Core Principles Liberalism

Question 1

Do individuals have the capacity to plan their own future and effect a preconceived outcome?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

What is egotistical individualism?

Answer 2

Human beings are naturally drawn to the advancement of their own self-interests and the pursuit of their own happiness

Question 3

What type of liberalism is the term ‘egotistical individualism’ linked to?

Answer 3

Classical Liberalism

Question 4

Due to natural laws, what was life before the state like in accordance to liberals?

Answer 4

Pleasant/ nice/ civilised

Question 5

What is the main purpose of a civil society?

Answer 5

To facilitate individualism

Question 6

Why is the right to property particularly important within Liberalism?

Answer 6

It is seen as the tangible expression of an individual within society.
It is also the ‘prism’ in which individuals develop their potential providing an opportunity within civilised communities.

Question 7

Why is it inevitable that Liberals should support capitalism?

Answer 7

As it puts private property at the heart of all economic transactions.

Question 8

Why is individualism focused on within liberalism?

Answer 8

It maximises the number of individuals achieving self-attainment
It maximises the number of individuals discovering their own potential
It maximises the number of individuals achieving control of their own lives

Question 9

Within a state of nature, what does Liberalism still acknowledge?

Answer 9

The fact that there are conflict of interests between individuals pursuing their own agendas

Question 10

What type of state does liberalism reject?

Answer 10

The ‘traditional’ state - one where power is concentrated into the hands of one individual and where power is exercised randomly

Question 11

Under Liberalism, when is the state legitimate?

Answer 11

Under the consent of the people. The state is only legitimate if those under its jurisdiction have effectively volunteered to be under its jurisdiction.

Question 12

What rights are promoted for the individual?

Answer 12

Natural rights to help all individuals advance

Question 13

What is John Stuart Mill’s tolerance/harm principle?

Answer 13

The state should tolerate all actions and principles unless they harm another individual’s natural rights

Question 14

Who should political power be exercised by?

Answer 14

Those who prove themselves worthy of exercising it.

By individuals who, through their talent, have gained the trust of the governed

Question 15

What does the term ‘foundational equality’ mean?

Answer 15

Every individual is born equal, with equal natural rights, therefore they are entitled to legal equality under the state

Question 16

What is legal equality?

Answer 16

Equality before the law and an equal recognition of individual rights

Question 17

What is equality of opportunity?

Answer 17

All liberals should be allowed similar opportunities to develop their own potential

Question 18

What are the aims of a liberal state?

Answer 18

Justice
Tolerance
Equality of opportunity
Meritocracy
Promotion of natural rights
Government by consent
Rejection of the 'traditional' state

Question 19

What must the structure of the state embody?

Answer 19

• Constitutional/limited government
• Fragmented government
• Formal equality

Question 20

What should the contract between the governed and governing be in the form of?

Answer 20

A formal constitution

Question 21

What is a ‘limited government’?

Answer 21

The government is limited in terms of how it can act and by a constitution’s formal rules and procedures

Question 22

Why do Liberals want to disperse state power?

Answer 22

‘Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’
If all individuals are reasonable and inclined to self-determination, it seems logical to empower as many individuals as possible in the exercise of state’s functions.

Question 23

What is formal equality?

Answer 23

All individuals have the same legal and political rights in society - no one should be outside or above the law