Key Ideas Of Classical Liberalism - The State Flashcards
What 3 ways did classical liberals view the state
-rejection of anarchism
-rejection of traditional pre-enlightenment states
-the contractual state
How did anarchism view the state
-anarchism also promoted individualism through anarchy-capitalism
-arguing the state should be abolished in interests of individual freedom
How was this different to liberalism
-belief that self-realisation, self-determination + self-fulfilment are best served by the existence of a state rather than leaving individuals in a condition of anarchy
What is anarchy
-where all formal laws + authority are absent
What do liberals argue instead of anarchy
-Locke’s emphasis on ‘natural rights’ + belief society predates the state means they insist that the state is preferable to anarchy
-insists the state must certain conditions so individuals aren’t left worse off than they were in state of nature
Why do liberals reject traditional/pre-enlightenment states
-because liberals believe in consent + social contracts
What were medieval states like (pre-enlightenment)
-divine right of kings - monarchs power conferred y god + to question thus was effectively blasphemous
-monarchical absolutism - power rested exclusively with monarch
-arbitrary power - monarch exercised power randomly unrestrained by a clear code of governance
-hereditary power - power exercised by those who happened to inherit it rather than thise demonstrated ability use it rationally
How did early liberals view these states
-Locke argued they were morally illegitimate as unlikely respect natural rights
-intellectually illegitimate as an affront to mankind’s rationality + cognitive potential
What was the contractual state
-involved government by consent
-Locke insisted the state has legitimacy only if those under its jurisdiction agree to be under its jurisdiction
What was the impact of this idea of a contractual state
-profound effect on relationship between politicians + people
-people under liberal state become its ‘citizens’ with ultimate control over those who govern — ‘gov should always be the servant, not the master, of the people’ (Locke)
What was the notion of ‘gov by consent’ closely linked to
-‘government by contract’ - Locke called social contract
What was the social contract
-indicates state should be a deal between government + governed where the governed defer to the gov only if state guarantees certain outcomes e.g. protection of natural rights
What does this social contract lead to
-liberals believe ‘state of nature’ not undesirable
-thus individuals contract pit of ‘state of nature’ + contract into a formal state where they are promised advantages in return
What happens if the advantages of the social contract stops
-citizens are entitled to declare the state illegitimate + stop the contract between government + governed
-then return to ‘state of nature’
What is an example of this
-US Declaration of Independence 1776 declared when a gov becomes tyrannical ‘it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it’
What are the views of the state regarding its structured and mechanisms
-a fragmented state
-a constitutional (limited) state
-a representative state
Why did Locke argue the state should be fragmented
-a reaction to pre-enlightenment states where power was concentrated in the monarchy
What did a fragmented state entail
-power more likely to be exercised wisely if it’s shared evenly
How does this fragmented state reflect liberalisms optimistic view of human nature
-if individuals generally rational + respectful + inclined to peaceful self-determination then it seems reasonable to empower as many as possible
-e.g. US constitution displaying series of ‘checks + balances’ to prevent concentration of power
What was a constitutional (limited) state
-power not exercised in arbitrary any but should be limited by preconditions of gov + the procedures + methods of gov
Where would these conditions c procedures be enshrined
-enshrined in a constitution — the rule book of a liberal state
-constructed after exhaustive rational discussion among the constitutions architects + would define the extent + procedures of the states power
What would be inherent to this constitution
-a ‘formalised’ duality reflecting the liberal belief that humans are born equal - have foundational equality
What is foundational equality
-liberal belief all individuals born equal + thus entitled to equal treatment by the state
-connects to formal equality involving equality before the law + equal possession of legal rights
What would this liberal constituent aim to do
-aim to give the same legal + political rights to all - like universal right to petition the gov seen in 1st amendment of US constitution
-and apply rule of law so state rules apply to all regardless of social strata
