liberalism Flashcards
what is utilitarianism?
actions that endorse or advocate for happiness rather than harm or unhappiness.
when applied to social, economic or political change it means to improve society.
harm principle
John sm -people should be able to exercise their freedom as long as it does not infringe upon someone else’s liberty
what the difference between classical and modern liberals?
classical liberals just believe in freedom from (from harm )state only intervenes to ensure the liberty of its citizens not infringe whereas modern also believe in freedom to which means intervention for the sake of allowing individuals to achieve liberty(full potential) for example compulsory education
what do liberals think about the state
some john stuart mill believe in controlled capitalism to allow for freedom to pursue business implement socialist aspects so their isn’t inequality to the point it prevents someone’s freedom
foundational equality
-examples of this can be seen in where ?
everyone who is born has equal and innate value and therefore entitled to the same set of rights.
-the usa ,the constitution declaration of independence “we hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal”
-the uk 1998 human rights act incorporates british domestic law and aspects of european convention of human rights.
what is formal equality
how does this take form in the uk
how does this take form in the us
the idea everyone had equal legal and political rights
the uk in uncodified constitution we have the rule of law
the idea no one is above the law not members of parliament who make they nor do the monarch
formal equality if protected through their codified constitution in the declaration of independence
do liberals agree with formal equality
while the general consensus among liberal is this belief in equality and the fact this should be reflected in society.
early liberal such as john stuart mill believed in weighted voting where those who had more wealth /land and votes should has greater impact than those who did not.
explain the state is a necessary evil ?
the state is a necessary evil
as it it is capable and does of infringing upon people’s liberty by influencing or stopping people freedoms.however it is necessary to extent to protect people’s freedom (classical liberals freedom from )an modern liberals freedom to )and maintain stability and consensus in society.
what is paternalism what do liberals think about the conservatism concept of paternalism?
the idea that the minority of the smartest wealthiest and most powerful or society should make decisions on the masses behalf ,in their best interests.
that it undermines people’s liberty and liberals positive ideas about human nature and people as logical capable and self determined individuals.
betty freedan
the problem that has no name
the political and social systems that discensentivised women from the workplace and towards the home.
women just as capable of excelling in careers and so they should be given equal opportunity.
mary wollstonecraft
advocated for “formal equality”equality for women.the right to vote the right to own property(economic freedom) and the right to the same education men had.
-she advocated for change in law to achieve liberty for women.
-she said they were just as rational and capable as men “lack of education made them appear not to be”and so should have equal rights
self determination
the positive view liberals have of human nature .
they are rational/logical beings capable of making their own decisions.
john rawls
he wrote on liberty
veil of ignorance- theorised if people were stripped of their social standing they and asked how society should be stratified.
they’d advocate for a baseline of equality
where people at the bottom of society basic needs were met.
john stuart mill
harm principle -indivduals should
jhon locke
the treaty between to governments
a classical liberal
he believed in the social contract and the state as a necessary evil “without law there is no liberty
mechanistic theory-the idea the state was created for man in the interests of man therefore it can be changed through the relations between individuals.-even be removed all together
social contract-men give up some of their individual power in exchange for laws and state authority which protect/ensure liberty .
-unhappy with the state citizens are able to change it.
-strengthened through the process of elections citizens exercise their civil liberty in exchange granting a gov power.able to change the gov if they are unhappy in the next election
