3. What are the core ideas of classical liberalism

Question 1

what is negative freedom

Answer 1

Negative freedom – freedom from outside interference

• If there are laws that criminalise something you would like to do or if someone physically blocks or restrains you, this affects your negative freedom

Question 2

what was JS Mill’s book

Answer 2

‘On Liberty’ (1859)

Question 3

what is JS Mill’s ‘Harm Principle’

Answer 3

Mill thought the only time someone’s freedom should be restricted is when they are harming someone else’s

Question 4

what is JS Mill’s quote on the ‘Harm Principle’

Answer 4

“…the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others”

Question 5

what are self-regarding actions

Answer 5

Self-regarding actions – actions that do not impact the freedom of others – e.g. freed speech, religion, and worship (the state cannot justifiably intervene)

Question 6

what are other regarding actions

Answer 6

Other regarding actions – Actions that clearly do limit the freedom of others – e.g. violent behaviour (the state can intervene here)

Question 7

Why did Mill argue that self and other regarding actions should be treated differently?

Answer 7

Mill claimed that state interference was unacceptable even when self-regarding actions were harmful…

“His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right…”

“Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign”

Question 8

what was JS Mill’s quote about the individual

Answer 8

“Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign”

Question 9

What are negative rights?

Answer 9

Negative rights are about being left alone to make your own choices, as long as you don’t harm others

e.g. free speech, privacy, property etc.

Question 10

Why did Mill believe that freedom of speech was so important?

Answer 10

“if all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.”

Question 11

What is utilitarianism?

Answer 11

The greatest good for the greatest number

Question 12

What is egoistical individualism?

Answer 12

Egoistical individualism:
- sees individuals as primarily concerned with pursuing their own self-interest, owing little or nothing to society
- Society should leave individuals free to choose their own lifestyle and decide how best to use their talent

Question 13

Why are classical liberals said to have had an atomistic view of society?

Answer 13

Just as all matter in the universe is composed of individual atoms so too is society no more than a collection of self-interested individual people

Question 14

What is a minimal/night-watchman state?

Answer 14

Minimal state – a small state largely consisting of a military for common defence, and a police force and court system to enforce negative rights

Also called a night-watchman state – standing watch like a guard to enforce property rights, rather than providing welfare and public services

Question 15

What is laissez-faire economics?

Answer 15

Laissez-faire is French for ‘let do’, as on ‘let people do as they choose, as they think best’

• Classical liberals wanted as few state regulations, subsidies and taxes as possible
• All limited negative freedom, and all were argued to undermine the effectiveness of the free market

Question 16

what was Adam Smith’s book called

Answer 16

The Wealth of Nations (1776)

Question 17

Why did Adam Smith believe that, if left alone, the economy would be guided by an ‘invisible hand’?

Answer 17

Government didn’t need to manage the economy because if individuals were left to pursue their own self-interest, the economy would become guided by…

The ‘Invisible hand’:

• Increased demand –> sends signals to –> increase supply
• Shortages –> sends signals to –> raise prices
• New competition –> sends signals to –> cut costs
• Unfilled vacancies –> sends signals to –> increase wages

Question 18

what was John Locke’s book called

Answer 18

Two Treatises of Government (1689)

Question 19

Why did Locke believe that private property was a natural right?

Answer 19

“God gave the world to men in common; but since he gave it them for their benefit, and the greatest conveniences of life they were capable to draw from it, it cannot be supposed he meant it should always remain common and uncultivated”

Question 20

what is equality of outcome

Answer 20

Equality of outcome – when everyone has the same wealth, income, and standards of living (liberals argue that this is not possible/ desirable, everyone has different talents/ work ethic)

Question 21

what is equality of opportunity

Answer 21

Equality of opportunity – where everyone has a fair chance to succeed – outcomes reflect talent and effort (classical and modern liberals have very different ideas about what constitutes a fair chance)

Question 22

what is formal equality of opportunity

Answer 22

Formal equality of opportunity:

Non-discrimination – talented individuals should not be prevented from succeeding because of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation etc.

Question 23

What is a meritocracy?

Answer 23

Meritocracy – a society in which jobs and power are rewarded on the basis of merit – people at the top should be the most talented, not just the wealthiest/ best connected

Question 24

What is social Darwinism?

Answer 24

Social Darwinism:

• Charles Darwin proposed a theory that species undergo physical and mental changes that help some to survive and make it harder for others
• ‘Natural selection’ decides which species survive, and which do not
• Some liberals used this theory to argue that inequality is natural and inevitable – talented hard workers will inevitably end up with more