Core ideas and principles of Liberalism-Freedom or Liberty

Question 1

Intro to Freedom or Liberty

Answer 1

Freedom is the most important of liberal values. Because early liberals objected to the way authoritarian government claimed a right to make decisions on behalf of the people.

Question 2

Intro to Freedom or Liberty

Answer 2

However, they did realise that freedom can never be absolute but must be exercised under the law, in order to protect people from interfering with each other’s rights.

Question 3

John Locke 1632-1704

Answer 3

This is why John Locke argued that ‘the end of the law is not to abolish or restrain but to preserve and enlarge freedom…where there is no law there is no freedom’.

Question 4

Jeremy Bentham 1748-1832

Answer 4

Utilitarianism- Each individual can decide what is his or her own interest as humans actions are highly motivated by their desire to pursue pleasure rather than pain.

Question 5

Negative freedom

Answer 5

Individuals should only be subject to external restraint when their actions potentially affect others not when it affects them.

Question 6

Positive freedom

Answer 6

Individuals should be able to control their own destiny to develop personal talents and achievement of self-fulfilment.