Key Thinkers

Question 1

John Locke - dates?

Answer 1

1632-1704

Question 2

What type of liberal was John Locke?

Answer 2

Classic liberal.

Question 3

John Locke - key ideas/

Answer 3

Society, state, govt are based on voluntary agreement.

State is limited, based on consent below.

Question 4

John Locke - doctrine of natural rights/laws?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

John Locke - social contract?

Answer 5

People give up individual freedoms in return for state protection. Right to rebel if contract broken.

Question 6

Mary Wollstonecraft - dates?

Answer 6

1759-97

Question 7

Mary Wollstonecraft - key ideas?

Answer 7

Women are rational, independent, reasonable.

To be free, women should enjoy full civil liberties and ability to pursue career.

Question 8

Mary Wollstonecraft - men vs women?

Answer 8

Women just as rational as men so deserve the same rights. Wanted to have a choice between housewife and career.

Question 9

Mary Wollstonecraft - marriage?

Answer 9

Tyranny of male over female in marriage must be stopped as it prevents people from being good citizens.

Question 10

John Stuart Mill - dates?

Answer 10

1806-73

Question 11

John Stuart Mill - key ideas?

Answer 11

Harm principle.

Tolerance of behaviour and ideas that are different to one’s own.

Question 12

John Stuart Mill - government?

Answer 12

Initially held view that govt should be limited. Later accepted that some intervention needed to prevent poor from injustices.

Question 13

John Stuart Mill - men vs women?

Answer 13

Believed in full equality for both.

Question 14

John Stuart Mill - economy?

Answer 14

Income should be taxed at single rate (flat tax).

Favoured inheritance tax as inherited wealth gave unfair advantages.

Question 15

John Rawls - dates?

Answer 15

1921-2002

Question 16

John Rawls - key ideas?

Answer 16

Society must be just and guarantee citizens a fulfilling life.
Fair society is one where difference of outcomes for rich/poor are minimal.

Question 17

John Rawls - inequality?

Answer 17

Should always be a degree of inequality. A just society should aim to minimise difference of outcome.

Question 18

John Rawls - original position?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

John Rawls - property owning democracy?

Answer 19

Believed that ownership should be widely distributed so poorest in society can be economically independent.

Question 20

Betty Friedan - dates?

Answer 20

1921-2006

Question 21

Betty Friedan - key ideas?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Betty Friedan - equality?

Answer 22

Wanted wider opportunity for women and equality between sexes.

Question 23

Betty Friedan - links to other thinkers?

Answer 23

Mary Wollstonecraft - both shared ideas of women having more opportunity in society.