Core ideas and principles of Liberalism-The State

Question 1

The state intro

Answer 1

The state and liberalism have a complex relationship but the liberals accept that the state is needed to avert disorder and protect the vulnerable from exploittation.

Question 2

The state intro

Answer 2

However, they mistrust power because they believe that human beings are essentially self-seeking so many use power to pursue their own interest and probably at the expense of others.

Question 3

Lord Acton 1834-1902 once said

Answer 3

‘Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
This led to liberals arguing for limited government with checks and balances on the exercise of power. (constitutionalism was supported to prevent concentration of power)

Question 4

The state

Answer 4

The fear of power concentration led to the devolution from central government to regional bodies which occurred in the Uk in the late 1990s-the creation of wales, Scotland and NI assemblies.

Question 5

Laissez-faire capitalism-Scottish economist ideas(Adam Smith)

Answer 5

He basically said that self-interest played a part in the growth of the economy.