LIBERALISM Flashcards
Father of liberalism
John Locke
what theory did locke believe in
mechanistic theory - mankind is rational and capable of devising a state that relfects it’s needs
core liberal view on human nature
- Liberalism denied the view of original sin and took optimistic view of human nature
- individuals have the capacity to plan their own futures and effect a preconceived outcome
- we are in control of our destiny
- reasoned discussion leads to consensus
- self seeking/ self serving
core liberal view of society
- belief in a natural society with natural rights
- society focuses on individual freedom
- right to property is particularly important
core liberal view on the economy
- support capitalism
- private ownership of the economy
- linked to the positive view of human nature
Core liberal view on the state
- individuality and freedom is best accompanied by a state
- Locke believed without a state there would be clashes between personal agendas
- gov by consent: gov must have consent of the governed. Locke said gov should act as a servant to the people.
- promotion of natural rights
- promotion of tolerance: Voltaire said ‘I detest what you say but will defend unto the death your right to say it’.
- meritocracy : gov should only be run by those who deserve it
- equality of opportunity: everyone must have the opportunity to develop their potential
- justice where individuals are treated fairly
What is the core nature of government in liberalism
- limited gov where gov must govern according to prearranged rules
- fragmented gov where power isn’t concentrated e.g. “checks and balances”
- formal equality
classical liberalism
- negative liberty: individuals are left alone to achieve their destiny
- minimal state: liberty was seen as the absence of restraint and political power should be dispersed with checks and balances.
- laissez faire capitalism: Adam Smith argued that the wealth acquired by individuals would trickle down and advocated for free trade.
classical liberalism thinkers
John Locke, Mary Wollstonecraft, John stuart mill (between classical and modern)
What were mary wollstonecraft’s beliefs
men and women should be treated equally as rational human beings. formal equality in which women were entitled to the same civil liberties as men. 18th century england women couldn’t vote which went against ‘government by consent’.
Later classical liberalism (early-mid 19th century)
- ## Jeremy bentham thought the liberal state would need to be more proactive
what were john stuart mill’s beliefs
- supported negative liberty: one’s actions should always be tolerated unless it could be demonstarted to harm others
- tolerance of diverse opinions
modern liberalism
- positive freedom: argued the nature of modern society /economics meant that it was harder to reach self-realisation. people need enabling to exercise individual talents
- enlarged and enabling state: to liberate individuals from social/economic problems.
- collectivism: e.g. liberal gov led by Asquith made the ‘people’s budget’ 1908, which introduced state pension & increased taxation of property owners.
-constitutional reform/liberal democracy: gov by consent needs constant improvement. e.g. liberal prime minister david lloyd george in 1918 oversaw enfrachisement of women and men despite property. - BUTdoesn’t favour direct democracy because of ‘tyranny of the majority’ and favoured the Human rights act which transferred powers from elective reps to unelected judges’
- social liberlaism: updates classical’s stress on tolerance by introducing legislation that criminalises discrimination. e.g. Kennedy’s Employment Opportunity Commision which required those managing projects financed by the state to take action to hire ethnic minorities
e.g. Uk Race relations act 1976 criminalised discrimination
modern liberalism key thinkers
John Rawls, Betty Friedan
what does john rawls think
- foundational equality not just under law but greater economic and social equality too by the enabling state
- higher taxation induced a fairer society.
- rawls thought the state of the poor should be improved by the state, but gap between the rich and the poor doesn’t need to be narrowed (so different from socialism)
