Liberalism Flashcards
Who are the 5 key thinkers and what are their main ideas?
John Locke (social contract theory, limited government and natural rights)
Mary Wollstonecraft (reason, formal equality)
John Stuart Mill (the harm principle, tolerance)
John Rawls (the veil of ignorance, two principles of justice)
Betty Friedan (legal equality, equal opportunity)
What is the primacy of individualism?
The individual is most important. Developed at a time where you were born as either a serf (peasant whose only job is to farm) or as a free individual (occupation like baker). Manifest destiny is the idea that what you’re born into is what God wanted so if you don’t want your position you’re going against God (used to fear God). Liberals questioned God being in control and believed people have the ability to choose but we don’t have to choose the same thing (individuals), everyone has value.
Who are the classical thinkers associated with individualism?
JS Mill- everyone is entitled to their own opinion, doesn’t like tyranny of the majority/minority as they limit the individual. Everyone’s opinions hold the same value. Mill only saw men as being capable of having rational thought and value
Wollstonecraft- in 1790 she claimed that natural rights applied to both men and women. Rights, especially to property, were withheld from women.
Who are the modern thinkers associated with individualism?
Friedan- demands that society be reformed. She asserted that the patriarchal, male-dominated society conflicted with women’s quest for self-determination so was at odds with individual liberalism.
How are under-represented groups associated with individualism?
Liberal thinkers are concerned about minority groups. Eg.
-the cause of religious nonconformists in 17th century England was championed by Locke
-women in 18th century England (especially those aspiring to property and education) were championed by Wollstonecraft
-women seeking professional careers in 1960s America were backed by Friedan
-LGBTQ+ minority groups supported by writers like Shon Faye
Liberals keen to protect individuals concerned against ‘dull conformity’ and ‘suffocating convention’ (terms by Mill)
What are John Locke’s important ideas, natural rights idea?
1632-1704
Important ideas:
Views developed against backdrop of English Revolution and are often see as providing justification for the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1668, which ended absolutist rule in Britain, establishing a constitutional monarchy.
Natural rights:
There are certain moral rights that apply to all people (human rights)- right to life, liberty and property. We all have a right to these, but also a duty not to deprive people of these rights. One of the principal justifications for a government was the protection of these rights and believed the purpose of law was to preserve and enlarge freedom (restricts freedom too). Locke believed that God gave the earth to all, but the labour of our body and work of our own hands can convert property from common to private ownership (property rights). Eg. whoever picks berries, it belongs to them
What are John Locke’s social contract theory, limited government and toleration ideas?
Social contract theory:
Society without a state (‘state of nature’) could be peaceful and one of goodwill but it had its weaknesses, especially if natural laws were violated. Hence, Locke suggested that people would agree to transfer these rights to a government which makes the justice system the legitimate function of government. This is established by the consent of the governed.
Limited government:
No one can become subject to any law, except by their consent, arguing that government needed to be limited to protecting property, keeping peace and protecting citizens from foreign attack to ensure people’s freedom. An illegitimate government fails to protect the rights of its subjects/ violates them. They should be overthrown by the people.
Toleration:
He argued that government shouldn’t use force to try to convince people that a certain view is true, and this applied to all other groups in society too. True faith cannot be forced, and one has no more reason to think they’re right than anyone else.
What are John Stuart Mill’s important ideas and the harm principle idea?
1806-1873
He straddles between classical and modern forms of liberalism.
The harm principle:
He believed that individuals must be free to pursue their own notion of a good life. He defended the role of government according to the harm principle, and was very clear that restricting individuals for their own good was not sufficient reason, even if it’s believed it would make them happier. The harm principle is the sole legitimate basis for ‘restricting individual liberties’. These were if it threatened liberty. The old threat was from monarchy/aristocracy but democracies had threats too. Mill argued that a form of representative democracy is the best form of government for societies with enough resources, security and self-reliance. Everyone should have a voice in the government as it satisifies the government promoting the common good (traits of its citizens) and the government being good when it makes effective use of its institutions and resources of its citizens to promote the common good. But, concerns over universal suffrage as those with more knowledge should have more votes (illiberal to modern).
What is John Stuart Mill’s view on individuality?
This was the foundation of a healthy society and was concerned about the ‘tyranny of the majority’- social tyranny, which he feared could lead to unthinking conformity and political tyranny which could limit the individual’s freedom. Unthinking should be discouraged as the key to a vibrant civil society is pluralism and tolerance. He argued that freedom of thought and expression was needed for progress, knowledge and innovation as challenging ideas against other rival ideas helps access validity. Also distinguished between higher and lower pleasures. Lower= physical ones that all mammals enjoyed or need like food. Higher were limited to humans with more capabilities like music. He found these far superior as once humans connected with their higher pleasures, they’d never be happy without them. Individuals who employ higher faculties are often less content, because they have a deeper sense of the limitations of the world.
What is John Rawls’ theory of justice?
1921-2002
Justice for a liberal society; it recommended equal basic rights, equality of opportunity and promoting the interests of the least advantaged members of society. Justice meant society should be accessible to all. Fundamental inequality of opportunity= unjust society
2 guiding principles:
1) each person id to have an equal right to the most extensive liberty compatible with similar liberty for all
2) Social and economic equalities are to be organised so they’re both to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged and allow all positions and offices to be open to all under conditions of equality of opportunity
