LIBERALISM Flashcards
give the 6 primary values all liberals believe in
- individualism
- self sovereignty
- making decisions in your own interest
- individuals know what is best for themselves
- individuals should be safeguarded from others - freedom
- society should maximise individual freedom
- individual liberty should not be infringed or violated - state
- the state is a necessary evil to keep order yet could restrict liberty
- believe in a social contract theory - economy
- promotion and protection of private property
- capitalism - rationalism
- liberals base opinion and actions on reason rather than belief
- experience provides knowledge - foundational equality
- people are all equally worthy of respect
how do classical and modern liberals differ on individualism
*wider discussion on SOCIETY, HUMAN NATURE and the ECONOMY
classical liberals:
- idea that a small and non-interventionist state should be preserved in order to maximise individual potential and develop self-sovereignty
- less collectivist notion of individualism
- more atomistic view of individualism - it enshrines people making their own decisions / serve own interests, with limited interference
- much more traction toward the idea of EGOISTICAL INDIVIDUALISM
- more self-oriented approach to society - self-sufficiency, self-reliance
- humans only want to serve their own interests
- promote ATOMISM
modern liberals:
- prefer a much more COLLECTIVIST approach to individualism
- promote DEVELOPMENTAL INDIVIDUALISM - they believe that human development should be prioritised
- belief that the good of the individual allows for social progress and the good of the whole - prefer individual rights being emphasised because it can help society as a whole
- much more conscious of society and is therefore less independent
- emphasis on the concept of social responsibility - responsibility to recognise and develop your potential to help those around you - genuine ecosystem
- self-interest is maligned by social responsibility
how do classical and modern liberals differ on freedom
*wider discussion on SOCIETY, HUMAN NATURE and the ECONOMY
classical liberals:
- promote NEGATIVE FREEDOM and support the freedom from interference - NO ASSISTANCE
- unrestricted freedom - support freedom being maximised and not compromised
- view those who restrict their freedom as those who burden their rights - feel that any government compromises their freedom = limited government
- individual must have the freedom to pursue their own view
- reinforces the harm principle
modern liberals:
- promote POSITIVE FREEDOM AND NEGATIVE FREEDOM
- promote individual flourishing
- support ideas of helping people to help themselves / be free - assistance needed to maximise freedom
- propose a much more developed notion of freedom, such as a welfare state because they believe this enhances freedom
- dealing with restrictions on freedom can help to enhance freedom - help people help themselves
- idea of distributive justice
- freedom is defined as the ability to achieve individuality and individualism - attain skills etc
how do classical and modern liberals differ on the state
*wider discussion on STATE, SOCIETY and the ECONOMY
classical liberals:
- the state has potential for evil and tyranny = limited / minimal gov intervention to prevent individual rights from being abused
- idea of a NIGHTWATCHMAN state - defend borders, ensure law and order and uphold contracts
- fear of the state
- EGOISTICAL INDIVIDUALISM + NEGATIVE FREEDOM = small state to enable
- individuals should have the sovereignty to manage themselves - link to HARM PRINCIPLE
- more evil than necessary
- feel that the state erodes individual liberty
- emphasis on the fact that taxation creates a dependency culture which erodes the concept of a meritocracy and is a burden on working class individuals
modern liberals:
- concept of DEVELOPMENTAL INDIVIDUALISM and an EXPANSIVE WELFARE STATE
- the state should help people to be healthy to enhance productivity
- the state is a body to enable individuals to flourish and have a free life - promote positive freedom + strong social institutions
- state has a responsibility to help the disadvantaged achieve equality of opportunity - DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE
- more necessary than evil - duty to protect citizens
- links to equality of opportunity = basic welfare infrastructure to protect
- maximise individual potential through providing basic welfare support - mixed economy
- the state has a duty to provide (through basic welfare) to protect / enshrine freedom
- ENABLING STATE
how do classical and modern liberals differ on the economy
*wider discussion on SOCIETY, STATE and the ECONOMY
classical liberals:
- free market and laissez faire capitalist structure
- government should not interfere in the economy because it will upset the balance of the market (because the price is the equilibrium price)
- promote a self regulating market by free individuals
- idea of ALLOCATIVE EFFICIENCY
- markets are all inter-related. therefore, humans are rational enough to make free, economic devisions
- believe that a lack of government intervention allows for efficiency / prosperity
- the government should not interfere with market forces of supply or demand, because if the market is flexible, it can adequately respond to these demands and changes
- the market should operate according to the decisions of free individuals, not the government
- market relationships are voluntary - made by the employee not government
- unrestrained making of profit will later benefit society as a whole
- the market is operating according to an ‘invisible hand’ which promotes harmony despite different social interests
modern liberals:
- there should be government intervention in the market to ensure that point of equilibrium can be met
- KEYNESIAN ECONOMIC ideas
- higher taxation and economic policies - allow for the re-distribution of wealth and employment - KEY AIM OF KEYNESIAN ECONOMICS
- focus on mitigating inequality and stabilising the economy - government intervention and government schemes is the only way todo this
- feel that a self-regulating market lacks stability
- government intervention can enhance employment and productivity
- if the economy is not intervened with, it leads to inequality and unemployment - gov intervention leads to employment
- DEVELOPMENTAL INDIVIDUALISM AND POSITIVE FREEDOM - supported, economically, to achieve their potential
- interventionist policies can guarantee individual prosperity - for example, government spending on welfare can stimulate the economy and create jobs
