If it does not fulfil these key functions there will be breakdown.

AO1: Ambiguity towards the state from conservatives emerges with an inherent fear of the state. AO2: Many conservatives see the state as a limiting and damaging force. This view is presented by Ayn Rand who viewed state activity as corrosive. She was against all forms of state help to the vulnerable in society AO3: The position of Ayn Rand is at odds with the views held by one nation conservatives who see the amelioration of wealth at the margins as a desirable thing. For Ayn Rand and this strand of conservatism selfishness and personal gain is to be welcomed and any form of altruism engineered by the state is to be avoided. AO1: Robert Nozick further exemplified a negative view of the state for conservatives. AO2: Nozick's view of conservatism was based on libertarianism. Essentially this does not see the state as the highest authority in society but rather the individual is paramount. He argued for a minimal state which had very little control over an individual in society. AO3: This conservative view of the state stands in stark contrast to that envisaged by one nation conservatives. The state has to withdraw as far as possible from the lives of individuals - no taxation, no entitlement of citizen from the state and people have to be 'self-supporting' and rely on their own endeavours. AO1: The New Right throws further ambiguity on conservative attitudes towards the state. AO2: If we analyse this issue we can see the problem which it presents. The New Right is composed of two core elements, neo-liberals and neo-conservatives. Neo-liberals wish to see the roll back of the state and to reduce its spending and involvement in society favouring laissez faire economics. By contrast the neo-conservatives wish to see the state roll forward its control in people's lives especially in a moral sense. AO3: Hence this clearly illustrates the ambiguity in conservative attitude towards the state, for even the New Right itself is fundamentally divided. In the UK Thatcherism was an attempt to combine both elements of the New Right with a mixture of policies towards the state - a freer economy but a more authoritarian state over individual moral choices. However this is covering over what we have to conclude as a false dichotomy