Liberalism Flashcards
What are the two main strands of liberalism called and when were they around?
- Classical liberalism - 18th and 19th centuries
- Modern liberalism - 20th century to present
Who are the five Liberal key thinkers and which strands do they come under?
- John Locke ©
- Mary Wollstonecraft ©
- John Stuart Mill (C but more transitional)
- John Rawls (M)
- Betty Friedan (M)
What is the social contract theory, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- Social contract theory - people must freely give and renew their consent to be governed and they have a right to rebellion if gov breaks this contract
- John Locke
- The state
What is the mechanistic theory, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- Mechanistic theory is the idea that the state was created by the people to serve the people and act in their interests
- John Locke
- The state
What is formal equality, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- The notion of treating everyone the same regardless of their circumstances - material equality
- Mary Wollstonecraft
- The state, society
What is developmental individualism, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- Developmental individualism assumes that we may choose to make social progress and express a degree of selflessness
- John Stuart Mill
- Human nature
What is negative freedom, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- Negative freedom is freedom from the state to do things
- John Stuart Mill
- The state
What is the harm principle, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- The harm principle states that individuals should be allowed to what they want so long as they don’t harm others
- JSM
- Society
What is the original position, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- A theoretical scenario whereby nobody knows their place in society and makes decisions according to this
- John Rawls
- Human nature, the state
What is possessive individualism, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- The idea that humans look out for others as they don’t want to be in that position themselves
- John Rawls
- Human nature
What is foundational equality, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- Foundational equality is the idea that all humans are born equal
- John Rawls
- The state, society
What is distributive justice, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- The notion that inequality can be justified if it is not at the expense of the poor
- John Rawls
- Society
What is the difference principle, which thinker does it relate to, and which of the four parts of Liberalism does it relate to?
- Still supports the idea that not everyone will be equal in outcome - natural rather than material equality - fair equality of opportunity to minimise the gap between rich and poor
- John Rawls
- Society
Key disagreements in liberalism - Human nature - what do classical and modern liberals think about human nature?
- C - Humans are naturally rational and capable of achieving good
- M - More critical of human nature - humans may not be naturally good but can develop - they have the potential for good
Key disagreements in liberalism - Human nature - what do classical and modern liberals think about human nature - KEY THINKERS
- C - Locke believed humans were naturally rational and positive
- M - JSM developmental individualism, Rawls believed humans are selfish and empathetic (original position), Friedan believed human nature has discouraged the self-advancement of women
Key disagreements in liberalism - The state - what do classical and modern liberals think about the state?
- C - Small gov, formal equality in law, negative freedom
- M - Larger gov needed to ensure fairer start for the poor, equality in law but also in social and political rights, positive freedom
Key disagreements in liberalism - The state - what do classical and modern liberals think about the state - KEY THINKERS
- C - Locke believed in limited gov, Wollstonecraft believed in formal equality
- M - JSM feared tyranny of the majority so wants to hear all views but have hierarchy of weight for those with education, Rawls believed in foundational equality
Key disagreements in liberalism - Society - what do classical and modern liberals think about society?
- C - Equality of opportunity - treating everyone the same regardless of their circumstances - material equality
- M - Foundational equality - natural rather than material equality in which everyone is born equal
Key disagreements in liberalism - Society - what do classical and modern liberals think about society - KEY THINKERS
- C - Wollstonecraft believed in formal equality
- M - Rawls believed in foundational equality
Key disagreements in liberalism - The economy - where do classical and modern liberals disagree over the economy?
- C - Private property and free-market capitalism stressed
- M - Less free market to ensure equality
Key disagreements in liberalism - The economy - where do classical and modern liberals disagree over the economy? - KEY THINKERS
- C - Locke believed in the natural right to private property, Woll believed that the free market will benefit from women’s involvement, JSM believed that laissez faire capitalism was essential to progress
- M - Rawls believed that free-market capitalism needs to be reduced through the state’s obligation to help its poorest citizens – this includes supporting the poor to be property owners, Friedan supports the free market but needs to have state legislation to ensure no discrimination
Key agreements in liberalism - Where do the different strands of liberalism agree over human nature?
Both have a somewhat positive view on human nature and believe humans to be rational - difference comes in the extent to which both believe this
Key agreements in liberalism - Where do the different strands of liberalism agree over human nature? - KEY THINKERS
- C - Locke believed people arerational and are capable of achieving good for themselves and for society, Wollstonecraft believed that both men and women are rational beings
- M - Rawls believed in the original position – that people naturally want to support those in need
Key agreements in liberalism - Where do the different strands of liberalism agree over the state?
Both believed on gov by consent and the mechanistic theory
