Liberalism

Question 1

John Locke key ideas

Answer 1

• egotistical individualism= self interest is ethical priority to concern one’s welfare= each person is an ‘isolated atom’
• ‘where there is no law there is no freedom’
  = social contract= willingly transfer power to state to protect freedom
• born w natural rights of ‘life, liberty and property’
• state is necessary evil
• humans are rational through experience and judgement
  = weigh up costs and benefits
• night watchman state= law and order
• laissez faire economy= Adam Smith’s ‘invisible hand’
  = demand and supply naturally create growth wo gov help

Question 2

John Rawls key ideas

Answer 2

• developmental individualism= mainly driven by self interest but also concerned by altruism= sense of social responsibility
• veil of ignorance= ppl wld choose a collective snd equal society wo bias of their wealth etc
• keynesian capitalism= active gov policy to prevent recession
• enabling state improves freedom to increase meritiocracy

Question 3

JS Mill key ideas

Answer 3

• harm principle= state only needs to prevent harm
• negative freedom= right to be left alone from gov
• tax decreases individual right to money and property
• ppl with more education deserve more power than ignorant and uneducated
• social tyranny cld decrease individual rights= wo freedom of expression, innovation etc wld be limited

Question 4

ALL agree

Answer 4

• humans are foundationally equal
• capable of rational thought
• meritocracy
• society should be tolerant

Question 5

Friedan key ideas

Answer 5

• enabling state= need education etc for women
• positive freedom= help from gov
• ‘Problem w no name’= women have less freedoms

Question 6

Wollstonecraft key ideas

Answer 6

• women need education in order to be independent as they are capable of rationality
• ‘taught from infancy that beauty is women’s spectre’
• women are ‘rendered weak’ by society
• women deserve equal fundamental rights and opportunities= rational