liberalism Flashcards
where did the liberalism origin from
the enlightenment
what are classical liberal opinions on state and government
government by consent is promoted and that the government should represent the will of the people rather than be a master of the people
define egotistical individualism
- humans are self seeking, rational and independent, although this does involve practicing restraint and some level of cooperation from others
what is harm principle
John stuart mill argued that the government can only extend its power over the individual to prevent actions of beliefs that bring harm to others
when was John Locke alive
1632-1704
what kind of liberal was John Locke
classical liberal
John Lockes key work
Two Treaties Of Government (1690)
Lockes opinion on human nature
humans are naurally free, equal and independent and are not naturally under the authority of any other body or person
- they are guided by the pursuit of self interest, but mindful of others
locke didnt say much on society
lockes key views on the eocnomy
- state policy should respect the natural right to private property and referee effectively between individuals competition for trade and resources
- free market capitalism –> state mjst not interfere by using subsidies or taxes
John Lockes view on the state
- locke imagined life before the state to understand why humankind created the state
- the state must be representive, based on the consent of the government
- government by consent
- small and limited state
- ensure rule of law
what is the social contract?
a contract between the individual and the government where th individual agrees with the state to obey its laws and in return the state improves their life.
how does John Locke think the 2 ways the state is limited
- social contract
- constitutionalism
what is constitutionalism
when the government must be legally limited in its powers by a constitution in order to protect the freedom of individuals
when was Mary Wollstonecraft alive
1759-1797
what was Mary wool stone craft key work
A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792)
what kind of liberal was Mary woolstonecraft
classical liberalism
what were the main arguments in Mary woolstonecrafts key work?
the relation to gender equality in society
Wollstonecrafts view on human nature
- optimistic
- seeing humanity as rational whilst pointing out that the existing state and society promoted the view that women were not rational as women had no formal equality
–> this makes them like slaves in a political and civil sense
