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PP1 - UK Politics and Core > Liberalism > Flashcards

Liberalism Flashcards

1
Q

Which philosopher is important in the foundations of liberalism?

A

Emmanuel Kant - people shouldn’t be used as a means to obtain things against their will

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2
Q

What are the two types of individualism?

A
  1. Egotistical
  2. Developmental
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3
Q

Explain egotistical individualism

A

Society is a collection of interested individuals

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4
Q

Explain developmental individualism

A

The idea that society should be a place where individuals can grow and flourish

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5
Q

What is the most important thing to liberals?

A

Freedom

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6
Q

What did John Locke say about the law

A

“the end (purpose) of law is not to abolish or restrain but to preserve and enlarge freedom”

“where there is no law there is no freedom”

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7
Q

Do liberals support equality of outcome or opportunity?

A

Equality of Opportunity as artificially trying to create equal outcomes denies the most talented the chance to reach their potential

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8
Q

What type of equality do liberals believe in?

A

Foundational equality

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9
Q

What are the 3 pillars of liberal democracy?

A
  1. Free Elections
  2. Limitations on state power
  3. Tolerance and respect for liberties
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10
Q

What is the major difference between classical and modern liberalism?

A

Classical Liberalism - freedom is the most important par of society. This should be preserved by limiting the government.

Modern Liberalism - unregulated economics leads to inequality and poverty. You cannot be truly free just by being left alone by the state.

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11
Q

Explain positive and negative freedom?

A

Positive freedom - where the state takes active measures to allow people the chance to do the best they can, rather than just getting out the way.

Negative freedom - Removing the obstacles - this doesn’t do enough to make society fair.

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12
Q

Sum up Classical and Modern Liberalism

A

Classical
- Egotistical individualism
- Foundational equality
- Negative freedom

Modern
- Developmental individualism
- Equality of opportunity
- Positive freedom

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13
Q

What is Mechanistic theory?

A

The state is not something to worship. Liberals see it as a machine to serve the people and facilitate what they need.

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14
Q

What do classical liberals believe the state should do?

A

Be a nightwatchman
It should keep order, enforce contacts and provide external defence. It should provide the conditions for laissez faire capitalism to thrive and not interfere with individual liberties.

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15
Q

What was John Locke’s most important work?

A

“Two treaties on Government” 1690

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16
Q

Which two events influences John Locke?

A

1688 Glorious Revolution
1689 Bill of Rights

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17
Q

What is Locke’s view on Individualism?

A

Individuals should be served by the state - a social contract

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18
Q

What is Locke’s view on equality?

A

He argued the government should be tolerant of religious matters - but not atheists. His view set the groundwork for foundational equality as he emphasized natural rights

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19
Q

What is Locke’s view on freedom?

A

There should be a theoretical social contract. The state keeps power if it keeps us safe, keeps order and protects property. If it breaks this we are entitled to overthrow or resist its control.

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20
Q

What is Locke’s view on the state?

A

A true state should serve the interests of the people. This exists under a social contract with consent from below.

The government should be limited by a constitution.

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21
Q

What is Locke’s view on the economy?

A

He supported the idea of a free market economy with minimal government interference.

He believed in private property rights and the importance of individuals being able to freely exchange goods and services in a competitive market.

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22
Q

What are John Locke’s key ideas?

A

Social Contract Theory and a limited government.

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23
Q

Which traditional ideas did John Locke reject?

A

He rejected Divine Right and the Monarchy.

24
Q

Which ideas of John Locke contradict with Modern Liberals?

A

He didn’t really believe in democracy, equal rights for women, equality or tolerance of atheism.

25
Q

What book did Mary Wollstonecraft write?

A

‘A vindication of the Rights of Women’ 1792

26
Q

What is Wollstonecraft’s view on Individualism?

A

We should all be formally equal in society. Societal norms and institutions restrict individual liberty.

27
Q

What is Wollstonecraft’s view on Equality?

A

She argued formal equality was needed. Women are as rational as men and should therefore be entitled to the same rights. She wanted to break down patriarchal barriers.

28
Q

What is Wollstonecraft’s view on freedom?

A

If women had equal right to education they would be able to protect their own property and be independent and self-reliant.

29
Q

What is Wollstonecraft’s view on the state?

A

Argued for an expanded role of the state in promoting gender equality and ensuring women’s rights. She believed the state should dismantle oppressive structures and provide opportunities for women to participate fully in society through education and legal reforms.

30
Q

What is Wollstonecraft’s view on the economy?

A

She didn’t focus on this, but still advocated fro economic independence for women. This would be achieved through access to education and equal opportunities

31
Q

What is Wollstonecraft’s key ideas?

A

Reason - Women are rational and independent and therefore capable of this
Formal equality of men and women.

