liberalism

Question 1

liberalism

Answer 1

a political ideology that emphasises the civil rights of citizens, representative government, and the protection of private property

Question 2

origin

Answer 2

stemmed from Enlightenment thinkers who wanted greater freedom for individual and to break down the barriers of the feudal system

Question 3

when did John Locke live?

Answer 3

1632-1704. during enlightenment, English Civil War and Glorious Revolution. before the Industrial Revolution

Question 4

how did Locke believe the state should function?

Answer 4

small, organic state with ongoing consent of the electorate. govern by natural laws. major roles to protect citizens and arbiter trade

Question 5

how did Locke view human nature?

Answer 5

rational and guided by self-interest yet mindful of the concerns of others. individualistic

Question 6

what was Locke’s view on society?

Answer 6

society predated the state and had been governed by natural laws and rights. reaction to Hobbes. natural rights, liberty, poverty etc.

Question 7

Locke on economy?

Answer 7

essentially free market to encourage enterprise and ownership. Inalienable right to private property, with trade free but enforced by state

Question 8

what is a social contract

Answer 8

deal between government and the electorate that they should rule according to popular will. requires regular elections. guarantees rights and obligation to respect laws

Question 9

when did Wollstonecraft live?

Answer 9

1759-1797. during the beginning of the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution in Britain. American Independence.

Question 10

Wollstonecraft on human nature

Answer 10

rational and guided by self-interest. it has been in men’s interests to suppress women for millennia and it was time to fight for equality

Question 11

Wollstonecraft on state

Answer 11

replace monarchy and constitutional government with a republic with secured rights. representative democracy. key role to provide education

Question 12

Wollstonecraft on society

Answer 12

society represses women through antiquated marriage. patriarchy surpresses women

Question 13

Wollstonecraft on economy

Answer 13

essential to incorporate women into the economy. economy, like state, must represent the society with which it coexists

Question 14

when did John Stuart Mill live?

Answer 14

1806-1873. industrial revolution taking hold of Europe and liberal ideas spreading through revolutions. age of ethical philosophy

Question 15

Mill on human nature

Answer 15

rational but unlimited. continually in pursuit of self-improvement and perfection. ‘progressive being’

Question 16

Mill on the state

Answer 16

must be representative of its citizens, but all of them. tyranny of the majority - minority view must be incorporated into decisions

Question 17

Mill’s views on society

Answer 17

individuals must co-exist peacefully with room for self-improvement. harm principle

Question 18

mill on the economy

Answer 18

Laissez-faire allows individuals to flourish best, unconstrained by the state

Question 19

when did John Rawls live?

Answer 19

1921-2002. grew up in Rooseveltian New deal USA. war and recovery. more provisions for poor and disabled than ever. greater wealth inequality and opportunity disparity. free market and unequal growth prevailing

Question 20

veil of ignorance

Answer 20

the rules for society that we would propose if we did not know how lucky we would be in life’s lottery. essentially selfish equality

Question 21

Rawls on Human Nature

Answer 21

selfish yet empathetic. everyone seeks self-improvement and aggrandisation, but would choose equality in a ‘perfect world’ . everyone deserves a chance

Question 22

Rawls on the state

Answer 22

state must provide for the less well off and ensure a meritocracy. public spending and services

Question 23

Rawls on society

Answer 23

people should support each other and be on equal footing. inequality is justified in the name of progress. rich should provide for poorer through taxation

Question 24

Rawls on economy

Answer 24

welfare state. relatively high taxation and freedom for companies and individuals to grow and accrue wealth. inequality essential

Question 25

when did Betty Friedan live?

Answer 25

1921-2006. same as Rawls but additional perspective of women’s rights growth

Question 26

Friedan on human nature

Answer 26

all individuals should have freedom for self-determination. people would not choose to discriminate but society encourages it

Question 27

Friedan on state

Answer 27

rejected the idea that patriarchal state held women back. state must safeguard the rights of women and minorities and intervene to prevent inequality

Question 28

Friedan on society

Answer 28

illiberal attitudes transmitted via ‘cultural conditioning’. these hold back women and minorities. irrational

Question 29

Freidan on economy

Answer 29

welfare state. inequality never tolerated. free markets allow realisation of potential but this must be distributed through thorough taxation