2. What are the core ideas and principles of liberalism Flashcards
what are the core ideas of liberalism
- freedom
- individualism
- rationalism
- equality
- tolerance
- limited government
- liberal democracy
what is freedom
the ability to act without restraint
what is negative freedom
the freedom from interference by other people
what is positive freedom
the ability to act and achieve your potential, even in the face of societal limitations
what is collectivism
Collectivism – limits are placed on individual freedom in order to pursue “the common good” e.g. NHS
which kind of liberals supported the use of some liberalism and why
Modern liberals have supported the use of some collectivist measures, like the NHS, to give the poorest more freedom
what did liberals think about individualism
individuals should be left as free as possible to pursue their own self interest e.g. online privacy (liberals are still generally sceptical of claims that individual freedom should be sacrificed for the collective ‘common good’)
what is rationalism
the principle that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than religious belief or emotional response
what is reason
the power to think, understand and form judgements logically
what did Locke argue humans were at birth
Locke argued that we are born as a blank piece of paper on which knowledge was written based on our experiences
what did pre-enlightenment thinkers believe about humans at birth
believed that humans were born with “innate knowledge”, likely given to us by god
“______ must be our last _____ and _____ in everything” – John Locke
“Reason must be our last judge and guide in everything” – John Locke
what is liberals view on human nature
Liberals ultimately have an optimistic view of human nature – with increased education, rational humans have the potential to learn, grow, and bring about progress and positive change
what is foundational equality
the idea, irrespective of biological or social characteristics, we are born with ‘equal moral worth’
what are natural rights
legal rights are bestowed by the government, but natural rights predate systems of government, and belong to all people from birth, simply by being human
what is formal equality
the idea that all people should have the same legal and political rights in society – all people must be equal before the law and cannot be denied political rights like the vote
what was the liberal belief of tolerance
If Locke wanted others to respect his right to life, liberty, and property, then, logically, he also had to respect theirs. He had to allow other rational individuals to make their own choices, and determine their own fate. This included tolerating other people’s religious views – ending the violence triggered by the reformation
what is the divine right of kings
the idea that the monarch derives their right to rule with absolute power directly from god
what did Locke argue a government need to make them legitimate
the consent of the people
what is the social contract
Social contract – a real or hypothetical agreement between the people and their rulers
- The people agree to surrender some of the freedom they enjoyed in a state of nature and submit to a ruler who, in exchange, will protect and enforce their remaining sights
what did liberals want to protect our rights from the state
- Constitutions that separated power into multiple branches, and established clear checks and balances
- An independent and neutral judiciary, that could uphold the rule of law
- A Bill of Rights, to entrench our most fundamental rights
what is the mechanistic theory
liberals see the state as like a machine, created to protect the rights and liberties of individuals
what is liberalism
- freedom, rights, equality
- constitution – clear limits on government power
- protected individual rights and liberties
what is democracy
- Rule by the people
- Regular and fair elections with universal suffrage
- Representatives decide issues by majority rule
what is majoritarianism
a belief in the majority rule
what is the danger with majoritarianism
can pose a threat to the rights of outvoted minorities
