Core Ideas and Principles of Liberalism Flashcards
How did Liberalism develop? What did this develop in response to? - Core Ideas and Principles
Liberalism largely developed as a response to the powers of traditional monarchical government/the landed gentry and was pioneered by the expanded middle classes seeking self determination.
What is liberalism’s central theme? - Core Ideas and Principles
Liberalism is mostly positioned around the advancement of individual rights and the fulfilment of individual potential.
What do liberals believe about the nature of humans? - Core Ideas and Principles
Liberals believe humans to be inherently rational and able to make decisions which will suit the individual. The individual does not tend to need guidance or influence by actors such as the state in making decisions.
What are the 3 branches of liberalism? - Core Ideas and Principles
Liberalism branches into classical, modern and neo liberalism.
What was the ‘state of nature’? Describe the 2 contrasting views of this by Hobbes and Locke - Core Ideas and Principles
The state of nature is a theoretical concept described by both Locke and Hobbes which details the relationships of power between individuals prior to formal laws. Hobbes believed this to have been a violent situation in which humans fought one another in a brutal way, whereas Locke saw this much more positively, believing that humans cooperated with each other.
What is the purpose of the Liberal state? - Core Ideas and Principles
The Liberal state is intended to exist with the function of resolving conflicts between individuals in a non-partisan manner and to create laws which preserve the natural rights of humans.
Why are constitutions important to liberals? - Core Ideas and Principles
Constitutions are important to liberals as they prevent the overreach of government into the lives of individuals, formally setting out their powers and creating a contract between the government and the governed.
Why do liberals value a dispersed state/fragmented government? - Core Ideas and Principles
Liberals value a dispersed state as it prevents the strengthening of a single aspect of a government. If one branch were to become excessively strong, this would lead to the threat of despotism or dictatorship, something that liberals fight to avoid.
How does the Liberal belief in rationality prevent them from believing humans to be selfish and cruel as seen in conservatism? - Core Ideas and Principles
The liberal belief in rationality prevents them from seeing humans as selfish and cruel as they assert that rationality allows humans to avoid destructive competition between groups, establishing a sense of moderate altruism.
How does the liberal view of humans being rational beings lead to the view of humans being capable of achieving positive change? - Core Ideas and Principles
The inherent rationality of humanity has led liberals to believe that humans are capable of using this reason to advance society and fulfil the potential of humanity.
What body existed before the formation of a formal state? What did this body allow in relation to rights? - Core Ideas and Principles
Before a formal state, a ‘natural society’ existed in which humans were able to make use of natural rights, enjoyed regardless of social status.
What did J.S. Mill believe was the purpose of society? How would this be achieved? - Core Ideas and Principles
J.S. Mill believed that the purpose of society was to permit the advancement of individuals, with this achieved by reduced interference of individuals in the business of each other.
Why is property seen as such a valued right worthy of protection according to Liberals? - Core Ideas and Principles
Property is a valuable right which should be passionately defended due to it being a tangible manifestation of individualism and individual success. Society should protect this as a result.
Society is intended to advance and develop individual lives. What 3 values should be achieved for individuals in a liberal society? - Core Ideas and Principles
A liberal society should allow individuals to achieve self-determination, self-realisation and self-fulfilment.
What are the features of economic liberalism? What is this also known as? - Core Ideas and Principles
Economic liberalism is also known as capitalism. This stresses the importance of private ownership of property in order to allow individual members of society to expand their own personal wealth for the ultimate benefit of the whole of society. Built upon competition between individuals.