Classical Liberalism (NEW) Flashcards
How did classical liberalism originate?
When Protestants challenged the authoritarian control of the Catholic Church by advocating free will and individualism
When did classical liberalism continue to thrive ?
Enlightenment when rationalist ideas of science and philosophy challenged traditional religious order
Key thinkers for classical liberalism ?
John Locke (early classical liberalism ) and John Stuart mill (late classical liberalist)
What are the four distinctive features of classical liberalism
- Revolutionary potential
- Negative liberity
- Minimal state
- Laissez-faire capitalism
What is a Laissez-faire capitalism
Based Belief in private property and negative liberity so an economic system that allows private enterprise and capitalism to run with no to little state intervention
What is classical liberalism ?
Early liberalism that believe individuals freedom is best achieved by state playing a minimal role
What does Locke say as an early thinker of classical liberalism for revolutionary potential ?
Says that state should be managed by representative of the people (democracy ) and this should be done by revolution
Which other classical liberalism key thinker had an opinion on revolutionary potential ?
Mary Wollstonecraft
What did Mary Wollstonecraft as classical liberalism state about the need for a revolutionary potential ?
Treatment of women was a reason to have individual liberity as women were seen as emotional creatures, suited for marriage and motherhood that’s it
Revolutionary potential
according to Mary Wollstonecraft what did society do ?
Society wanted to keep women in a state where they comply and agree and do not argue back
Revolutionary potential
What did Mary Wollstonecraft say needed for state to control less ?
Men and women need formal education to release power of reason by dangerous revolution
Critism of Mary Wollstonecraft?
She was middle class so different to working class women
What is negative liberity ?
Freedom involves leaving individuals alone to pursue destiny and any attempts to interfere will be seen as prohibiting freedom
What is a minimal state ?
Reflects negative liberty by minising state activity e.g protection of private property, legislating tax
What key thinker does Laissez-faire capitalism link to ?
Adam smith
What did Adam smith say about laissez-faire capitalism?
Capitalism by invisible hand of market force had the capacity to enrich society and the individuals within it
What did Adam smith mean by invisible hand for laissez-faire capitalism ?
Goverment should not regulate the economy and instead competition for supply and demand like the Darwinism society of survival of the fittest of a competitive environment
What does Adam smith say about laissez-faire and wealth ?
Wealth acquired by individuals would trickle down to rest of population as long as the state take a laissez-faire approach to market economy
What is classical liberalism key tenets ?
- Social contract theory
- Foundational equality
- Negative freedom
- Laissez-Faire economics
- Rugged individualism
- Representative democracy
What key classical liberal thinker agreed with social contract theory ?
John Locke
What did John Locke say about the social contract theory ?
Individuals consent through a social contract to be governed by the state
What is the social contract theory
Star is based on a contract between the people and goverment where the state/goverment agree to make itself accountable to the people by law and people should agree to obey security of the state
What is foundational equality ?
Individuals are born with natural rights which includes freedom influenced by the state which entitles them to liberity happiness and abiding pain
What two key thinkers discussed foundational equality?
Wollstonecraft and mill say that foundational equality should be applied to men and women, those of different religion, race or ethnicity for tolerance
What is rugged individualism ?
People succeed or fail based on their own efforts (meritocracy) and position in society in their own hands and if state provides welfare and assistance it will affect development of person
What is a representative democracy?
Need well educated representative to make decisions on the people’s behalf as better then following uninformed majority
Examples of early classical liberal key thinkers ?
- John Locke
- Mary Wollstonecraft
- J.S Mill (early writings )
