Liberalism Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is liberalism?
Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed and equality before the law.
What is the Liberal idea of individualism?
All individuals are unique and have equal worth. People should be regarded for their own value and this is imperative in Liberalism.
What is egoistical liberalism’s idea of individualism?
Society is a collection of self-seeking individuals that should be self-reliant
What is developmental liberalism’s idea of individualism?
Individual freedom is linked to a desire to see each person in society grow and flourish
Who is a key person related to individualism?
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), taught that all individuals are unique and have equal worth
What is the most important liberal value?
Freedom
What is one thing is the law needed to protect for liberals?
Freedom
What did John Locke teach about the law in the 17th Century?
The aim of law is to protect and uphold our freedom
What did Jeremy Bentham teach about individual freedom in the 19th Century?
Individuals will decide what is in their best interests, but governments should not interfere unless these interests harm or threaten the interests of others.
What is Jeremy Bentham’s most famous quote?
“The greatest happiness for the greatest number”
What are the two types of freedom? (As taught by John Stuart Mill)
Positive freedom - individuals should be able to control their own destiny and achieve self-fulfilment (some aid may be needed to achieve self-fulfilment like schooling)
Negative freedom - individuals should only be restrained when their actions harm others
What is the key idea of the social contract?
People will accept the existence of the state, government and society as long as the government does not abuse its power or become tyrannical. It is a voluntary agreement in which people give up some freedoms for the state to protect the freedoms of everyone.
What phrase can the state be described as by many liberals? Why?
A necessary evil. Many liberals are suspicious of the power of the state, but recognise its necessity to avert disorder and protect the vulnerable in society.
What do liberals want to see done with the holders of power?
The separation of powers so not to concentrate power in one institution, therefore most liberals support devolution in the UK. Power should be split into parliament, government/cabinet and the courts and power should be shared equally
What is the Liberal idea of Rationalism?
- Humans should be free to make their own decisions without needing to be guided by external authorities.
- We should all take responsibility for the choices we make, good or bad.
- Be guided by a faith in reason and science, rather than religion or authority or tradition
- Reasoned debate > conflict (pro-UN and EU in the 20th Century)
What is the liberal view on equality and social justice?
- Equality of opportunity is key = individuals should be free to reach the potential and have the same start in life, not everyone will succeed but that’s okay.
- Foundational equality = everybody has the same legal and political rights in society, ensured by equality before the law and equal voting rights
- Modern liberals believe in some state intervention to narrow inequalities
- Meritocracy (people should be rewarded for their efforts and abilities rather than their status at birth
What are the guiding principles of a liberal democracy?
- Free elections
- Limited power of the state
- Respect for civil liberties and different viewpoints
- Social contract theory
- Protection of minority groups
What do liberals believe about human nature?
Humans are naturally rational individuals capable of perceiving their own decisions. Therefore, a good society is one with tolerance of different values, customs and beliefs
What do liberals believe about the state?
The social contract. The state is based on the agreement of the people who give up some freedom in return for security (mechanistic state). Governments must be limited and decentralised with checks and balances to stop abuse of power. State does not deprive people of their civil liberties.
What do liberals believe about the economy?
Quite a split between classical and modern liberals. The classical focus on individual freedom has led to a belief in free market, laissez faire, capitalism. The modern view has adapted as liberals have become conscious of failings of the market and have argued for some degree of state intervention to promote sustainable growth and limit injustice.
What do liberals believe about society?
Classicals downplay the importance of society seeing it as a collection of self-interested individuals. Individual succeed based off of their own ability and hard work as all people are entitled to the same rights.
Moderns believe society is more than just a sum of individuals. Society needs some assistance to combat poverty as society is unfortunately not always equal.
How do classical and modern liberals differ over their views of freedom?
Classical: people should be free from the state except for when they harm others.
Modern: negative freedom is good but not sufficient because a certain amount of state intervention is necessary to make life better. E.g. civil rights, welfare, pensions. Positive freedom helps liberate citizens from social evils such as poverty and to ensure equality of opportunity.
How are classical and modern liberal viewpoints on freedom similar?
Both value freedom but disagree over its nature, rational individuals will and can make decisions in their own best interests. Both agree with ‘rolling back the state’ to protect freedom.
How are classical and modern liberal viewpoints on the state similar?
- Decentralised government
- Protection of civil liberties by state
- Devolution in the UK
- Freedom of information act
- Human rights act
- Society is mechanistic not organic and should work for the benefit of society
