Foundations of Classical Liberalism Flashcards
When did the ideas of classical liberalism emerge?
During the Enlightenment
People wanted as much control over their own lives as possible
Supported social reforms that brought the personal dignity of human rights and the possibility of economic prosperity to ordinary people
Principles of Liberalism
Rule of Law
Individual rights and freedoms
Private property
Economic freedom
Competition
Self-interest
Rule of law
Everyone is subject to the law. Everyone, no matter how important or powerful, is above the law
Everyone is equal before the law
Citizens are subject to clearly defined rules, rather than the arbitrary power of an individual or group in a position of authority
Welfare state
Economy is capitalist, but the government uses policies that directly or indirectly modify the market forces in order to ensure economic stability and a basic standard of living for its citizens
Social Contract Theory
A person’s moral and political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement between the citizen and the government to form a society. Freedoms are exchanged in return for the protection of the state in the form of laws and their enforcement
Provides the logic for the consent of the governed
Hobbes
Life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. If people are to survive, they must agree to live by a certain set of rules or conventions
The state is obligated to enforce the mutually agreed upon contract. If it fails to do this, the right to govern is forfeit. The structure provided by orderly government enhances rather than restricts individual liberty
John Locke
The existence of a Natural Law transcends any man-made law and all citizens have a right to life, liberty, and property. Natural rights are those rights which we have as human beings - they are not bestowed by government
Government could only obtain its legitimacy from the consent of those it governs. If consent is lost, the people have a right to question his authority. The social compact can be dissolved and the process to create political society begun anew
All rights begin in the individual property interest created by an investment of labour. To preserve the public good, the central function of government must be the protection of private property
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Made a strong case for democratic government and social empowerment. Society is a human construct and as such can and should be remade to better reflect man in his natural state - human beings who are free and equal
Decisions should be made based on the general will
Supports liberal principles such as the will of the people, majority rule and consent of the governed
Montesquieu
Despotism is a danger that could beset be prevented by a system in which different bodies exercise legislative, executive, and judicial power, and in which all bodies were bound by the rule of law
The best government would be one in which power was balanced among three groups of officials
Separation of powers
He thought it most important to create separate branches of government with equal but different powers so government would avoid placing too much power with one individual or group of individuals. No branch of the government could threaten the freedom of the people
Adam Smith
Supported the ideas of economic individualism that followed a tradition of laissez-faire, which emphasizes the liberal principles of limited government and natural rights through which individuals are free to pursue their own self-interest
Results in greater autonomy and self-reliance which in turn benefits society in the provision of goods and services from which all benefit
John Stuart Mill
Supported liberty that resulted in the greatest happiness for the greatest number
The limit of liberty is the point at which one’s liberty stands to harm another’s. It is then that government must exercise its power of legal restraint
Supported the rejection of authority in economic affairs and argued for free markets. Began to question the abuses of the Industrial Revolution and argued that a minimum standard of living and education should be available to all
Campaigned strongly for women’s rights like suffrage and the right to education
