liberalism Flashcards

1
Q

what is classic liberalism

A

most commonly associated with the Age of Enlightenment
government by consent
guarantee of individual freedom
representative democracy
a limited role of the state within society and the economy
individuals are born with natural rights

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2
Q

what is modern liberalism

A

argued for increased role of state within society and economy

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3
Q

what are the core ideas of liberalism

A

Individualism
freedom/liberty
state and rationalism
equality and democracy

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4
Q

what do different liberals believe about individualism

A

all - believe we should preserve rights and freedoms above any claims by the state

classic liberals - egoistical individualism which is concerned for maximising there own utility (personal worth) so they can thrive

modern - positive freedom whereby the state practices a form of developmental individualism to help make society a fairer place

classic - the state should be small , limiting to maintaining law and order and protecting society from invasion so there rights aren’t infringed on and respects formal equality
this limited interference is Called negative freedom

modern- expand state and welfare provisions so rights are better protected

both want to protect human rights however disagree how
classic - small state
modern - interventionist state which guarantees freedoms

Locke focused on protecting political and religious rights whereas Wollstonecraft and Freidan argued for an end of sexual discrimination

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5
Q

what do different liberals believe about freedom

A

Locke (classic liberal) asserted that the role of government was the protection of mans right to ‘life, liberty and state’
freedom is a natural right

locke argued for a state constructed by a social contact where individuals govern by consent - for many classic liberals the American revolution was a perfect example of a broken contract between ruled and rulers as they withdrew consent

Locke believed state would practice limited government so individuals can enjoy maximin amount of freedom

j.s mill (classic and modern liberal) - broadened whats meant by freedom - individuals should be free from interference eg allowed to commit suicide if they want

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6
Q

what are the different views on the state

A

CLASSIC - the state is a necessary evil
the state must protect ‘life, liberty and estate’
must intervene to maintain rule of law + protect society from foreign invasion

locke - govern by consent with social contract - would ensure ‘government should always be the servant and not master, of the people’
want limited government by limiting power - divided between branches of government, and Lockes government by consent, by limiting jurisdiction and electorate

MODERN - should promote equality of opportunity through education and reductions in inherited privilege

should organise welfare to help those unable to defend themselves like unemployed

Keynesian economics not laissez faire(free economy) to stop unemployment

Rawls - state should take more proactive role in reducing inequality within society - preventing social injustice

Freidan - saw state as structure to tp ensure equality of opportunity especially for women

classic - night-watchmen/minimal state - Locke, mills early ideas
modern - enabling state - mill, Freidan, Rawls, Wollstonecraft

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7
Q

liberal ideas on rationalism

A

Locke argued - ‘reason must be our last judge and guide in everything’

Believe humans are rational and shouldn’t make decisions on emotion

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8
Q

tensions over freedom

A

they have fundamentally different attitudes towards freedom

classic - views freedom in negative sense
mill argued individuals actions should be not be stopped unless they directly negatively affect other - harm principle
this lead mill and Locke to have a strong tolerance for peoples views

Egotistical individualism - self interested and realist

people would be freer in a negative freedom based society but less encroachments on them also wld facilitate there development as individuals
ideas influenced the creation of us constitution

the paternalistic aspect of state intervention is oppressive to classic liberals as believes its at the expense of individual liberty
eg welfare states require taxation
eg spanner case 1990 - where 15 people were men were arrested on assault even though it was consensual
– js mill - ‘over himself, over his own mind and body , the individual is sovereign’

MODERN - positive freedom
they broadly agree with classics on self reliance but not with negative freedom
as believe the lack of assistance of the state only compounds social and economic disadvantage
positive freedom evens the playing field

equality of opportunity - Rawls

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9
Q

tensions over the state

A

all subscribe to a mechanistic theory of the state (created by individuals to serve them ) but disagree on how it should best serve them

classic - minimal
modern - enabling to allow people to reach there full potential
modern/ Rawls equality of opportunity - still wants meritocracy but wants more social justice weather that be through minimum wage, state spending to support welfare state, stopping discrimination

classic - limited and controlled by a government based on representative democracy

modern - state intervention social justice, equality and welfare - enabling
power of state should be limited by constitutional rules and robust democracy

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10
Q

views on the economy

A

modern liberalism - Keynesian economics - mixed of private and state owned
injustices through capitalism stopped by welfare state

classic - laisezz faire - free market - no state intervention

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11
Q

views on human nature

A

modern - individuals crave freedom but also understand they have obligations to less fortunate

classic- individuals are rational and prefer to pursue there enlightened self interest

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12
Q

views on society

A

modern - society should embrace a degree of social welfare and social justice - individualism should be tempered with social action and recognition of common good

classic - society is naturally competitive - being made up of free individuals pursuing there own interests - does not recognise common good

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13
Q

what is John Lockes main views

A

human nature - humans are guided by self interest but are concerned for others

state- govern by consent

society- natural laws and rights of society predate the state

economy - private property is a natural right and state is too merry arbitrate between individuals competing for trade and resources

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14
Q

what are Mary mains views

A

human nature - both men and women are capable of rational thought

state- republican states that entrench women rights

society - society infantilised women and this inhibited female individualism

economy - liberated women would thrive and enhance the free market economy

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15
Q

what are John Stuart mills main views

A

human nature- rational but not fixed and capable of progressing to higher levels

state - be a representative democracy and be mindful of minority rights

society - individuality should coexist with tolerance and self improvement

economy - laissez faire capitalism promotes individual initiative and progress

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16
Q

what are John Rawls main ideas

A

human nature - can be selfish and value individual freedom however are sympathetic to those less fortunate

state - enabling state Will asset developmental individualism via public spending on services

society - ‘veil of ignorance’ argued individuals would choose a society that offered equality of opportunity

economy - the states obligation to disadvantaged citizens would temper free market capitalism

17
Q

what are Betty freidans main ideas

A

human nature - culture has evolved so that human nature is patriarchal and discriminatory towards women

state - state intervention to stop discrimination against women

society - society is patriarcle and needs reforming

economy - liberated would thrive and enhance free market economy
legislation must prevent women being discriminated against in the workplace

18
Q

is modern liberalism radically different to classic liberalism

A

yes
classic want negative freedom while modern want positive freedom
classic want minimal state while modern enabling
classic favour laisezz faire economics while modern would use Keynesian
classics see taxation as infringing on negative freedom while moderns see it as a key implemation of positive
classics prefer limited forms of democracy so that elite groups remain in power while moderns embraces full representative democracy

no
both have positive view of human nature and human nature
both agree on principle of governing by consent
both believe in rationalism, the harm principle and tolerance
individualism is a primary aim for both
both are supportive of capitalism and oppose nationalisation