Liberalism

Question 1

What is one example of individualism in practice?

Answer 1

Not having a national health service in the US (everyone has to pay for themselves)

Question 2

What did Locke argue about knowledge?

Answer 2

People aren’t born with innate knowledge

Supported individualism away from tradition and inherited opinions

’reason should be our last judge and guide’

Question 3

What is the idea of foundational equality?

Answer 3

People are all rational and all deserving of the same natural rights and dignities

Question 4

Who grants natural rights?

Answer 4

Not granted by government; belong to all humans by birth

Question 5

What is the example of natural rights in the US DoI?

Answer 5

“Endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights”

Cannot morally infringe upon the rights given by the constitution etc

Question 6

How did liberalism address religious violence?

Answer 6

Argued tolerance and freedom of religion

Claimed that no peaceful society can exist when ‘religion is to be propagated by force of arms’

Question 7

What is the liberal view of human nature?

Answer 7

Optimistic view

Humans can be educated and have the natural potential to progress positively

Question 8

What are negative freedoms?

Answer 8

Freedom from outside interference
Absence of physical/legal obstacles

Question 9

Which socioeconomic transformation led to te enhancement of liberalism?

Answer 9

Feudal to capitalist society

Question 10

What did JS Mill say justified state intervention?

Answer 10

Harm Principle

‘Only purpose.. is to prevent harm to others’

Question 11

What are the two types of regarding actions?

Answer 11

Self regarding actions - actions which do not impact the freedoms of others intervention not justifiable

Other regarding actions - actions which limit others’ freedoms state interference justifiable

Question 12

In which period did classical liberalism exist?

Answer 12

18th and 19th century

Question 13

What was Bentham’s theory of utilitarianism?

Answer 13

Best action brings about the most good
Argued good = pleasure

Therefore, people should be allowed to do what makes them happy to avoid pain

Question 14

What type of individualism does classical liberalism promote?

Answer 14

Egotistical individualism

Individuals are self motivated
Society should allow people to behave independently

Question 15

How would a classically liberal state guarantee freedoms?

Answer 15

Night watchman state

Protect property rights without provision of any services and welfare

Free market economics

Question 16

What was Locke’s argument for private property in 1689?

Answer 16

We own our body (factor of production) and combining it with other factors of production makes the result your property

Question 17

Equality of opportunity & meritocracy

Answer 17

Ensuring people are not discriminated against when seeking success

People should he given jobs according to ability rather than connections or wealth

Question 18

How did industrial society change liberalism?

Answer 18

Deepening inequality led to questioning whether poor were truly free

Led to the development of positive freedoms

Question 19

What are positive freedoms?

Answer 19

Freedom to develop; break free of hindrance such as inequality or poverty

Question 20

How was JS Mill different in his view of utilitarianism?

Answer 20

Argued some pleasures are better than others: reading is better than alcohol

Argued greater utility meant better morality

Question 21

What is developmental individualism?

Answer 21

Progressing the individual in order to make people better and to enhance their contribution to society

Green argued for helping people work toward their liberty

Question 22

What kind of state do modern liberals advocate?

Answer 22

Enabling state

Active promotion of freedom by creating sufficient freedoms to achieve their goals

Question 23

Reforms of 1906-11 government

Answer 23

Free school meals for the poor
Medical inspections and treatment for children
State pension financed by taxation
National insurance established to pay for sick leave and unemployment benefits

Question 24

What was the beveridge report?

Answer 24

Identified causes of lack of productivity

Want, ignorance, disease, squalor, idleness

Question 25

How did atomism reduce in liberalism?

Answer 25

Increasingly concentrated urban society reduced atomism

Green argued for people working toward the social good

Question 26

What was Rawls original position?

Answer 26

Design a society from scratch from the veil of ignorance

People design fairer rules since they don’t have born inequality

Question 27

How do classical liberals view human nature?

Answer 27

Egotistical Individualism
Rationalism (utilitarianism)- positive of human nature
Harm Principle - people allowed to harm themselves

Question 28

How do modern liberals view human nature?

Answer 28

Developmental individualism
Prioritisation of higher pleasures and their pursuit
Positive freedoms enabled by the state

Question 29

What do classic liberals think of society?

Answer 29

Atomistic nature

Negative freedom and rights in Locke’s state of nature

Legal/formal equality of opportunity

Question 30

How do modern liberals see society?

Answer 30

Common good and less atomism

Positive freedoms

Substantive and true equality of opportunity

Question 31

How do classical liberals view the state?

Answer 31

Ultra minimal state

Negative freedom without state intervention in rights

Concern of majoritarianism and only gave franchise to property holders

Question 32

What do modern liberals think of the state?

Answer 32

Enabling state

Providing positive freedoms

Developmental individualism dictates there should be mass debate and expression on views

Question 33

How do classical liberals view property?

Answer 33

Laissez faire economics and the invisible hand

Property and ownership is a natural right

Minimal taxation to incentivise hard work

Question 34

How do modern liberals view the economy?

Answer 34

Keynesian economics

Positive redistribution of wealth and property

Society contributes to wealth so it should be redistributed