3 Liberal thinkers and their ideas

Question 1

John Locke (1632-1704)

Answer 1

• Social contract theory - society, state and government
  are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement.
• Limited government – that government should be limited
  and based on consent from below.

Question 2

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–97)

Answer 2

• Reason – women are rational and independent beings
  capable of reason.
• Formal equality – in order to be free, women should
  enjoy full civil liberties and be allowed to have a career.

Question 3

John Stuart Mill (1806-73)

Answer 3

• Harm principle – that individuals should be free to do
  anything except harm other individuals.
• Tolerance – belief that the popularity of a view does not
  necessarily make it correct.

Question 4

John Rawls (1921-2002)

Answer 4

• Theory of justice – opinion that society must be just and
  guarantee each citizen a life worth living.
• The veil of ignorance – a hypothetical scenario where
  individuals agree on the type of society they want from a
  position where they lack knowledge of their own position
  in society.

Question 5

Betty Friedan (1921-2006)

Answer 5

• Legal equality – women are as capable as men and that
  oppressive laws and social views must be overturned.
• Equal opportunity – women are being held back from
  their potential because of the limited number of jobs
  that are ‘acceptable’ for women.

Question 6

KEY TERMINOLOGY - Harm principle

Answer 6

– that individuals should be free to do
anything except harm other individuals.

Question 7

KEY TERMINOLOGY - Minimal State

Answer 7

that government should be limited
and based on consent from below.

Question 8

KEY TERMINOLOGY - Enabling state

Answer 8

Those who are disadvantaged within society require a degree of state assistance in order to truly experience a life of liberty.