Liberalism Flashcards
Individualism
The importance of the individual over the claims of any social group or collective body
Egoistical Individualism
Classical Liberalism
Egoistical individualism = the view that people are essentially self seeking and self reliant. Views society as a collection of independant individuals
Developmental Individualism
Developmental individualism = the view that individual freedom is linked to the desire to create a society in which each person can flourish and grow
Tolerance
A willingness to accept values, customs and beliefs with which one disagrees
Freedom/liberty
The ability and right to make decisions in your own interests based on your view of human nature
Positive freedom
Modern Liberal
Having the capacity to act on ones free will and to realise personal potential
Negative freedom
Classical Liberal
Freedom from the inteference by other people
(people should only be subject to externtal restraint wjen their actions potentially affect others not when their actions only affect themselves)
Who developed Negative freedom?
John stuart mill - Benthams idea of pursuit of pleasre, avoidance of pain was too simplistic so he put forward the idea of Negative freedom (people should only be subject to externtal restraint wjen their actions potentially affect others not when their actions only affect themselves)
Development of positive freedom?
T.H. Green - Mills idea too limited as it viewed society as a collection of independant atoms, Green argued that society was an organic whole in which people should puruse the common good as well as their own interests
Natural Rights
Natural rights are those that are not dependent on the laws or customs of any particular culture or government, and so are universal, fundamental and inalienable (they cannot be repealed by human laws, though one can forfeit their enjoyment through one’s actions, such as by violating someone else’s rights)
Natural law is the law of natural rights.
The Enlightenment
Mid 17th Century intellectual movement of belief in reason rather than faith (John Locke began to question the relationship between individuals and governments)
Mechanistic theory
The theory that people created the state to serve them and act in their interests
Economic liberalism
Capitalism, an economic system with private property, individualistic in nature and of ultimate benefit to all
Lassiez faire capitalism
An economic system organised by the market, where goods are produced for exchange and profit and wealth is privately owned
Limited government
Where the role of the government is limited by checks and balances, and seperation of powers, because of the corrupting nature of power
Equality of opportunity
The idea that all individuals should have equal chances in life to rise and fall
Foundational equality
Rights that all humans have by virture of being born, which cannot be taken away
Meritocracy
A society based on the basis that success is based on ability and hard work
Enabling state
A larger state that helps individuals to achieve their potential and be free
Social contract
An unofficial agreement shared by everyone in a society in which they give up some freedom in return for security
Keynesianism
An economic system that requires government involvement to stimulate the economy to achieve full employment and price stability
Formal equality
The idea that all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society
Harm principle
The idea that individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals
State of nature
This was a philosophical device used in 17thc by both thomas hobbes and John locke to justify the very different types of political state they were proposing. It referred to what life might have been like before laws, formal rules and governments came into being
Core beliefs between the two strands on the state
- Both believe in the decentralisation of the government and protection of civil liberties
- Both believe in a mechanistic theory
Differing beliefs on the state
- Classical liberals believe that the state should merely lay down the conditions for ordeley existence and leave other issues in the hands of private individuals and businessess. Minimal nightwatchman state - states role is to maintain social order, enforce contracts and provide defence against external attack, shouldnt interfere in economic and social life
- Modern liberals in contrast believe in an enabling state - due to rising inequalities - new liberals supported the polices of welfare as the way to bring about equality of opportunity
Core beliefs between the two strands on the economy
Differing views on the economy
Core beliefs on human nature
Differing views on human nature
Core beliefs on society
Differing views on society
Core beliefs on freedom/liberty
Both agree and value freedom
Differing beliefs on freedom/liberty
- Classical liberals believe in negative freedom and egotistical individualism
- Modern liberals belive in positive freedom and developmental individualism
John locke
John Stuart Mill
Mary Wallstonecraft
John rawls
Betty Friedan
