Liberalism

Question 1

individualism

Answer 1

• Immanuel Kent argues that all individuals are unique and have equal worth
  There are two interpretations of individualism:
  1 - egotistical individualism - people are self seeking which minimises importance of society
  2 - developmental individualism - modern liberals use this to justify state intervention in society to help disadvantaged
• Tolerance is the willingness to accept values that you disagree with which all individuals have

Question 2

freedom and liberty

Answer 2

• most important liberal value
• recognised that freedom can never be absolute so the law allows protection for people from interfering with other peoples rights
• JOHN LOCKE - classical liberal - argued that “where there is no law there is no freedom”
  Isaiah Berlin introduced liberty in two categories:
  POSTIVE FREEDOM: being able to act on ones free will and to realise personal potential
  NEGATIVE FREEDOM: freedom from interference from other people

Question 3

NEGATIVE FREEDOM explained further

Answer 3

Negative freedom – freedom from other people forcing you to do something. (Freedom from external constraints) Consist of laws to combat discrimination. Limited role of the state. E.g you are kidnaped and starved by someone against your will.

Question 4

POSTIVE FREEDOM explained further

Answer 4

Positive freedom – we are free to go or do something we want and to realise personal potential. Enables those on limited incomes to lead a more fulfilled and meaningful existence. Larger role for the state. E.g you don’t have enough money to get food so you starve – no one else’s fault but your own.

Question 5

the state

Answer 5

‘A necessary evil’.
- Liberals accept the need a state so they can avoid disorder and protect the vulnerable from exploitation but they mistrust power because they believe humans are self-seeking.
- Liberals want a limited gov with checks and balances on their power.
- They want a Bill of Rights to give a clear definition of citizens rights.
- There is a social contract: the people consent to them being there. The power may be fragmented to prevent too much power.
- They support devolution.

Question 6

rationalism

Answer 6

• Liberals believe people can come to logical decisions about their own interests without relying on external authorities for guidance.
• People wont always be right but it is better to take responsibility for themselves than take instruction from above.
  -They use reasoned debate and discussion to resolve disputes.
• They use war as a very last resort and want to avoid it at all costs.
  -They support the EU.

Question 7

equality and social justice

Answer 7

• There is a great emphasis on equal opportunity but they accept differing outcomes because people have different abilities but people should be able to try.
• Foundational equality are rights that all humans are born with that can’t be taken away. E.g. voting rights.
• Liberals believe that a good society is a meritocracy: success is based on ability and hard work to reach the highest level.
• Mary Wollstonecraft argued for women’s rights which modern liberals also support.

Question 8

liberal democracy

Answer 8

This involves:
* Free elections to give expression
* Limitations on the state power
* Respect&tolerance for civil liberties
- The government should be based on the consent of the people because it lacks legitimacy without it.
- John Locke (classical liberal) had the idea of a social contract between people and their rulers where people must freely give and renew their consent to be governed.
- They have the right to rebel if the government breaks this contract.
- Democracy enabled citizens to hold the gov to account however some liberals fear excessive democracy because it could suppress minority rights

Question 9

society

Answer 9

The ideal society is the idea of ‘rugged individualism’ because in America it was newly founded and being explored.
- The idea that you could be free from the state and other people and make your own way.
- People like Thomas Jefferson discuss the yeoman farmers who were self-reliant and owned their own land.
- The UK idealise homeownership/business. Creating a society where people control their own lives.
- They want to see a maximum amount of people reaching their maximum potential – the ‘American dream’ ‘Rags to riches’.

Question 10

definition of foundational equality

Answer 10

we are all born with equal entitlement

Question 11

definition of formal equality

Answer 11

Formal equality involves equal status for all members of society regardless of social background i.e. liberals are ‘difference blind’

Question 12

definition of social contract

Answer 12

JOHN LOCKE!
an invisible contract between the people and the state.

Both parties to the contract should behave as if it was tangible and real.

Question 13

definition of meritocracy

Answer 13

Meritocracy strives to ensure that we are defined by merit and ability rather than the social circumstances of our birth
Emphasis is firmly upon achieved status rather than acquired status.

Question 14

tolerance

Answer 14

• the willingness to accept values, cultures and beliefs with ones you disagree with.
• Because liberals place so much emphasis on charting your own path in life, it should be reasonable for society t i welcome these lifestyle choices as long as no one is getting hurt
  eg tolerance to religious beliefs or more recently tolerant of same sex relationships

Question 15

Limited government

Answer 15

A limited government is one in which the powers of the state are limited by law, usually in a written/codified constitution.

Question 16

modern liberals in the state

Answer 16

• see the need for the state as an enabler, to provide opportunity for others to advance and progress
• the welfare state should be used only when its needed as a ‘hand up’ or a ‘safety net’
• necessary to protect individualism

Question 17

modern liberals in the state

Answer 17

• see the need for the state as an enabler, to provide opportunity for others to advance and progress
• the welfare state should be used only when its needed as a ‘hand up’ or a ‘safety net’
• necessary to protect individualism

Question 18

modern liberals in the economy

Answer 18

• state intervention protects jobs which allows for higher taxes so that there can be equal distribution
• unregulated free market can cause social problems
• are supportive of state intervention to curb the excesses of the market economy to promote social justice and equality of opportunity

Question 19

RAWLS - MODERN LIBERAL

Answer 19

• wants better economic equality so that all lives can be “rich and fulfilled”
• this can only be provided by enabling the state with extensive public spending and progressive taxation
• CHOICE: people have the option whether or not to help poor. No inequalities will change unless the people decide to do something about it
  -How did his views differ from socialism? didn’t necessarily think the gap between the rich and the poor should be decreased. he argued that the poor should be helped

Question 20

BETTY FRIEDAN - MODERN LIBERAL

Answer 20

• everyone should be able to seek control over their own lives
• gender was a “hindrance” that prevented women from doing things which was because of illiberal attitudes of society which allowed for women to underachieve
• these illiberal attitudes were because of societies ‘cultural channels’ such as schools, the media and religion

Question 21

is liberalism ideology increasing?

Answer 21

YES - almost 2/3rds of the world states may now be classed as ‘liberal democracies’
liberalism represents the ‘end of history’ and the inevitable destination for advanced societies and the agreed politicians who guide them

Question 22

origins of liberalism

Answer 22

The Reformation - religious movement in the late 15/16th century which argued that people could communicate with God without the need for priests or popes to help them
Martin Luther King argued that Christianity was for a more individualistic character with each person having their own private prayers and undertaking gods work in their own ways
The Enlightenment - intellectual movement in mid 17th century which was defined as a belief in reason rather than faith which promoted debate and scrutiny of almost everything: eg free will, individual has best judgement of their own interests ect.
it was revolutionary because until then it had been assumed by rulers that gov were monarchical (the divine right of kings - being put in place by God)