9.5 - Key Liberal Thinkers Flashcards
What is the view on human nature according to Locke?
Humans are guided by self-interest but are concerned for others.
What is the view on human nature according to Wollstonecraft?
Both men and women are capable of rational thought.
What is the view on human nature according to J.S. Mill?
Human nature is rational but not fixed.
Capable of progressing to higher levels.
What is the view on human nature according to Rawls?
Humans can be selfish.
However, they are sympathetic to those less fortunate than them.
What is the view on human nature according to Friedan?
Culture has evolved to where human nature is patriarchal and discriminatory.
What is the view on the state according to Locke?
State should only govern by consent.
What is the view on the state according to Wollstonecraft?
Monarchical states should be replaced by republics that entrench women’s rights.
What is the view on the state according to J.S. Mill?
The state should be representative and mindful of minority rights.
What is the view on the state according to Rawls?
Enabling states will assist developmental individualism via public spend.
What is the view on the state according to Friedan?
The state should intervene in the public sphere to prevent female discrimination.
What is the view on society according to Locke?
Natural laws and rights predate the state.
What is the view on society according to Wollstonecraft?
Society ‘infantilised’ women which inhibited female individualism.
What is the view on society according to J.S. Mill?
Individuality should coexist with tolerance and self-improvement.
What is the view on society according to Rawls?
‘Veil of ignorance’ argued that individuals would choose a society that offered opportunities for the less fortunate.
What is the view on society according to Friedan?
Society is patriarchal and needs reformation.
What is the view on the economy according to Locke?
Private property is a natural right.
The state should arbritrate between individuals competing for trade.
What is the view on the economy according to Wollstonecraft?
Liberated women thrive and enhance the free-market.
What is the view on the economy according to J.S. Mill?
Laissez-faire capitalism promotes both individual initiative and progress.
What is the view on the economy according to Rawls?
The state’s obligation to disadvantaged citizens should temper free-market capitalism.
What is the view on the economy according to Friedan?
Liberated women would thrive and enhance the free-market economy.
What is John Locke’s key work?
‘Two Treatises of Government’ (1689)
When was Locke alive?
1632 - 1704
What were Locke’s main ideas?
- The state was not created by God. The monarchy is not legitimised by ‘divine right of kings’. The state is created via a social contract.
- Humans existed in a state of nature prior to the state. The human race is underpinned by natural laws, liberties and rights.
- The ‘state of law’ envisaged would see the state resolving disputes better than in a state of nature.
- The state should be limited in how it interferes in society and economy.
- Tolerance both religiously and politically.
What were Mill’s ideas?
- Restraint by the state (harm principle)
- Distinction between ‘self-regarding’ actions (not impinging on the freedom of others) and ‘other regarding’ actions (doing harm to others)
- Tolerant of diverse opinions.
- Individual liberty is essential for the development of the individual.
- Opposition to popular democracy due to ‘tyranny of the majority’.
- Some intervention to attain developmental individualism.
What is Mill’s main work?
‘On Liberty’ (1859)
When was Mill alive?
1806 - 73
What was Mary Wollstonecraft alive?
1759 - 97
What was Mary Wollstonecraft’s main work?
A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792)
What was Wollstonecraft’s main ideas?
- Positive view of human nature
- Men and women are equally rational
- All citizens should be free from discrimination
- Formal equality and the social contract
When was Friedan alive?
1921 - 2006
What was Friedan’s main work?
‘The Feminine Mystique’ 1963
‘The Second Stage’ 1983
What were Friedan’s main ideas?
- Individual freedom.
- Women were the principle victims of a lack of opportunity.
- An enabling state could assist to make women truly free.
When was Rawls alive?
1921 - 2002
What was Rawls main work?
‘A Theory of Justice’ - 1971
What were Rawls main ideas?
- Justice and fairness
- Welfare state
- Social and economic equality to ensure founational equality.
