liberal thinkers

Question 1

John Locke

Answer 1

1632-1704
Key thinker in classical liberalism with his work Two Treatises of Government (1690) attacking the idea that the monarchy has a natural right to rule over others and establishing a liberal justification for a minimal state.

Question 2

John Locke on human nature

Answer 2

human beings are rational, guided by the pursuit of self-interest, but mindful of others’ concerns

Question 3

John Locke on the state

Answer 3

state must be representative, based on the consent of the governed

Question 4

John Locke on society

Answer 4

society predates the state: there were ‘natural’ societies with natural laws and natural rights

Question 5

John Locke on the economy

Answer 5

state policy should respect the ‘natural right’ to private property and arbitrate effectively between individuals competing for trade and resources

Question 6

Mary Wollstonecraft

Answer 6

1759-97
was committed to extending liberal thinking, particularly in relation to gender equality in society through her work A Vindication of the Rights of Women 1792

Question 7

Wollstonecraft on human nature

Answer 7

rationalism defines both genders, intellectually, men and women are not very different

Question 8

Wollstonecraft on the state

Answer 8

the monarchical state. should be replaced by a republic which enshrines women’s rights

Question 9

Wollstonecraft on society

Answer 9

society ‘infantilised’ women and thus stifled female individualism

Question 10

Wollstonecraft on the economy

Answer 10

a free-market economy would be energised by the enterprise of the liberated women

Question 11

John stuart mill on the human nature

Answer 11

though fundamentally rational, human nature isn’t fixed- its forever progressing to a higher level

Question 12

John stuart mill on the state

Answer 12

the state should proceed cautiously towards representative democracy, mindful of minority rights

Question 13

John stuart mill on society

Answer 13

best society was one where ‘individuality’ co-existed with tolerance and self-improvement

Question 14

John stuart mill on the economy

Answer 14

laissez-faire capitalism was vital to progress, individual enterprise and individual initiative

Question 15

John Rawls on human nature

Answer 15

mankind is selfish yet empathetic, valuing both individual liberty and the plight of those around them

Question 16

John Rawls on the state

Answer 16

state should enable less fortunate individuals to advance, via public spending and public services

Question 17

John Rawls on society

Answer 17

society most individuals would choose would be one where the condition of ht poorest improved

Question 18

John Rawls on the economy

Answer 18

free-market capitalism should be tempered by the state’s obligations to advance its poorest citizens

Question 19

Betty Friedan on human nature

Answer 19

human nature has evolved in a way that discourages self-advancement among women

Question 20

Betty friedan on the state

Answer 20

state should legislate to prevent continued discrimination against female individuals

Question 21

Betty friedan on society

Answer 21

society remained chauvinistic towards women, though women were complicit in their repression

Question 22

Betty friedan on the economy

Answer 22

free-market capitalism could be an ally of female emancipation, if allied to legislation precluding sexual discrimination

Question 23

John Stuart Mill

Answer 23

(1806–73)
19th century British philosopher and economist who is regarded as one of the most influential liberals of all time. He defended the principle of individual liberty and the freedom of expression, and formulated the harm principle, which states that the only justification for the state to interfere with the actions of individuals is to prevent harm to others. also advocated for the protection of minority rights and the diversity of opinions in society, as he believed that the majority opinion may not always be the best or the most correct.

Question 24

John Rawls

Answer 24

1921-2002
American philosopher thought to be the most important exponent of modern liberalism in the 20th century. Rawls work A Theory of Justice (1971) developed the idea of an enabling state based on the principle of equality of fairness.

Question 25

Betty friedan

Answer 25

1921-2006
linked mainly to the development of feminist ideology, via her acclaimed work The Feminine Mystique (1963). her ideas also served to broaden liberalism’s interest in equality of opportunity

Question 26

Thomas hill green

Answer 26

1836-82
changed the approach of liberalism towards the state and developed arguments for positive freedom in Lectures on the Principles of Political Obligation (1895).
- freedom should not be understood in a purely negative sense. should also be understood in a purely positive sense- the freedom of the individual to rise above the narrow concerns of self-interest to contribute to the common good of society by making the best of their own unique talents and ability.
- positive freedom can only be achieved by removing hereditary privilege in society and tackling poverty
- argued that the state had to take a more positive role by freeing the poor from ignorance, disease, poor-quality housing and exploitation in the workplace