Key thinkers Flashcards
John Locke - Classical
Social contract - State based on voluntary agreement
Limited government - based on consent
Mary Woolstonecraft - Classical
Reason - Women, like men, are rational and independent and should be treated as such
Forman equality - In order to be free, women shouild enjoy full civil liberties and be allowed a career
JS Mill - Classical to an extent
Harm principle - Allow total freedom, even if its hurting them, until it hurts others
Tolerance - Popularity of a view does not make it correct. The right to hold a minority view
John Rawls - Modern
Theory of Justice - Society must be just and guarantee every citizen a life worth living
Veil of Ignorance - Individuals agree on the type of society they want, not knowing where they are in society
Betty Friedan - Modern
Legal equality - womean are as capable as men, oppressive laws and social views must be overturned
Equal oppertunity - women are restricted in thier potential because of the limited number of jobs ‘acceptable’ for a woman
Individualism
The individual is supreme over any group
Egotistical Individualism
AKA Atomism, That society is made up of self intrested and self sufficient individuals
Developmental individualism
The idea that individual freedom is linked to human flourishing
Rationalism
The belif humans are capable of reason and logic, definging their own best intrests, making moral choices, creating a progressive society
Equality of oppertunity
The idea that everyone should have foundational equality. Failure to flourish is the fault of the individual.
Liberal democracy
A democracy that balances the will of the people through elections, with limited state and respect for liberties and society.
Classic and modern similarities:
Both seek to enhance individual freedom - although in different ways. Individuals have inherent value 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. Believing in the decentralization of power, it is important for citizens to hold the government accountable. Purpose of the state is to serve the individual and its institutions should be reformed to promote this.
Classic and modern differences:
Classic believe in negative freedom - free from state
Modern argue that under free market capitalism, not all people can be truly free as they are held back by disadvantaged circumstances.
Moderns argur for keynsensism
Classicals see society as a collection of individuals. Modern liberals have a more holistic view of society, where promotion of common good should go hand in hand with individual freedom.
Classic liberalism fears state intervention and its limiting
Modern liberals believe that some state intervention is necessary to promote a fair society in which people can make use of their talents. ‘Enabling state’, helps people to help themselves, ex. Provisions of welfare.
Classical see as atomistic, egotistical individualsm, modern as holistic society
