Liberalism

Question 1

Foundational Equality

Answer 1

Rights that all humans have by virtue of being born which cannot be taken away (natural rights or inalienable rights).

Question 2

Formal Equality

Answer 2

The idea that all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society.

Question 3

Equality of Opportunity

Answer 3

The idea that all individuals should have equal chances in life to rise and fall.

Question 4

Social Contract

Answer 4

The idea that the state/society is set up with agreement from the people to respect its laws which serve to protect them.

Question 5

Meritocracy

Answer 5

A society organised on the basis of that success is based on ability and hard work.

Question 6

Mechanistic Theory

Answer 6

The idea that the state was created by ‘man’ to serve the people and act within their interests.

Question 7

Tolerance

Answer 7

A willingness to respect values, customs and beliefs with which one disagrees.

Question 8

Limited Government

Answer 8

The role of government is limited by checks and balances, and a separation of powers because of the corrupting nature of power.

Question 9

Egoistical Individualism

Answer 9

The idea that individual freedom is associated with self-interest and self-reliance.

Question 10

Developmental Individualism

Answer 10

The idea that individual freedom is linked to human flourishing.

Question 11

Negative Freedom

Answer 11

The absence of external constraints in society as well as no interference in the private sphere.

Question 12

Positive Freedom

Answer 12

The idea that freedom is about personal fulfilment and realisation of potential.

Question 13

Laissez-faire Capitalism

Answer 13

An economic system, organised by the market, where goods are produced for exchange and profit, and wealth is privately owned.

Question 14

Keynesianism

Answer 14

An economic system that requires government involvement to stimulate the economy to achieve full employment and price stability.

Question 15

Harm Principle

Answer 15

The idea that individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals.

Question 16

Minimal State

Answer 16

The idea that the role of the state must be restricted in order to preserve individual liberty.

Question 17

Enabling State

Answer 17

A larger state that helps individuals to achieve their potential and be free.

Question 18

What was the Enlightenment?

Answer 18

An intellectual and cultural movement in the 18th century that emphasised reason over superstition and science over blind faith.

Question 19

What is individualism?

Answer 19

The belief in the supremacy of the individual over any social group or collective body.

Question 20

Atomism

Answer 20

The view that society is simply a collective of individuals, each seeking to satisfy their own needs or interests. Society itself does not exist.

Question 21

Egoism

Answer 21

A concern for one’s own welfare or interests.

Question 22

John Locke’s View on Religious Tolerance

Answer 22

He advocated for tolerance on the basis of 3 points:
- human beings cannot dependably evaluate the truth-claims of competing religious standpoints
- enforcing a single ‘true religion’ would never work because you cannot be compelled into belief by violence
- coercing religious uniformity leads to more social disorder

Question 23

Pluralism

Answer 23

A belief in diversity or choice, or the theory that political power is or should be widely and evenly dispersed.

Question 24

Autonomy

Answer 24

‘self-governance’
the ability to control one’s own destiny by virtue of enjoying independence from external influences.

Question 25

What did John Locke mean by ‘where there is no law, there is no freedom’?

Answer 25

He believed that liberty is to be free from restraint and violence from others and this cannot be without law.

Question 26

Self-regarding Actions

Answer 26

Actions which do not impinge on the freedom of others and should be tolerated (religious worship, freedom of speech).

Question 27

Other-regarding Actions

Answer 27

Actions which clearly do ‘harm’ and infringe the freedom of others and should not be tolerated by a liberal state (violent or riotous behaviour).

Question 28

Constitutionalism

Answer 28

The practice of limited government brought about by the existence of a constitution which effectively constrains government institutions and political processes.

Question 29

Why might liberals support a constitution?

Answer 29

They entrench the rights and freedoms of individuals.

Question 30

What did John Locke mean by the ‘nightwatchman’ state?

Answer 30

The belief that the state’s role should be limited and its only function should be to protect citizens’ lives and property.

Question 31

Rationalism

Answer 31

The practice or principle of basing opinions and actions on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response.

Question 32

What were the 5 giants of the Beveridge report1942?

Answer 32

• Idleness (unemployment)
• Ignorance (lack of education)
• Disease (lack of healthcare)
• Squalor (poor living conditions)
• Want (poverty)

Question 33

Why do modern liberals argue that foundational equality is not enough?

Answer 33

To guarantee true social justice individuals must have access to a full welfare state encompassing education, healthcare, the minimum wage and welfare provisions.

Question 34

John Locke’s view on natural rights:

Answer 34

• men are by nature free and equal
• people have rights independent of the laws of any society (rights to life, liberty and property)

Question 35

What is meant by the state being a ‘necessary evil’?

Answer 35

It is necessary in the sense that it lays down the conditions for orderly existence; and it is evil in that it imposes a collective will on society, thereby limiting the freedom of the individual.

Question 36

John Locke key ideas:

Answer 36

• social contract
• natural rights
• nightwatchman state

Question 37

Mary Wollstonecraft key ideas:

Answer 37

• all citizens should be free under the law and free from discrimination
• women should have more employment and property rights
• men and women equally rational

Question 38

John Stuart Mill key ideas:

Answer 38

• harm principle
• self-regarding and other-regarding actions
• tolerance of diverse opinions

Question 39

John Rawls key ideas:

Answer 39

• ‘justice as fairness’
• enabling state
• need for social and economic equality not just foundational

Question 40

Betty Friedan key ideas:

Answer 40

• individual freedom
• believed women were restricted of opportunities
• enabling state