Liberalism

Question 1

What is the origins of liberalism?

Answer 1

Starts by the reformation of Europe and stated that people dont need priests anymore as there can be private prayers allowing for individual freedom.

Question 2

What was the believe of Enlightment?

Answer 2

The Enlightenment believed in more of reason rather than faith. Developed by john Locke.

Question 3

What are other ideas that rose from enlighment?

Answer 3

The idea that humans have at least some free will and so can judge their own actions.
John Locke started to question the relationship between governments and individuals.

-This caused revolutionary potential to be created.

Question 4

What is the Mechanistic Theory?

Answer 4

The creation of a political system based upon reason and rationality.

This proved that Enlightment was a significant turning point for medieval attitudes as it would destroy the society of religion and domination of faith through monarch.

Question 5

What doctrine was the medieval notion of human nature linked to?

Answer 5

Original sin

Question 6

What does original sin mean?

Answer 6

Original sin means that humanity are born with flaws and imperfections so therefore have sin within them. So men could only pray for forgiveness.

Question 7

What is central to the rationalist idea?

Answer 7

Planning and being able to progress society through agreement and innovation.

Question 8

Define egotistical individualism?

Answer 8

This is when human seeks to gain own personal benefit by being selfish and trying to be self-seeking.

IN CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY.

Question 9

9 marker Question

What do liberals believe about Human Nature?

Answer 9

—-One believe is that humans are rational and so are able to calculate the best option causing personal development.

(E=John Lock challenging the realtionship between governments and individuals stating how revolutionary potential had the power to destroy medieval attitudes.)

—–Another is that humans are individualistic and self seeking through egotistical individualism.

(E=John locke and his book on liberty and individualism)

—–Equality of all humans and that there is free will, also the fact that humans shouldnt suffer pain.

(Betty Friedan- equal rights of women and feminist movements in USA)

Question 10

What is the liberalist view (objectives) on the state?

Answer 10

Liberals believe we need a state that has:

-Natural Rights
-Natural justice
-Equality of Opportunity
-Meritocracy (earn your right to be governed through the people)

Also state should be used to control market forces if they fail.

Question 11

What are the features of liberalism towards the state?

Answer 11

–Limited Government= Contract between the government and the governed should be cemented by a constitution leading to consensus. So governments cant erode the natural rights of citizens. BILL OF RIGHTS 1689 UK

–Fragmented Government=Power should be dispersed in order to ensure no corruption and that there is no absolute power by the state. CHECKS AND BALANCES

–Formal equality= All individuals have same legal and political rights in society. Ensure that there is rule of law and that no one is above the law. So this allows for freedom of speech. EG BETT FRIEDMAN WOMEN RIGHTS

Question 12

What is the liberalism view on the Economy?

Answer 12

The key is the natural right of private property. Strong support for capitalism.
Believe in free trade as this reduces inequality as stated in the wealth of nations by adam smith. Modern liberalism belives in regulating market forces.

Question 13

What is the liberalism view on society?

Answer 13

The liberalism view on society is that individuals should be free and so society will work together to bring innovation while rationality remains. JS mill advocated for this.

Question 14

What is neagtive liberty or freedom?
(CLASSICAL LIBERALISM)

Answer 14

Is the abillity of an individual to be free from something and so there is the absence of restraint.The notion of an individual to be left alone to pursue their own destiny.

Question 15

Key features of Classical liberalism?

Answer 15

—Revolutionary Potential=The idea that state should be driven by representatives which was seen as revolutionary in the 17th century. Inspired British Constitution.

(MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT ARGUED BOTH MALE AND FEMALE NEEDED EDUCATION TO ENABLE REVOLUTIONARY POTENTIAL TO HAPPEN)

—Negative Liberty=The notion that an individual is free from something or someone that is dicatating them like the monarchy and the government at the time of medieval notion.

—Minimal State=The government should be limited in terms of what they can act and what they could do.

(Jefferson “The government that is best is the one which governs the least”)

—Laissez-faire capitalism=Stated that there should be free trade within countries and that capitalism had the ability to enrich all of society. Wealth acquired by individuals would trickle down.

ADAM SMITH WEALTH OF NATIONS

Question 16

What are the features of Modern Liberalism?

Answer 16

Positive Liberty and social justice= Idea that if individuals are left alone they are inhibited rather than free so they need enabling by the government so that they are free to exercise their talents. Free to do whatever they want

Enlarged and enabling state= A larger state government could repel threats to individualism from socialism.

Constitutional Reform=Passion for change and reform the state so more adaptable to constituents views.

Social Liberalism=Update classical liberalism stress on tolerance. So more social involvement in legislation.

Question 17

What where John Lockes views on human nature, society, state, and economy?

Answer 17

-John locke believes that human are rational and mindful of others.

-For the state there is the believe that it must be representation so where it is based on the consent of the governed. So a Social contract is also formed

-for society it must be state of nature where there is a social contract.

-The economy is that state policy should respect the ‘natural right’ to private property and arbitrate effectively between individuals competing for trade and resources.

Question 18

What where John Stuart Mill views of the four strands HM S S E

Answer 18

-human nature is that people are fundamentally rational so forever progressive.

-The state should be cautious with a representative democracy and ensure that everyone is represented fairly.

• Society should involve individualism and tolerance.

-Laissez-faire capitalism was vital to progress, individual enterprise and individual initiative.

Question 19

What are Mary Wollstonecraft believes?

HS, STATE, SOCIETY, ECONOMY

Answer 19

-Rationalism defines both genders intellectually, men and women are not very differerent.

-Monarch should be replaced with women rights republic

-Existing society infantilises women and thus stifles female individualism.

-A free market would help create a enterprise of liberated women.

Question 20

John Rawls believes?

HS, STATE, SOCIETY, ECONOMY

Answer 20

-Mankind is selfish yet empathetic. values both individual liberty and respect of others.

-State should enable less fortunate individuals to advance, via public spending and public services

-Society should be one were conditions of poorest is improved but still unfair.

-Economy should be free market and try help the poor to advance

Question 21

Thomas Hill Green?

HS, STATE, SOCIETY, ECONOMY

Answer 21

-Human beings are guided by reason,but their reason is increasingly affected by social and economic circumstances.

-State should eliminate social and economic obstacles to individual liberty.

-Society was fundamentally altered by industrialisation which in turn requires a reappraisal of freedom.

-Free market economy is most conductive to individualism but it can threaten equality of opportunity.

Question 22

Betty Friedman?

HS, STATE, SOCIETY, ECONOMY

Answer 22

-Human nature has evolved in a way that discourages self-advancement among women.

-The state should prevent continued discrimination of women.

-Society remains chauvinistic towards women.

-Economy should be free market could be a useful ally to females if its allied to legislation including rights of women.