liberal snibril Flashcards
John Locke (1632-1704) – “Father of Liberalism”
Advocated natural rights (life, liberty, property).
Social contract theory: Government is based on consent of the governed.
Supported limited government and the protection of individual freedoms.
Adam Smith (1723-1790) – Free Market Economics
Wrote The Wealth of Nations (1776).
Advocated laissez-faire capitalism & invisible hand guiding the economy.
Believed in free trade and minimal state intervention.
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) – Liberty & Tolerance
Wrote On Liberty (1859).
Advocated harm principle – individuals should be free unless they harm others.
Supported individual liberty, freedom of speech, and women’s rights.
Early supporter of limited democracy.
T.H. Green (1836-1882) – Positive Freedom
Criticized classical liberalism for ignoring social inequalities.
Introduced idea of positive freedom – people need help (e.g., welfare, education) to achieve real liberty.
John Rawls (1921-2002) – Social Justice & Fairness
Wrote A Theory of Justice (1971).
Advocated redistributive justice through “veil of ignorance” thought experiment.
Supported welfare state and economic redistribution to create equality of opportunity.
Friedrich Hayek (1899-1992) – Critique of State Intervention
Wrote The Road to Serfdom (1944).
Argued that excessive government control leads to loss of individual freedoms.
Strong supporter of free markets and against state welfare.
Milton Friedman (1912-2006) – Monetarism
Criticized Keynesian economics and government spending.
Advocated free-market capitalism, privatization, and minimal government intervention.
Individual liberty
(Locke, Mill)
Limited government
(Locke, Smith)
Free market economy
(Smith, Friedman)
Tolerance & democracy
(Mill)
Social justice & welfare state
(Rawls, Green)