how do classical and modern liberals differ in their thoughts on rationalism
*wider discussion on HUMAN NATURE
classical liberals:
- human nature is based on rationality - the idea that individuals are rational enough to make self-seeking and suitable decisions for themselves
- humans are rational enough to be independent of the state because they can act with reason to benefit themselves because they know themselves best
- humans (rationally) naturally want to serve their own interests, and are rational enough todo so
- the only good is individual good
- EGOISTICAL RATIONALISM
modern liberals:
- more optimistic view of human nature and rationality - humans work in the rational ways they do in turn to help benefit the people around them
- emphasis on how the individual impacts the community
- the rationale is that humans expect something in return for their actions - idea of self fulfilment
- modern liberal rationality is that individual good is linked to community good - more altruistic approach
- society focused on rationalism with a degree of altruism - interest in wider society
- ALTRUISTIC RATIONALISM
how do classical and modern liberals differ on equality (foundational, formal and equality of opportunity)
*wider discussion on SOCIETY, HUMAN NATURE and the ECONOMY
classical liberals:
- your own actions allow you to rise and fall in society — idea of EGOISTICAL INDIVIDUALISM
- believe that a minimal state and the economy provide adequate equality
- supporters of a meritocracy - those with ability and willingness are ultimately more successful
- support concepts of natural selection and social darwinism - we are all given equal opportunity, it is how you pursue this
- believe that inequalities of wealth, social position and power are a consequence of individual actions
- you are born into a society of equality of opportunity - class structure
modern liberals:
- focus on DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE - resources should be equally allocated to allow for equal opportunities
- believe that because only a minority can rise and fall in society, opportunities for equality of growth must extend
- break the link between poverty and laziness - government sponsored programmes can break this link
- promote the DIFFERENCE PRINCIPLE and VEIL OF IGNORANCE - will allow for a just society and one of equality - this incentivises individuals to work together to achieve
- rawls encouraged people to imagine their ideal society
- a meritocracy can only exist if all people are given equal opportunities
what paragraphs to write about if talking about how modern and classical liberals disagree over SOCIETY
- freedom
- individualism
- equality
- perceptions of a democracy
- the state
- role of the state in the economy
what paragraphs to write about if talking about how modern and classical liberals disagree over HUMAN NATURE
- freedom
- individualism
- rationalism
- equality
what paragraphs to write about if talking about how modern and classical liberals disagree over the ECONOMY
- individualism
- freedom
- the state
- role of the state in the economy
- equality
what paragraphs to write about if talking about how modern and classical liberals disagree over the STATE
- views on the state
- role of the state in the economy
beliefs of Locke on human nature (CLASSIC LIBERAL)
- human nature is to respect and tolerate the views of other people - do not force people to adopt a specific view
- humans are individualists, meaning they should act as they see fit to secure and pursue their own aims / goals
- humans are rational beings - reason teaches mankind about justice
- people are rational enough to take the best means to secure their own goals
- power is with the people - under the social contract theory, if the people no longer consent to the government’s continued abuse of power, they can make a new one
- humans are self-reliant and self-sufficient
beliefs of Locke on the state
- a justification for the government is a protection of rights which should enlarge freedom
- the state can limit individual choice and personal autonomy
- the law exists to restrain individuals from compromising individual freedom of each other, and guarantee freedom for each individual
- idea of the social contract - the only justification of the state is to preserve freedom and individual rights to protect them from being violated - must have the consent of the electorate to enter into a contract in which you promise to act on their behalf - legitimate
- limited government - the government should only stay within its boundaries of its role (enforce contracts, protect property / borders and promote order)
- condemns the centralisation of power because it doesn’t align with the public good – prevents being dictatorial
- illegitimate and non-representative governments which lack consent should be overthrown by the people as it fails to protect individual rights, and does not ensure people’s freedom
- people should sacrafice some of their rights and subscribe to a government to further enhance and protect individual rights
- right of rebellion - people have a right to rebel against the government if they fail to fulfil individual interests
- the state / government is key to providing order to a ‘state of nature’
- the government should not intervene with individual views
-freedom can only exist under the law
beliefs of Locke on the economy
- protection of private property to enlarge individual freedom using labour
- someone’s labour belongs to them to create goods which belong to them
- meritocratic economy - wants to reward industriousness and investing in labour - laissez faire, free market economy
- your labour is yours - when you mix your labour with something, it becomes yours
beliefs of Locke on society
- idea of ‘natural rights’ which apply to all people
- society > government - balance of power so that governments have an obligation to society
- society should submit some of their liberty to form a government to further protect freedom
- all people have the right to “life, liberty and property”
- society has a duty not to deprive others of their liberty and rights - individuals should be safeguarded against one another
- the purpose of the law is to preserve and enlarge freedoms
- supports a society which places emphasis on foundational equality, with all people being born of the same rank and value
- society and the economy are central
beliefs of Mill on human nature
- individuals should be free to pursue their own notion of a good life - humans are rational enough to pursue their individualism
- emphasis on individualism so promote human flourishing + pursue your own life trajectory
