Core Political Ideas: Liberalism Flashcards
What is the importance of individualism for liberalists
Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804), all individuals are unique and have equal worth.
People should not be treated as instruments to achieve a particular goal, but should be regarded for their own value – categorical imperative.
Egoistical liberalism – society is a collection of self-seeking individuals that should be self-reliant.
Developmental liberalism – individual freedom is linked to a desire to see each person in society grow and flourish.
Individualism is linked to tolerance, liberals believe everyone should have tolerance. Originally referred to tolerance of different religious beliefs but today it extends to wide range of views and practices
What is the importance of freedom and liberty for liberalists
Freedom is the most important liberal value, but it must be exercised under the law.
We still need the law to uphold our freedom.
John Locke – the aim of law is to protect and uphold freedom.
Jeremy Bentham – individuals will decide what is in their best
interests, but governments should not interfere unless these interests harm or threaten the interests of others.
‘The greatest happiness for the greatest number’.
John Stuart Mill – ‘negative freedom’. Individuals should only be
restrained when their actions harm others.
‘Positive freedom’ – individuals should be able to control their own destiny and achieve self-fulfilment.
Why do you liberalists think the State is a necessary evil
Suspicious of the power of the state, but recognise its necessity to avert disorder and protect the vulnerable.
They believe that people are self-seeking so wouldmiss use their power
Limited government – separation of powers so as to not concentrate power in one institution.
Liberal constitutions dominate western democracies.
United States ‘Bill of Rights’.
Support devolution in the UK.
Adam Smith (1723 – 90) ‘The wealth of nations’ argued for laissez- faire capitalism. Self-interest is the driving force for economic growth.
What is the importance of Rationalism for liberalists
Humans should be free to make their own decisions without needing to be guided by external authorities – ‘human reason’.
We should all take responsibility for the choices we make, good or bad.
Faith in reason and science, rather than religion, authority or
tradition.
Reasoned debate should always come before conflict.
In the 20th C liberals supported the United Nations and European Union for these very reasons.
What is the importance of Equality and social justice
for liberalists
Equality of opportunity – people have different abilities and potential. There might be different outcomes, but individuals should be free to reach that
potential.
Foundational equality – everybody has the same legal and political rights in society, ensured by equality before the law and equal voting rights.
Individuals with different talents should be rewarded differently.
Although most modern liberals believe that should be some state intervention to narrow inequalities, classical liberals believe that inequality can actually act as an incentive for people to try and better themselves by working harder.
Meritocracy – people should be rewarded for their efforts and abilities rather than their status at birth.
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759 – 97) argued that women should be entitled to men. Modern liberals support this, as well as equal rights for minorities.
What is the importance of Liberal democracy for liberalists
Based on the following guiding principles:
- Free elections.
- Limitations on the power of the state.
- Respect for civil liberties and toleration of different viewpoints.
Social contract – that people must agree to be governed in order for society to run smoothly. There must also be an agreement to give up some freedom in the interest of security.
Modern liberals argue for the protection of minority rights because excessive democracy could potentially lead to the ‘tyranny of the majority’. E.g. a referendum to take rights away from a minority group that was passed WOULD have been a democratic decision, but it would also result in the persecution of that minority group.
What are classical liberal views of freedom
‘Negative freedom’ – people should be free from
state interference.
Egoistical individualism – self-interest, self-
reliance.
Dependence on the state undermines self-respect and saps the economic spirit of enterprise.
Growth of ‘dependency culture’.
These classical liberal views were taken on by modern-day neo-liberals.
What are modern liberal views of freedom
Negative freedom is good, but it isn’t sufficient.
Certain amount of state intervention is necessary to make life better. E.g. civil rights, welfare, pensions
Positive freedom helps to liberate citizens from social evils such as poverty.
It enables people to enjoy personal growth and empowerment – developmental individualism.
What do both classical liberals and modern liberals agree on in terms of views of freedom
Both value freedom, but disagree over its nature.
Rational individuals will make decisions in their own best interests –egoistical individualism.
Self-reliance. ‘Rolling back the state’.
‘Dependency culture’, social breakdown.
Classicals believe negative freedom is sufficient.
Modern liberals believe there also needs to be positive freedom.
Developmental individualism – enabling individuals to develop,
offering more growth and empowerment.
What are different liberal views on the state
Classical and modern liberals believe in decentralisation of government and
protection of civil liberties.
Support devolution in the UK.
Freedom of Information Act, Human Rights Act.
The mechanistic theory. Society is not ‘organic’, it’s mechanistic. All parts are equal and interchangeable. Humans created society as a sort of machine. The should work for the benefit of the individual.
Classical liberals believe the state should be as minimal as possible, basically there to protect an orderly society with little else.
‘Social Darwinism’.
Modern liberals believe in the ‘enabling state’, one where there is a responsibility reduce or remove social inequalities that can hold people back.
What is the Beveridge Report
In 1942, the leading civil servant (and social liberal), Sir William Beveridge, issued ‘The Beveridge Report’. Writing in war time, the government had asked him to identify the main problems in society and how these could be solved after the war.
He identified 5 ‘giants’ that threatened people’s wellbeing:
1) want (caused by poverty)
2) ignorance (caused by a lack of education)
3) squalor (caused by poor housing)
4) idleness (caused by a lack of jobs, or the ability to gain employment)
5) disease (caused by inadequate health care provision)
Why can Modern liberalism be interpreted as a contradiction of classical liberalism
Classical liberals fear the state, modern liberals are more willing to use it to promote social justice.
Classical liberals believe in the most minimal of states. The state as a ‘night watchman’. Modern liberals feel this does nothing to protect the vulnerable.
Classical liberals believe in unlimited laissez-faire capitalism, modern liberals believe that capitalism needs some government management or intervention if it is to work efficiently.
Why can Modern liberalism not be interpreted as a contradiction of classical liberalism
Both traditions want to expand the freedom of the individual.
Both are anxious about the idea of an over-powerful
government.
Both agree with decentralising power.
Both wish to protect the rights of the citizen.
What are the similarities between classic and modern liberalists
Both types of liberals Seek to enhance individual freedom-in different ways. Individuals have inherent values and are capable of rational thought and decision-making
Both believe in equality of opportunity and equal civil rights
Both wish to place limits on the power of the state. They believe in the decentralisation of power and the importance of citizens holding government to account. The purpose of the state is to serve the individual and its institutions.
Both support the fundamental concept of private ownership and capitalism as opposed to a state control economy
What are the differences between classic and modern liberalists
Classical Liberals believe in negative freedom – individuals thrive when left alone by the state. Modern liberals argue that under freemarket capitalism not all people are fully free because they are held back by disadvantaged circumstances
Classical liberals see society as essentially a collection of individuals. Modern liberals believe the promotion of the common good must go hand in hand with individual freedom
Classic liberals fear that state intervention may take decision-making out of the hands of the individual and reduce their self reliance. Modern liberals believe that some state intervention is necessary to promote a fair society where people can make the most of the talent and opportunities. And establish date which helps people to help themselves. The government provides welfare services to relieve poverty.
Classical Liberals believe in a large self regulating freemarket. Modern liberals see the flaws in capitalism they argue that government management is necessary to minimise the effect of economic downturn leading to mass unemployment and poverty
