2. What are the core ideas and principles of liberalism

Question 1

what are the core ideas of liberalism

Answer 1

• freedom
• individualism
• rationalism
• equality
• tolerance
• limited government
• liberal democracy

Question 2

what is freedom

Answer 2

the ability to act without restraint

Question 3

what is negative freedom

Answer 3

the freedom from interference by other people

Question 4

what is positive freedom

Answer 4

the ability to act and achieve your potential, even in the face of societal limitations

Question 5

what is collectivism

Answer 5

Collectivism – limits are placed on individual freedom in order to pursue “the common good” e.g. NHS

Question 6

which kind of liberals supported the use of some liberalism and why

Answer 6

Modern liberals have supported the use of some collectivist measures, like the NHS, to give the poorest more freedom

Question 7

what did liberals think about individualism

Answer 7

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’)

Question 8

what is rationalism

Answer 8

the principle that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than religious belief or emotional response

Question 9

what is reason

Answer 9

the power to think, understand and form judgements logically

Question 10

what did Locke argue humans were at birth

Answer 10

Locke argued that we are born as a blank piece of paper on which knowledge was written based on our experiences

Question 11

what did pre-enlightenment thinkers believe about humans at birth

Answer 11

believed that humans were born with “innate knowledge”, likely given to us by god

Question 12

“______ must be our last _____ and _____ in everything” – John Locke

Answer 12

“Reason must be our last judge and guide in everything” – John Locke

Question 13

what is liberals view on human nature

Answer 13

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

Question 14

what is foundational equality

Answer 14

the idea, irrespective of biological or social characteristics, we are born with ‘equal moral worth’

Question 15

what are natural rights

Answer 15

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

Question 16

what is formal equality

Answer 16

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

Question 17

what was the liberal belief of tolerance

Answer 17

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

Question 18

what is the divine right of kings

Answer 18

the idea that the monarch derives their right to rule with absolute power directly from god

Question 19

what did Locke argue a government need to make them legitimate

Answer 19

the consent of the people

Question 20

what is the social contract

Answer 20

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

Question 21

what did liberals want to protect our rights from the state

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

what is the mechanistic theory

Answer 22

liberals see the state as like a machine, created to protect the rights and liberties of individuals

Question 23

what is liberalism

Answer 23

• freedom, rights, equality
• constitution – clear limits on government power
• protected individual rights and liberties

Question 24

what is democracy

Answer 24

• Rule by the people
• Regular and fair elections with universal suffrage
• Representatives decide issues by majority rule

Question 25

what is majoritarianism

Answer 25

a belief in the majority rule

Question 26

what is the danger with majoritarianism

Answer 26

can pose a threat to the rights of outvoted minorities