Liberalism

Question 1

Background to Liberalism -The Enlightenment

Answer 1

• Rise of reason and science in a religiously dominated society
• Intellectual and philosophical movement
• Challenged power of church - no divine right of kings, instead rule of law, freedom of speech, liberty

Question 2

Background to Liberalism -The Reformation

Answer 2

• Political and social grievances to Catcholic church - had more influence than king
• Martin Luther challenged the doctrine that pope was spiritual authority with democratisation of information with printing press - nailed thesis on church (95)
• Common people empowered to question religion

Question 3

Rationalism

Answer 3

Reason/ability to work out solutions to problems logically. Humans guided by this.

Question 4

Individualism

Answer 4

Each individual should think/act in accordance with their own beliefs. Each individual possesses natural rights and should advance in their own interests and pursue their own happiness. In charge of their own destiny.

Question 5

Tolerance

Answer 5

A belief that all views/activities should be tolerated, as long as they do not harm others. Connected to individual freedom.

Question 6

Human nature - how does liberalism disagree with traditional view of human nature

Answer 6

Mankind’s innate reason is manifested in debate, discussions, peaceful argument and measured in examination of ideas and opinions rather rely on the will of God for forgiveness for human imperfection

Question 7

Human nature - the concept of humans planning their own futures

Answer 7

Goes against idea of ‘fate’ and ‘will of god’ - we can apply reason to better ourselves

Question 8

Human nature - egotistical individualism

Answer 8

Denotes a belief that human beings are naturally drawn to advancement of their own selfish interests and the pursuit of their own happiness

Question 9

Society - early philosopher’s ‘natural rights’

Answer 9

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness with our ‘natural rights’

Question 10

Society - ‘default setting’

Answer 10

A focus on individual freedom and that any society which seeks to deny individualism is dysfunctional
Right to property seen as a tangible expression of an individual in society

Question 11

The economy - inevitable capitalism

Answer 11

Believes that property is a natural right, so it is inevitable that liberalism should support an economy that puts private property at the heart of economic arrangement

Question 12

Economic liberalism

Answer 12

Another term for capitalism, believes in:
- Private property - a natural right
- Individualistic in theory - individual trade cooperating and competing
- Ultimate benefit to all - eternal optimism and belief in progress

Question 13

Adam Smith’s view on the economy

Answer 13

Theory of markets in ‘The Wealth of Nations’ associating liberalism with private enterprise and private ownership of the economy
‘Invisible hand’ - competition and self interest regulate free market

Question 14

Rejection of a traditional state

Answer 14

The liberal state renounces the sort of state where power is concentrated in one place and where it is exercised randomely - against divine right

Question 15

Government by consent

Answer 15

The government only rules by the consent of the people. They’re not ‘subjects’ they are where sov rests in the nation. ‘Social contract’ between ruler and people.

Question 16

Natural rights/individualism

Answer 16

Humanity is born with certain rights inherit to them, which should not be denied. Individuals would only be happy to accept the power of the state if it did not undermine these rights.

Question 17

Meritocracy

Answer 17

The belief argued that the top positions in government and society as a whole should be done by those who are most capable - contrast to hereditary and hieracheal

Question 18

Justice

Answer 18

The state should treat everyone fairly and equally. Individuals within a liberal state should be able to assume any outcome from any complaints will be fairly resolved by the state

Question 19

Formal equality

Answer 19

All individuals within a liberal state should have the same legal and political rights - enshrined in the concept ‘rule of law’ - no one should ever be above or outside the law

Question 20

Constitutionalism/limited government

Answer 20

The liberal state supports the idea of a formal constitution which establishes the relationship between the state and the governed. They also believe in a limited government alongside this, which would interfere as little as possible with citizen rights.

Question 21

Fragmented government

Answer 21

Otherwise known as the idea of a ‘seperation of powers’ which suggests that when power is concentrated in one place it has a negative impact - therefore government power should be distributing and fragmented with checks and balances in different branches of government

Question 22

Equality of opportunity

Answer 22

Otherwise known as ‘foundational equality’ - the idea that we are all born equal and have natural rights. All individuals must have the same starting chance in life - equally if they fail they are responsible