5.2 Liberalism tensions Flashcards
1
Q
2
Describe the emergence of the liberal branches
A
- Classical - emerged during enlightenment (17th and 18th Centuries)
- Modern - emerged after WW2
2
Q
2
Which areas do liberal broadly agree/disagree on?
A
- Agree - human nature, society
- Disagree - state, economy
3
Q
5
Describe unity on human nature among liberals
A
- Both hold positive view of human nature
- All agree with Locke that individuals are born with natural rights that require protection and formal equality under law
- Agree on Locke’s tolerance in society, which supports liberty for all (harm principle)
- Women are as rational as men and require enfranchisement + equality of opportunity in public sphere
- Share concerns over popular democracy
4
Q
3
List the areas of disagreement on human nature among liberals
A
- Type of individualism
- Type of freedom
- Democracy
5
Q
5
Describe classical liberal views on human nature (individualism)
A
- Egotistical individualism governs human nature
- Atomistic society - view human nature as much more individualistic
- Therefore struggle to see human nature as striving for common good
- Formal equality
- Individual’s capability for rationality means that they succeed or fail due to own efforts
6
Q
3
Describe classical liberal views on human nature (freedom)
A
- Negative freedom
- Human nature succeeds with freedom from oppressive government and laws
- Role of state should be limited to rule of law and protecting property rights
7
Q
6
Describe modern liberal views on human nature (individualism)
A
- Developmental - prioritises common good over self-interest
- There exists a common good
- Rawls’ social justice suggests a more collective human nature, focusing on individuals’ connection to society
- For formal equality to exist, there must be equality of opportunity to facilitate development individualism
- Counters idea that individual success due to own efforts
- Expressed in Rawls’ 3 principles of justice
8
Q
4
Describe modern liberal views on human nature (freedom)
A
- Positive freedom
- Enabling state needed to assist individuals in reaching full potential
- Criticised classical liberalism for being primarily concerned about men
- Rawls supportive of ideas such as affirmative action
9
Q
7
Describe unity on the role of the state among liberals
A
- All accept Locke’s social contract
- Agreement on constitutionalism to define state autonomy and prevent centralism
- Separation of powers
- Mechanist theory of state - not organic, but created by individuals
- Some form of democracy (against monarchies)
- Foundational and formal equality should be enshrined into constitution
- State should promote rule of law, individualism and liberty
10
Q
3
List the areas of disagreement on the state among liberals
A
- Size of state
- Type of democracy
- Economic model of state
11
Q
4
Describe classical liberal views on the size of the state
A
- Minimal state
- Limited to maintaining law and order, preventing foreign invasion, harm principle, protecting private property rights (‘life, liberty and property’)
- Locke and Mill believed state should play nightwatchmen role
- Informed by negative liberty
12
Q
4
Describe modern liberal views on the size of the state
A
- Enabling state
- State intervention to create conditions where individuals could help themselves
- e.g. state-education system, healthcare, welfare
- Accept required taxation to allow development individualism via positive freedom
13
Q
1
Describe disunity on democracy among liberals
A
- Differ on how to deal with conflict between popular democracy and individual rights
14
Q
6
Describe classical liberal views on democracy
A
- Popular democracy stifles individualism by valuing majority
- Mill and Locke favoured RD with limited suffrage
- e.g. electoral college in USA
- Mill adovcated plural voting for educated elites to counteract single votes of largely uneducated populous
- These individuals would represent everyone’s best interests
- Would control ‘tyranny of majority’
15
Q
3
Describe modern liberal views on democracy
A
- RD based on universal suffrage for men and women
- Would more aptly prevent ‘tyranny of the majority’
- Greater participation advances self-development (developmental democracy)
16
Q
5
Describe unity on society among liberals
A
- Society should allow individuals to flourish
- Ideal society has individualism co-existing with tolerance and self-improvement
- Society should be based on constitutionalism
- Foundational equality
- Society predates state and only exists once society grants consent
17
Q
List the areas of disunity on society among liberals
A
- Freedom - state role in equality
- Rights
18
Q
3
Describe classical liberal criticism of positive liberty
A
- Increased intervention is infringement of freedom
- Enabling state must tax individuals
- Enabling state reduces self-reliance and creates dependency culture
19
Q
3
Describe modern liberal criticism of negative liberty in respect to society
A
- JSM argued negative freedom does not account for social disadvantage - stifled individual freedom
- Rawls’ advocated increased social justice where poverty, inequality and discrim in society would be tackled by the state
- Required increased state spending to fund enabling welfare state
20
Q
4
Describe classical liberal views on rights
A
- Foundational equality
- Natural rights of society predate state
- In natural society, humankind will obey natural laws due to rationality
- Natural laws ensure tolerance in society
21
Q
2
Describe modern liberal views on rights
A
- MW and Friedan felt society needed to be reformed to extend equality for women
- MW: patriarchal society ‘infantilised’ women and inhibited female individualism
22
Q
5
Describe unity on the economy among liberals
A
- Private property (see other card)
- Free markets promote economic activity and best way to create wealth
- Removal of tariffs maximise wealth
- Individuals will rationally pursue self-interest in free market
- Capitalism leads to unequal outcomes for individuals
23
Q
3
Describe unity on private property among liberals
A
- Both influenced by Locke’s idea that state should respect ‘natural right’ to private property e.g. Rawls property owning democracy
- Private property an essential tenet to freedom
- Protects individual from state
24
Q
2
List areas of disunity on the economy among liberals
A
- Laissez faire v Keynesianism
- Taxation
25
# 3
Describe classical liberal support for laissez-faire capitalism
* State rarely justified in interfering in economic activity (save for controlling monopolies)
* Taxes and regulations hinder economic growth
* Subsidies distort free market
26
# 2
Describe modern liberal criticism of laissez-faire capitalism
* Can lead to exploitation, deprivation
* Accentuates inequality
27
# 3
Describe modern liberal support for Keynesianism
* General state management of economic cycle to negate effects of recessions
* Maintains full employment and price stability
* Assist developmental individualism and social justice
28
# 2
Describe classical liberal criticism of Keynesianism
* Critical of supposed efficacy of Keynesian economics
* State ill-equipped to plan or intervene in economy
29
# 5
Describe classical liberal views on taxation
* Taxes would hinder econ development/growth
* ideological opposition to compulsory welfare taxation
* Erodes egotistical individualism
* Leads to dependency culture
* Excessive welfare spending leads to unmanageable levels of debt that risk bankruptcy
30
# 2
Describe classical liberal's ideological opposition to compulsory welfare taxation
* individuals can opt out of services provides
* individuals cannot opt out of taxation
31
# 2
Describe modern liberal views on taxation
* Rawls argued for individual/corporate taxation to fund state-managed welfare provisions
* Would aid developmental individualism
32
# 3
Describe liberal branches' views on supranational organisations
* Modern liberal belief in modern capitalism saw growth of supranational entities (e.g. EU)
* Classical liberals argue they are obstacle to global free trade
* Incompatible with classical liberal idea of limited state involvement in economy
