Chapter 4 - The Liberal and Neo-Liberal Paradigms Flashcards
Where does the word ‘Liberal’ originate from?
It comes from the latin word Liber, which means free
What is liberalism?
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
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 ____________.
freedom; essential constraints
What is the core principle of liberal ideology?
Individualism
How is individualism an element of liberalism?
It reflects a belief in the supreme importance of the individual as opposed to any social group or collective body
What is the liberal goal with individualism?
To construct a society within which individuals can follow “the good” as they define it, to the best of their abilities
Individual _______ or ______ is a key principle of liberal ideology
freedom; liberty
Freedom is given priority over ______, _______, or ________.
equality; justice; authority
Freedom being a key principle arises naturally from a belief in the individual and the desire to ensure that each person is able to _____ ___ ____ _______.
act as they choose
Liberals advocate “________ _____ ___ ____” as they recognize that one person’s liberty may be a threat to the liberty of others
freedom under the law
In terms of reason, liberals believe that the world has a _________ structure, and that this can be uncovered through the exercise of _______ _______ and by _______ _____
rational; human reason; critical enquiry
Liberalism forwards the idea that individuals are naturally endowed with reason and as such should be allowed to enjoy the ________ ________ _________.
maximum possible freedom
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 _____ _________.
wise judgements; own interess
In terms of equality as an element of liberalism, individuals are “born equal”, at least in terms of ___________
moral worth
The liberal view of equality is reflected in the liberal commitment to equal rights and entitlements, notably in the form of ______ ________ and _______ ________
legal equality; political equality
Because it is believed that as individuals do not have the same levels of talent or willingness to work, liberals do not endorse ______ ______
social equality
Instead of favouring social equality, liberals favour _______ __ ________ (a level playing field), that gives all individuals an equal chance to realize their unequal potential
equality of opportunity
Liberalism emphasizes _____
merit
Although individuals have equal legal and political rights, they must also be rewarded according to their _______ and ________ __ _____
talents; willingness to work
Liberals believe that _______ is both a guarantee of individual liberty and a means of social enrichment
toleration
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 ___________________
pluralism; free market of ideas
Why has the term liberalism been critiqued?
Because it stands for such a wide spectrum of political ideology that it has lost all meaning
What is the central theme of classic liberalism?
A commitment to an extreme form of economic individualism
Classic liberalism is very similar, if not identical to _________ or ____________
conservatism; neoconservatism
In the view of classic liberalism, human beings are seen as ________, self-seeking, and largely ____-_______ creatures
egotistical; self-reliant
Classic liberalism prefers _________ to ___ government intervention in the free market
minimal to no
Classic liberalism is very similar to conservatism, neoconservatism, and neoliberalism in terms of ________ ________
economic policies
In the view of classic liberalism, the state is a ________ _____ because it establishes order and security and ensures that _______ ____ ________
necessary evil; contracts are enforced
The state is ‘evil’ because it imposes a _________ will upon society, which limits the freedom and responsibilities of the individual, particularly in the _____ ________
collective; free market
______-_____ _________ is seen as guaranteeing prosperity, upholding individual liberty, and, as this allows individuals to rise and fall, according to merit, ensuring social justice
Laissez-faire capitalism
_______ liberals share many of the same values with conservatives such as beliefs in freedom, individualism, and competitive private enterprise
Reform
Reform liberalism is characterized by a more ________ attitude toward state intervention
sympathetic
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
industrial capitalism
Reform liberalism provided the basis for social or _______ __________
welfare liberalism
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 _________ ________
liberty; individual existence
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.
regulated capitalism
Reform liberals support for __________ _______ and government intervention has always been __________
collective provision; conditional
The goal of reform liberalists is to raise individuals to the point where they are able, once again, to take __________ for their own ___________.
responsibility; circumstances
Neoliberalism is an updated version of _______ _________
classic liberalism
The central pillars of neoliberalism are the _____ ______ and _____ ______ ___________.
free market; free trade agreements
The principal neoliberal goal is to “_____________________”, in the belief that unregulated market capitalism will deliver ______, _______, and ________________.
“roll back the frontiers of the state”: efficiency; growth; widespread prosperity
Neo-liberal governments are generally opposed to measures that might interfere with ________
higher profits for corporations
What is the form of economic globalization that neoliberalist governments tend to favour?
Profit over People!
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?
1) The international monetary fund, 2) The world bank, 3) The world trade organization
