Classical Liberalism Flashcards
What are the key tenets of classical liberalism ?
- Social contract theory
- Foundational equality
- Negative freedom
- Laissez-Faire economics
- Rugged individualism
- Representative democracy
What is social contact ?
- Contract between goverment and people
- goverment agree to make itself accountable to the people and operate within the law
- people agree to obey and uphold the security of the state
What did John Locke say the social control theory is for individuals to do ?
Classical liberalist thinker John Locke argued individual consent by social contract to be governed by the state
What is foundational equality ?
All individuals born with natural rights and including freedom from unnecessary influence by the state
Which theories emphasised that foundational equality should extent to women and individuals of different religions
Wollstonecraft and Mill
According to foundational equality what did Classical liberalism argue for ?
Tolerance
What is tolerance according to foundational equality ?
- liberal idea that society should tolerate wide range of ideas : beliefs, religions, ethnicity and races
- should not be superior to another
- liberality for all
What is negative freedom/liberity ?
Highest form of freedom or absence of constrains
- individual left alone to pursue their destiny as individuals are autonomous and atomistic
What does negative freedom argue for ?
- freedom from oppressive and interventionist goverment and laws
- State should have limited role in society but keep order and property rights
What did negative freedom favour ?
Limited goverment
What is limited goverment ?
Role of state in capitalist economy and that capitalist and wealth is enhanced if the state does not interfere with market goods, services and labour
What classical liberalist argue that negative freedom was the highest form of freedom ?
Locke and Mill
What is Laissez-faire?
Belief in a free market capitalist economy and minimal state intervention in economy
What do classical liberalist say on laisssez-faire economics ?
Wealth is enhanced in state does not interfere with market goods,services and labour
What does rugged individualism say ?
People suffer and fall on own effort and position in society is in their hands
(Meritocracy )
What does rugged individualism say if state provide welfare will mean ?
It will arrest development of individuals
What is representative democracy ?
Favoured representative democracy as well educated elected individuals make decisions on their behalf
What did classical liberalist argue representative will provide ?
Create a broad consensus in all sort of society rather than blindly following will of uninformed and uneducated majority
What are the key thinkers for classical liberalism
- John Locke
- Mary Wollstonecraft
- John Stuart Mill
What was Mary Wollstonecraft key ideas ?
- reason
- formal equality
What is Wollstonecraft idea of reason ?
Women are rational and independent beings capable of reason
What is Wollstonecraft key idea of formal equality ?
Women should enjoy full civil liberty in Order r to be free
How was England in the 18th century for women
State implied women are not rational and denied individual freedom and liberty
- women rarely allowed land ownership/ employment
- once married women little protection against violence and no divorce
- no vote
What’ did Wollstonecraft point out due to women not being able to vote for those who governed?
Goverment of consent