Liberalism Flashcards
What is one example of individualism in practice?
Not having a national health service in the US (everyone has to pay for themselves)
What did Locke argue about knowledge?
People aren’t born with innate knowledge
Supported individualism away from tradition and inherited opinions
’reason should be our last judge and guide’
What is the idea of foundational equality?
People are all rational and all deserving of the same natural rights and dignities
Who grants natural rights?
Not granted by government; belong to all humans by birth
What is the example of natural rights in the US DoI?
“Endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights”
Cannot morally infringe upon the rights given by the constitution etc
How did liberalism address religious violence?
Argued tolerance and freedom of religion
Claimed that no peaceful society can exist when ‘religion is to be propagated by force of arms’
What is the liberal view of human nature?
Optimistic view
Humans can be educated and have the natural potential to progress positively
What are negative freedoms?
Freedom from outside interference
Absence of physical/legal obstacles
Which socioeconomic transformation led to te enhancement of liberalism?
Feudal to capitalist society
What did JS Mill say justified state intervention?
Harm Principle
‘Only purpose.. is to prevent harm to others’
What are the two types of regarding actions?
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
In which period did classical liberalism exist?
18th and 19th century
What was Bentham’s theory of utilitarianism?
Best action brings about the most good
Argued good = pleasure
Therefore, people should be allowed to do what makes them happy to avoid pain
What type of individualism does classical liberalism promote?
Egotistical individualism
Individuals are self motivated
Society should allow people to behave independently
How would a classically liberal state guarantee freedoms?
Night watchman state
Protect property rights without provision of any services and welfare
Free market economics
What was Locke’s argument for private property in 1689?
We own our body (factor of production) and combining it with other factors of production makes the result your property
Equality of opportunity & meritocracy
Ensuring people are not discriminated against when seeking success
People should he given jobs according to ability rather than connections or wealth
How did industrial society change liberalism?
Deepening inequality led to questioning whether poor were truly free
Led to the development of positive freedoms
What are positive freedoms?
Freedom to develop; break free of hindrance such as inequality or poverty
How was JS Mill different in his view of utilitarianism?
Argued some pleasures are better than others: reading is better than alcohol
Argued greater utility meant better morality
What is developmental individualism?
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
What kind of state do modern liberals advocate?
Enabling state
Active promotion of freedom by creating sufficient freedoms to achieve their goals
Reforms of 1906-11 government
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
What was the beveridge report?
Identified causes of lack of productivity
Want, ignorance, disease, squalor, idleness
How did atomism reduce in liberalism?
Increasingly concentrated urban society reduced atomism
Green argued for people working toward the social good
What was Rawls original position?
Design a society from scratch from the veil of ignorance
People design fairer rules since they don’t have born inequality
How do classical liberals view human nature?
Egotistical Individualism
Rationalism (utilitarianism)- positive of human nature
Harm Principle - people allowed to harm themselves
How do modern liberals view human nature?
Developmental individualism
Prioritisation of higher pleasures and their pursuit
Positive freedoms enabled by the state
What do classic liberals think of society?
Atomistic nature
Negative freedom and rights in Locke’s state of nature
Legal/formal equality of opportunity
How do modern liberals see society?
Common good and less atomism
Positive freedoms
Substantive and true equality of opportunity
How do classical liberals view the state?
Ultra minimal state
Negative freedom without state intervention in rights
Concern of majoritarianism and only gave franchise to property holders
What do modern liberals think of the state?
Enabling state
Providing positive freedoms
Developmental individualism dictates there should be mass debate and expression on views
How do classical liberals view property?
Laissez faire economics and the invisible hand
Property and ownership is a natural right
Minimal taxation to incentivise hard work
How do modern liberals view the economy?
Keynesian economics
Positive redistribution of wealth and property
Society contributes to wealth so it should be redistributed
