liberalism Flashcards
locke - state
Rejected idea that people were ‘subjects of the state’; a true state acts in peoples interests.
Social Contract (voluntary) (based on reason); rational people would not submit to arbitrary rule. If broken citizens can rebel (2nd am).
Limited gvt; state should serve individual. Should be limited by constitution & procedures (separation of powers).
“Without law there is no freedom”.
friedan - state
Legal change is the only realistic was to make progress; confrontation= counter-productive.
Legalisation & official regulations should criminalise discrimination; protect women.
Legal equality= tolerance.
Rawls - state
Enabling state due to theory of justice (must guarantee a life worth living) & bc of veil of ignorance (∴ must use state to increase equality).
State should increase condition of poor but NOT establish equality of outcome.
mill - economy
Doesn’t directly write about economy but bc of his free market ideas it can be claimed he is pro the free market.
Income tax should be a flat tax (Thatcher).
Favoured inheritance tax; would increase equality of opportunity & assure everyone works harder creating a more meritocratic society.
These 2 are a contradiction in terms. Bridge between classical & modern liberals.
rawls - economy
Favoured property owning democracy= economic independence (rejected communism & unregulated capitalism).
Theory of Justice; need an enabling state to better conditions of the poor.
Wollstonecraft - economy
Libertarian; supported Adam Smith no intervention policies = complete meritocracy.
Results in a stronger market (although she acknowledges issue of unemployment).
Reducing state power & ∴ the tyranny of the people (e.g through tax).
State needs to protect private property.
mill - human nature
Harm principle (like negative freedom). Self-regarding & other-regarding human actions.
As an MP unsuccessfully campaigned for gender equality.
Tolerance (1st am).
Utilitarianism was human’s sole motivation? (most ethical choice is the one that produces the most goods for the greatest number).
Individual= sovereign, but more votes to the educated will benefit all.
Majoraty opionion can be wrong as it holds no true authority.
Rawls - human nature
Veil of ignorance; humans= rational & empathetic (we instinctively want a fairer society).
People still want individual freedoms; although state will decrease wealth gap its effect will not be automatic.
Theory of justice.
friedan - human nature
Its conditioning, not biology that women should stay at home; we must reject social ways.
We are equally rational ∴ it is illogical that we don’t have gender equality.
Equality of opportunity as well as legal equality.
wollstonecraft - society
We need formal equality; gives self respect & helps women realise their potential.
Motherhood= respected career (if a choice).
Women should have full civil liberties & be able to have a career (rather than be economically dependent on men).
Marriage= equal partnership (therfore women can still have a career).
Women= rational & capable.
friedan - society
Legal equality; men & women are equally rational & so have equal capability, ∴ we must reject oppressive laws.
A shift in social attitude & increase opportunity is necessary (women in careers).
Equality of Opportunity; women restricted in their choices bc of social conditioning.
rawls - society
Theory of Justice.
Veil of ignorance; to create a just society individuals need formal, social & economic equality.
Humans= rational & empathetic ∴ would want to create a society where the poor receive better treatment.
Humans= altruistic, ∴ state only needed some extent to reduce rich/poor gap.
individualism
Human nature; all unique with equal worth (should not be used as objects).
State; developmental individualism justifies limited state intervention to help disadvantaged.
Tolerance is a natural right.
Modern= developmental individual (∴ enabling state).
Classical= egoistical individual (people= self-seeking & self-reliant).
liberal democracy
Free elections, neutral state with limited powers, toleration.
Gvt lacks legitimacy without support of the people; ∴ social contract.
Democracy= values view of majority (stifles individualism), but increases participation so promotes personal growth & development.
the state
‘Neccessary Evil’; prevents social disorder & exploitation of vulnerable; bc human nature= self seeking & infringes on individualism.
Oppose concentration of power (bc people=self interested); devolution & federalism.
Limited gvt on constitutionalism; separation of powers, checks/balances, bill of rights.
