Liberalism Flashcards
what do classical liberals believe in terms of individualism?
they believe heavily on egotistical individualism, the idea of maximising their own utility so they can thrive individually
freedom of the individual is sacrosanct
there should be a limited state in order to protect individual freedom
how did Locke and modern liberalists like Mill and Rawls disagree on the topic of individualism?
Locke believed that people were able to pursue their own interests individually, whereas Mill and Rawls believed that people had the potential to do so, but they needed help do achieve it- an enabling state
what did modern liberals believe in for individualism?
developmental individualism is only possible with an enabling state, like a state run education system
positive freedom
the state must offer a ‘hand up’
‘life liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ are human rights, but only an interventionist state can guarantee these freedoms
what is Mill’s harm principle?
the idea that everyone is free to do whatever as long as it doesn’t harm others- from his early writings
what do liberals believe in terms of tolerance?
Locke: wanted to respect alternative religious views
Betty Frieden and Wollenstonecraft: argued for toleration of men towards women, calling for an end to sexual discrimination
what does Locke believe in terms of freedom/liberty?
‘where there is no law, there is no liberty’
freedom is a natural right, the role of the government is to protect a mans right to ‘life, liberty and estate’
argued for a state constructed by a social contract, where the people give up their freedoms in exchange for protection by the state
limited government: the individual would enjoy maximum freedom within a legal framework
an enabling state creates a ‘dependency culture’
what did J.S Mill believe in terms of freedom/liberty? (early writings)
advocated freedom of speech, thought and religion unless they pose a direct threat to others- negative freedom
individuals should be free from interference, even if they are harming themselves, e.g suicide should not be a crime
what did modern liberals believe in terms of freedom/liberty?
Rawls: argued for a larger role of the state as it would ensure an individuals life chances weren’t determined by their status at birth
J.S Mill also believed in an enabling state and positive freedom
what is the difference between positive and negative freedom?
positive freedom consists of an enabling state to assist individuals to achieve their dreams and aspirations and develop as individuals, like a state funded education system, whereas negative freedom consists of ‘freedom from’ the state, with as little government interference as possible
what is formal equality?
equality under the law, and every individual is entitled to equal treatment In society, like ending gender inequality
how do modern and classical liberals agree over individualism?
- they both agree on the idea of foundational equality, but modern liberals believe that an enabling state is needed to ensure ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ and classical liberals believe in a minimal state to ensure these values
- modern liberals can broadly agree with classical liberals on the idea of self-reliance, but they argue the state must offer a ‘hand up’ for an individual to achieve this goal
how do modern and classical liberals agree over freedom/liberty?
- they both value freedom, but disagree over its nature, like how classical believe in negative freedom and modern believe in positive freedom
what do classical liberals believe on the state?
- minimal state
- state is a necessary evil, although they believe in egoistical individualism, they believed the state was needed to protect ‘life, liberty and estate’, the state is needed to uphold rules etc
- Lockes: government by consent/social contract
- laissez faire economics
- nightwatchman state
what do modern liberals believe on the state?
- J.S Mill believed in state intervention to assist the poor
- state should promote equality of opportunity through education
-Rawls: the state should play a bigger role in reducing inequality in society
- Friedan: the state can guarantee societal and economic equality of opportunity for women
how do classical and modern liberals agree on the state?
