Liberalism Flashcards

Question

What is individualism?

Answer 1

The individual interest are more important than collective interest. These beliefs are presented throughout society and underpin the emphasis on human human rights that apply equally to everyone and should not be infringed on by others or the state.

Answer 2

Believe in egotistical individualism this is individual freedom which places importance on self interest and self reliance therefore we aim to serve our own interest not the groups. This minimises the the importance of society as we are all rational individuals seeking to maximise our own interest. Our human nature is fixed meaning we have everything we need from birth to flourish and therefore up to us to make use of it. Classical liberals reject the idea that society can constrain an individual is up to them to make the best out of their life.

Answer 3

Moderns believes in developmental individualism this is the view that individual freedom is linked to the desire to create a society in which each person can grow and flourish instead of maximising their own self interest like classical therefore plays down self interest and supports state intervention to help disadvantaged. Mill was an advocate of greater education wanted to promote developmental individualism focusing on what individuals could become rather than what they had become at that stage in life this rejected the idea of human nature is fixed. According to mill this would protect liberal values of tolerance,reason and individualism.

Answer 4

A willingness to respect values,customs and beliefs of other individuals who you may disagree with. This is a natural right that liberals believe everyone should have have and should not be taken away. Originally tolerance was accepted toward religion beliefs but today has been extended for example liberals take a relaxed view on sexual matters supporting Same sex relationships to have same legal rights to heterosexual relationships as it’s a private lifestyle choice.

Answer 5

CL believe that rational individuals are capable of tolerance. John Lock argues that in a state of nature people were able to exercise their natural rights however there may be clashes eg some may claim enlightenment to the same area of land but the state of nature lacks authority to enforce people rights so couldn’t make us of it.

Answer 6

Individuals are capable of tolerance and it should be extended to intolerant acts unless it directly threatens the security of others in society. Society will change if the majority are tolerant as those who who already had intolerant beliefs will eventually change to become more tolerant of others. Modern liberals have have attempted to expand on the principle of tolerance outlined by CL specifically when it comes to minorities this now known as social liberalism.

Answer 7

Argued for greater tolerance on gender and race. Too many individuals held back in western societies based on natural inborn factors like gender race ethnicity sexual orientation disability. She was a supporter of individualism and freedom allowing people to tech their full potential. Friedan argued that the barriers to achieving an individuals full potential was not because of society but because of illiberal attitudes which stoped women achieving their full potential She acknowledged that these problematic views were upheld by society’s culture Chanel’s eg schools,religious organisations, media,mainstream lit and theatre and cinema which at the time of her writing MYSTIQUE in 1963 highlighted traditional gender roles for women Thea channels conditioned women into believing that their life was determined by human nature rather than their own rational ability.

Answer 8

She was a liberal feminist She viewed the state as an Institution which could allow constant improvement in an individuals life.she rejected radical feminist thought that the state was patriarchal and bound to be under the control of a dominant gender eg male Modern liberals argue for an enabling state to achieve positive freedom for individuals Friedan argued that the solution to the problem would be to create more legislation on discrimination,state regulation and sometimes positive discrimination. Positive freedom can look like creating all women short lists for jobs on company boards in order to improve the number of women in those positions as they bring unique perspectives and qualities to the position positive discrimination results in EQUAL OPPORTUNITY This has been In the US Affirmative Action Programs.

Answer 9

Kennedy equal opportunity commission in the us required those managing projects financed by the state to take affirmative action by actively hiring more members of minority ethnic groups that were discriminated against. In the uk modern liberals had been strong supporters of the race relations act 1976 and sex discrimination act 1975 that both criminalised negative discrimination against minority ethnic groups and women and later the Equality Act 2010.

Answer 10

CL disagree as it goes against foundational equality and strongly disagree over state to provide protection Positive discrimination goes against meritocracy.

Answer 11

Freedom must be exercised under the law and the gov should not prevent people from doing what they choose unless their actions threaten others ability to do the for themselves this was an MECHANISTIC view of human behaviour as it saw people as driven by rational and self interest when applied to society it was seen as the greatest happiness for the greatest number this means interest of minorities can oppressed by the majority.

Answer 12

CL reject a pessimistic view of human nature as they believe all humans are capable of rational thoughts therefore believe individuals should be given as much freedom as possible This was clear in Locks MECHANISTIC THEORY OF THE GOV were individuals have equal moral worth and should be treated as such by the state. This mean society is merely a collection of atomised self interested individuals however due to their rationality humans will seem to create harmony with others as this is the best path to their own success and therefore will look to respect the freedom and liberty of others this was a part of the social contract theory formulated by Locke.

Answer 13

This idea is popularised by JSMill IN ONE LIBERTY 1859 that human action should be as free as possible as long as it doesn’t bring harm to another this includes physical violence. Mills most influential work ON LIBERTY outlined his views on negative liberty that freedom can only be absent by restraint from the state. Here Mill explained his harm principle that the actions of individuals should always be tolerated by the state or individual unless it could be demonstrated that those actions would harm others.