Key Thinkers Flashcards
John Locke - dates?
1632-1704
What type of liberal was John Locke?
Classic liberal.
John Locke - key ideas/
Society, state, govt are based on voluntary agreement.
State is limited, based on consent below.
John Locke - doctrine of natural rights/laws?
People are equal in rights and must be respectful of each other’s rights. Government gets legitimacy from people, so should govern based on natural rights.
John Locke - social contract?
People give up individual freedoms in return for state protection. Right to rebel if contract broken.
Mary Wollstonecraft - dates?
1759-97
Mary Wollstonecraft - key ideas?
Women are rational, independent, reasonable.
To be free, women should enjoy full civil liberties and ability to pursue career.
Mary Wollstonecraft - men vs women?
Women just as rational as men so deserve the same rights. Wanted to have a choice between housewife and career.
Mary Wollstonecraft - marriage?
Tyranny of male over female in marriage must be stopped as it prevents people from being good citizens.
John Stuart Mill - dates?
1806-73
John Stuart Mill - key ideas?
Harm principle.
Tolerance of behaviour and ideas that are different to one’s own.
John Stuart Mill - government?
Initially held view that govt should be limited. Later accepted that some intervention needed to prevent poor from injustices.
John Stuart Mill - men vs women?
Believed in full equality for both.
John Stuart Mill - economy?
Income should be taxed at single rate (flat tax).
Favoured inheritance tax as inherited wealth gave unfair advantages.
John Rawls - dates?
1921-2002
John Rawls - key ideas?
Society must be just and guarantee citizens a fulfilling life.
Fair society is one where difference of outcomes for rich/poor are minimal.
John Rawls - inequality?
Should always be a degree of inequality. A just society should aim to minimise difference of outcome.
John Rawls - original position?
People had to decide on a basis fair to all. Did so behind veil of ignorance so it the basis wouldn’t be skewed by knowledge of class gender, race, etc.
John Rawls - property owning democracy?
Believed that ownership should be widely distributed so poorest in society can be economically independent.
Betty Friedan - dates?
1921-2006
Betty Friedan - key ideas?
Women are as capable as men - oppressive views should be rejected.
Women are limited by unfair ideas of what jobs they can or can’t do.
Betty Friedan - equality?
Wanted wider opportunity for women and equality between sexes.
Betty Friedan - links to other thinkers?
Mary Wollstonecraft - both shared ideas of women having more opportunity in society.
