Chapter 4 - The Liberal and Neo-Liberal Paradigms

Question 1

Where does the word ‘Liberal’ originate from?

Answer 1

It comes from the latin word Liber, which means free

Question 2

What is liberalism?

Answer 2

An ideology where the central theme is a commitment to the individual and a desire to construct a society where people can satisfy their interests and achieve fulfillment

Question 3

Liberalism comprises a set of beliefs based on the assumption that there should be as much individual _________ as possible in any civilized society while allowing for ____________.

Answer 3

freedom; essential constraints

Question 4

What is the core principle of liberal ideology?

Answer 4

Individualism

Question 5

How is individualism an element of liberalism?

Answer 5

It reflects a belief in the supreme importance of the individual as opposed to any social group or collective body

Question 6

What is the liberal goal with individualism?

Answer 6

To construct a society within which individuals can follow “the good” as they define it, to the best of their abilities

Question 7

Individual _______ or ______ is a key principle of liberal ideology

Answer 7

freedom; liberty

Question 8

Freedom is given priority over ______, _______, or ________.

Answer 8

equality; justice; authority

Question 9

Freedom being a key principle arises naturally from a belief in the individual and the desire to ensure that each person is able to _____ ___ ____ _______.

Answer 9

act as they choose

Question 10

Liberals advocate “________ _____ ___ ____” as they recognize that one person’s liberty may be a threat to the liberty of others

Answer 10

freedom under the law

Question 11

In terms of reason, liberals believe that the world has a _________ structure, and that this can be uncovered through the exercise of _______ _______ and by _______ _____

Answer 11

rational; human reason; critical enquiry

Question 12

Liberalism forwards the idea that individuals are naturally endowed with reason and as such should be allowed to enjoy the ________ ________ _________.

Answer 12

maximum possible freedom

Question 13

Reason inclines liberals to place their faith in the ability of individuals to make ______ _________ on their own behalf, being, in most cases, the best judges of their _____ _________.

Answer 13

wise judgements; own interess

Question 14

In terms of equality as an element of liberalism, individuals are “born equal”, at least in terms of ___________

Answer 14

moral worth

Question 15

The liberal view of equality is reflected in the liberal commitment to equal rights and entitlements, notably in the form of ______ ________ and _______ ________

Answer 15

legal equality; political equality

Question 16

Because it is believed that as individuals do not have the same levels of talent or willingness to work, liberals do not endorse ______ ______

Answer 16

social equality

Question 17

Instead of favouring social equality, liberals favour _______ __ ________ (a level playing field), that gives all individuals an equal chance to realize their unequal potential

Answer 17

equality of opportunity

Question 18

Liberalism emphasizes _____

Answer 18

merit

Question 19

Although individuals have equal legal and political rights, they must also be rewarded according to their _______ and ________ __ _____

Answer 19

talents; willingness to work

Question 20

Liberals believe that _______ is both a guarantee of individual liberty and a means of social enrichment

Answer 20

toleration

Question 21

Liberals believe that ________, in the form of moral, cultural, religious and political diversity is healthy, and that it promotes debate and intellectual progress by ensuring that all beliefs are tested in a ___________________

Answer 21

pluralism; free market of ideas

Question 22

Why has the term liberalism been critiqued?

Answer 22

Because it stands for such a wide spectrum of political ideology that it has lost all meaning

Question 23

What is the central theme of classic liberalism?

Answer 23

A commitment to an extreme form of economic individualism

Question 24

Classic liberalism is very similar, if not identical to _________ or ____________

Answer 24

conservatism; neoconservatism

Question 25

In the view of classic liberalism, human beings are seen as ________, self-seeking, and largely ____-_______ creatures

Answer 25

egotistical; self-reliant

Question 26

Classic liberalism prefers _________ to ___ government intervention in the free market

Answer 26

minimal to no

Question 27

Classic liberalism is very similar to conservatism, neoconservatism, and neoliberalism in terms of ________ ________

Answer 27

economic policies

Question 28

In the view of classic liberalism, the state is a ________ _____ because it establishes order and security and ensures that _______ ____ ________

Answer 28

necessary evil; contracts are enforced

Question 29

The state is ‘evil’ because it imposes a _________ will upon society, which limits the freedom and responsibilities of the individual, particularly in the _____ ________

Answer 29

collective; free market

Question 30

______-_____ _________ is seen as guaranteeing prosperity, upholding individual liberty, and, as this allows individuals to rise and fall, according to merit, ensuring social justice

Answer 30

Laissez-faire capitalism

Question 31

_______ liberals share many of the same values with conservatives such as beliefs in freedom, individualism, and competitive private enterprise

Answer 31

Reform

Question 32

Reform liberalism is characterized by a more ________ attitude toward state intervention

Answer 32

sympathetic

Question 33

The shift to reform liberalism was born out of the recognition that ________ ______ had generated new forms of injustice and left the mass of the population subject to the ups and downs of the market

Answer 33

industrial capitalism

Question 34

Reform liberalism provided the basis for social or _______ __________

Answer 34

welfare liberalism

Question 35

Reform liberalism is characterized by the recognition that state intervention, particularly in the form of social welfare, can enlarge _______ by protecting individuals from the social evils that destroy _________ ________

Answer 35

liberty; individual existence

Question 36

Reform liberals abandoned their belief in laissez-faire capitalism, largely as a result of J. M. Keynes’ insight that growth and prosperity could be maintained only through a system of __________ _________, with key economic responsibilities being placed in the hands of the state.

Answer 36

regulated capitalism

Question 37

Reform liberals support for __________ _______ and government intervention has always been __________

Answer 37

collective provision; conditional

Question 38

The goal of reform liberalists is to raise individuals to the point where they are able, once again, to take __________ for their own ___________.

Answer 38

responsibility; circumstances

Question 39

Neoliberalism is an updated version of _______ _________

Answer 39

classic liberalism

Question 40

The central pillars of neoliberalism are the _____ ______ and _____ ______ ___________.

Answer 40

free market; free trade agreements

Question 41

The principal neoliberal goal is to “_____________________”, in the belief that unregulated market capitalism will deliver ______, _______, and ________________.

Answer 41

“roll back the frontiers of the state”: efficiency; growth; widespread prosperity

Question 42

Neo-liberal governments are generally opposed to measures that might interfere with ________

Answer 42

higher profits for corporations

Question 43

What is the form of economic globalization that neoliberalist governments tend to favour?

Answer 43

Profit over People!

Question 44

What are the three key international bodies that have played major roles in imposing a neoliberal agenda of free-market and pro-business structures on the world economy?

Answer 44

1) The international monetary fund, 2) The world bank, 3) The world trade organization