32
Q

John Stuart Mill’s father was a Utilitarian philosopher, what does this mean?

A

Utilitarians believe that the best action is the one that brings about the greatest overall happiness and reduces suffering for the most number of people. They focus on the consequences of actions and aim to maximize pleasure and minimize pain or suffering.

33
Q

What is John Stuart Mill’s key work?

A

“On Liberty” 1859

34
Q

What is John Stuart Mill’s view on individualism?

A

Self -regarding actions should not be infringed upon by the state. The Liberty Principle which argued the state should be able to pursue individual interests freely as long as they do not harm others.

35
Q

What is John Stuart Mill’s view on equality?

A

Equality of opportunity

He believed in equality of opportunity for men and women. For 3 years tried to help in the fight for female suffrage, as an MP. Also believed there should be some state intervention to prevent the poor from suffering.

36
Q

What is John Stuart Mill’s view on freedom?

A

There should be freedom of speech - views that are right will be tested in debate. Even argued murdering or overthrowing the govt. could be argued for. Individuals should be allowed to make their own decisions even if society doesn’t agree with them.

37
Q

Why was John Stuart Mill arrested and made to spend a night in jail?

A

He was charged with gross indecency after trying to inform the poor about contraception.

38
Q

What was John Stuart Mills view on the state?

A

The minimal state should not interfere with self regarding actions. It should curb other-regarding actions if they harm the freedoms of others. Tolerance should be shown to allow the promotion of new ideas and expose the flawed ones.

39
Q

What was John Stuart Mills view on the economy?

A

He supported classical liberal views - limited government inference and free trade.

A tax system like ours was a mild form of robbery so there should be a single flat % rate. This would result in equality of sacrifice. Inheritance should be heavily taxed.

40
Q

What was John Stuart Mills key ideas?

A
  • The harm principle - we should be free to do anything as long as it doesn’t harm others
  • Tolerance - being prepared to accept values and beliefs you would usually disagree with
41
Q

What was John Rawls’ main work called?

A

“A Theory of Justice’ 1971

42
Q

What is Rawls view on individualism?

A

The Liberty Principle - each individual has the right to certain liberties e.g expression and association, private possessions and a home.

43
Q

What is Rawls view on equality?

A

The state should improve conditions of the poor but equalities of outcome should remain to reflect individual differences. Differences are tolerable as long as they don’t worsen deprivation.

44
Q

What is Rawls view on freedom?

A

There should be fair equality of opportunity. The difference principle should ensure there are differences but not at the expense of those lower down in society

45
Q

What is Rawls view on the state?

A

It should be enabling - redistribute wealth, increase public spending, and adopt progressive taxation.

46
Q

What is Rawls’ view on the economy?

A

Argued for a welfare state that includes measures to reduce economic inequality and provide social safety nets for the disadvantaged.

He wanted a redistributive justice, where resources were fairly distributed to benefit the least advantaged members of society.

47
Q

What are Rawls main idea?

A

The Theory of Justice - society should guarantee each citizen a life worth living

48
Q

Explain the theoretical experiment Rawls describes

A
  • The Original Position - Creating societies laws from scratch
  • The only way to ensure this would be the Veil of ignorance - whereby each person would not know their won place in the society
  • This would lead to the Justice of Fairness
49
Q

Which organisation did Betty Friedan co-found?

A

National Organisation for Women - NOW

50
Q

What was Betty Friedan’s main work?

A

“The Feminine Mystique” 1963

51
Q

What did Friedan’s book argue?

A

Conditioning, rather than biology, led to women becoming wives and homemakers. This leads to widespread lack of fulfillment and unhappiness

52
Q

What was Friedan’s view on Individualism?

A

Women should not be conditioned - they should be able to lead fulfilled lives outside of domestic work. Her work highlighted the importance of women’s autonomy and self-determination in shaping their own lives.

53
Q

What was Friedan’s view on equality?

A

Women and men should be legally equal and have the same opportunities - equality of opportunity.

She emphasised the importance of women’s autonomy and equal participation in all areas of society - including the workplace, politics and family.

54
Q

What was Friedan’s view on freedom?

A

Legal equality of men and women can be granted when oppression is rejected.

Equality of opportunity can be realised when social conditioning is rejected

55
Q

What was Friedan’s view on the state?

A

It should be expanded and criminalise discrimination through legislation. Legal change is the only way to make progress. Tolerance should be shown.

56
Q

What was Friedan’s view on the state?

A

Primarily focused on gender equality, but also recognized the economic dimensions of this, advocating for equal pay and policies which support women in the workplace.

57
Q

What were Friedan’s main ideas?

A
  • Legal equality - mean and women are of equal worth and are therefore equality capable. Oppressive laws must be rejected.
  • Equal opportunity - women have become restricted due to social conditioning.

PP1 - UK Politics and Core (7 decks)

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