Liberal Society

Question 1

What are three ways that liberals agree on Society?

Answer 1

• Liberalism sees society as made up of a collection of individuals and the voluntary and contractual agreements they make in their own self-interest. Agreements need to be kept voluntary and temporary to guarantee the freedom of individuals
• Liberals believe that an individual’s position in society should be based on meritocracy. Intelligence, hard-work, talent, ambition etc. will occupy the higher positions in society. Others will be lower in the status hierarchy.
• Liberalism has traditionally been more concerned with delivering Political and Legal Equality than with delivering Social Justice. All Liberals support Political and Legal Equality within society

Question 2

What are three ways liberals disagree on Society?

Answer 2

• Locke saw individuals as essentially ‘anarchic’ and that the state was needed to create some form of society within which those individuals could flourish. Modern Liberals have taken a more positive view of society maintaining that a healthy and balanced society is needed to enable individuals to flourish.
• Classical liberals believe society should provide negative freedom (the absence of external constraints and interference) whereas modern liberals put more of an emphasis on Positive freedom (individuals are given help to pursue personal development, self-realisation and autonomy)
• Classical Liberals historically stressed political and religious tolerance within society, whilst Modern Liberals have also been keen on tolerance towards different social groups and oppressed minorities, also different views on ‘freedom of speech’ - harm principle