Liberalism Flashcards
What are the roots of Liberalism?
What invention also led to this?
In the reformation, which is how the protestant faith was founded.
The printing press also helped as it meant that people could read the bible in their own and interpret it however they want
What event extended these religious views into the political Sphere?
Explain it?
The Enlightenment was a intellectual movement that emerged in the mid 17th century that was defined by a believe in reason rather than faith
Who is described as the ‘Father of Liberalism’?
What did he question?
John Locke , questioned the relationship between people and the government and why people should do what the government tells them to do.
What did John Locke’s view challenge?
It challenged the Divine Right of Kings who believ ethey have been placed there by god
What did the Enlightenment challenge on the basis of Human Nature?
What did Locke think?
Challenged the medieval notion of ‘original sin’ - mankind was flawed and imperfect
Locke said they were capable of logic, calculation and deduction (Positive view on human nature)
What did Liberals believe people should be able to do with their lives?
They should be able plan their future and shape their destiny
What idea is Liberalism associated with in relation to Human Nature?
Egotistical Individualism - Have self interest for themselves and do things for themselves
However what do Liberalism also believe in that stops their Egotistical Individualism (Human Nature)
Innate Rationalism and Virtue - which leads to destructive selfishness and competition.
What does Liberalism’s positive view on Human Nature lead them to believe?
How is it different to other Ideologies? Key thinkers?
That society can exist without the need for a state
Hobbes & Consevatives belief a strong authority is needed to restrain Human Nature - A state
Why did Locke have this stateless society view?
He saw a natural society with natural laws and natural rights all existing before the creation of the state.
What did he describe life before the state?
Life before the state was not ‘nasty, brutish and short’ as Hobbes believed, but pleasant, civilised and long
Who argued that the main purpose of any civilised society is to facilitate ‘Individualism’
John Stuart Mill
What did Mill argue Individuals where?
They are rational in the pursuit of self interest, Egotistical - driven by a wish to fulfil their potential and a desire to be self-reliant and independent
What is also seen as a KEY RIGHT to freedom of a person? (Communist would say otherwise)
The Right to own private property
Although Liberals believe in Natural Society why do they believe in having a State? What do they act as?
its necessary to solve disputes between individuals therefore the state acts as a referee (Arbiter)
What type of state do Liberals Reject?
The traditional state - A monarchial state under divine right of kings
What type of Government do they agree with?
Government by Consent - the government must have consent of the governed
What did Locke say about the States Role in reference to Government by Consent?
Who called Government by Consent a social contract?
The government should always be the servant, not the master of the people.
Jean Jacques Rousseau
what are ALL the Objectives of the State?
6 of them!
explain briefly
- Promotion of Natural Rights/Individualism - Shouldn’t be abandoned under the state
- Promotion of Tolerance - Individualism requires tolerance
- Principle - Principle that everyone should be free
- Meritocracy - Power should be exercised by those who are worthy - not hereditary
-Equal Opportunity - Individuals are born equal/equal opportunities
-Justice - People should not be treat differently because of who they are
What are the 4 Key ideas in relation to the structure of the state and its Methods?
Explain Briefly?
-Constitutional/Limited Government - A formal Constitution is how you limit the government
- Fragmented Government - Dispersal of Powers between political institutions/not in a single place
-Formal Equality - Everyone has the same rights under the ‘Rule of Law’. Everyone is subject to the law
-Economy - Private property at the heart - Market based capitalism
What are the different types of Liberalism?
Classical Liberalism (EARLY & LATE)
Modern Liberalism
Neo Liberalism
what were the 4 key Distinctive features of Early Classical Liberalism?
Revolutionary Potential - USA 1776 - UK - 1688
Negative Liberty - assumption that they are naturally free to do/say anything
Minimal State - Jefferson - “State grow s liberty withers”
Laissez Faire Capitlism - Let it happen approach with the market - people should be free to make as much money as they want (Adam Smith)
What key ideas did Later Classical Liberals come up with to respond to the growth of class conscience during the Industrial Period? Who made them?
Its the states job to make people Happy - Utilitarianism by Jeremy Bentham
Self Help - Samuel Smiles - more obstacles to individualism led to people being more developed
Social Darwinism - Herbert Spencer - Questined Smiles Believe as a minimal state would lead to survival of the fittest
Challenges to Democracy - Upates Locke’s Representative Government to Representative Democracy. It could further liberal values
What type of Liberty did Modern Liberals come up with?
Positive Liberty - Helping others to help themselves
Why was Modern Liberals view of the state different?
A large state was needed as a way of protecting individuals freedom from new from new socio - ecoomic threat
Key Thinker for the Modern Liberal view of the enlarged state? What did he argue?
John Rawls - argued more laws, more state spending and more taxation
What is Modern Liberals views on the constitution? What do they agree and disagree on?
Keen to make sure the constitution is organised such as a written constitution in the UK
Disagree on the use of referendums as they lead to tyranny - best left to the elected officials
