9.3 - Liberalism Core Ideas - Individualism Flashcards
What do liberals believe it is of paramount importance that should be protected?
The individual rights and freedoms above any claims by the state or groupings within society
What did classical liberal John Locke focus on?
The individual rights of man
What was John Locke’s believe in foundational equality?
That man’s natural state was one of freedom and in particular freedom from unnecessary external interference by the state
How did John Locke and John Stuart Mill (JSM) view human intellect and nature?
They viewed individuals as capable of intellectually informed ideas but as self-interested and mutually indifferent to each other
What do modern liberals argue about classical liberalism?
That classical liberalism underplays the inequality of society
What modern liberal argued that one’s societal position and particular circumstance (race, gender, class) were of huge importance in determining whether an individual thrived or underachieved in society?
John Rawls
What do modern liberals believe about the negative freedom practised by classical liberalism?
That it exacerbates inequalities rather than addressing them
What is egotistical individualism?
The belief that individual freedom is associated with a rational sense of self-reliance and self-interest
Classical Liberalism attitude towards individualism
Classical Liberalism attitude towards individualism
What do classical liberals believe an individual’s primary motivation is for?
Egotistical individualism - concerned with maximising their own utility so that they can thrive to the best of their ability
What do classical liberals believe about the freedom of the individual?
It is sacrosanct
What do classical liberals believe society should be?
Atomistic - a collection of autonomous individuals
What do classical liberals believe the role of the state should be?
State should be small, limited to maintaining law and order and protecting society from invasion, so it does not infringe on individual freedom and respects formal equality
What is the belief in formal equality?
The belief that every individual is entitled to equal treatment in society
What is in the American Declaration of Independence which is influenced by classical liberalism?
‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’