- however, humans should have some liberties restricted, given their abilities to harm one another - safeguard - again, overarching importance of freedom
- humans need freedom of expression and knowledge to advance their own ideas and challenge them against others to create healthy debates and promote innovation - tolerance + understanding
- humans have and crave higher and lower pleasures, of which Mill believes that higher pleasures are superior to lower pleasures (lower = eating, drinking etc, higher = pleasure, philosophical ideas etc)
- humans cannot be happy without higher pleasures, as they know the limitations of the world - allows humans to be less content because they understand the limitations of the world
- individuals naturally want to take control of their own lives and achieve self-realization
- contest and debate will accelerate social progress
- individual health above social health
- individuality of human nature allows social progress to be accelerated, and not restricted - no conformity
beliefs of Mill on society
- belief that individuality can create a healthy society (freedom and individualism are at the heart of society)
- the harm principle is the overarching idea in society - the idea that people should be able todo what they want as long as they do not harm others in doing so
- believes that society should be divided based on knowledge, with those who have more knowledge having more votes - those with more political wisdom should have more votes to prevent the amplification of narrow interests and representation of all
- individuality will eradicate any potential for social tyranny which leads to the conformity of ideas
- fear of the tyranny of the majority - therefore important that all ideas are amplified (including minority opinions)
- pluralism and tolerance will create a vibrant society and enhance individual freedoms - no oppression - freedom of speech / expression
- freedom leads to individualism - society should promote freedom using the harm principle
- priority on individual rights, such as freedom of speech, to enlighten others and progress society
- society should orientate around negative liberty - society is naturally a collection of individuals who pursue their own good
- all individuals in society are equally valuable - idea of tolerance as freedom of expression guarantees your autonomy - different views enrich society
- utilitarianism - idea that you should do what brings the greatest good for the greatest number of people - developed, modern interpretation of society
- society is a collectivist body and is built around interdependence - if someone harms themself, they harm those around them - it is a social duty to help those around you - developmental individualism and an enabling society
- society is a network / web - if someone is at risk of harming someone else they must control themselves to prevent corruption - minimise harm to the maximum number of people
- social duty - not an atomistic society
beliefs of Mill on the state
- Mill defended the role of the government using the harm principle - the state prevents people harming one another and eroding individual freedom
- believed in a representative democracies which has sufficient resources and a culture of self reliance to allow people to have a voice in government
- the government must prioritise the common good and provide for its citizens, whilst not creating a dependency culture
- the state should promote a level of participation in the political lives of citizens / active traits of citizens
- the government should use adequate resources to promote the common good of society
- the only purpose for the state exercising power over society is to prevent harm to others
- harm principle places a limit on what the government can do
- the state cannot tell what the individual todo, because the individual is sovereign
- the state is key in maintaining order - acts as a predator to maintain control among the prey (promote order from above)
- promote limited government to maximise individual liberty
- rebellion against an unrepresentative government is justified - doesn’t promote the common good
- the state is a restriction on freedom - especially if there is unchecked power of a state
beliefs of Wollstonecraft on human nature
- individuals are rational enough to be treated as equals - women too have the intellect and rationale to make independent decisions
- humans crave self autonomy and freedom
- humans are all of equal moral worth - foundational equality, and so fundamental rights should extend to both genders
- reason rules in human decisions
- the worth of women stems from self-command and knowledge, not appearance
- liberals believe women are not secondary in nature to men and should have power over themselves
- women have natural intellectual capabilities which would contribute to a vibrant society
- individuals have a desire to command themselves and command their knowledge
beliefs of Wollstonecraft on the state
- belief that the state should increase access to education - expansive, enabling state to allow for equality and for women to have access to an institution to undo social barriers
- the state can provide freedom to women through education
- promote a more enabling state to promote broader educational
provisions - the state should be limited by a social contract to protect rights and liberties
beliefs of Wollstonecraft on society
- equality of opportunity to pursue what you want and foundational equality
- society should be based on equality, and should provide adequate resources for this to be acknowledged and to give people the opportunities to maximise their independence - foundational equality
- society should not put false expectations on people, as it limits and inhibits their freedom and ability to maximise their potential
- society should put in place a more expansive state to provide women with proper systems of education
- in order to defend basic, fundamental rights, society must rid women of the web of false expectations which make society less cohesive
- society should promote a system of fair education, to provide women with the opportunity to defend their basic rights and disentangle them from misery
- society should promote this individuality of women, to distance themselves from entrenched social expectations
- women not being emancipated limits their potential and their abilities in society
- society has created a level of blind obedience, thereby women are incapable of defending themselves - liberal value that society should emancipate others
- idea of LIBERAL FEMINISM
beliefs of Friedan on human nature
- idea that women are rational, and should therefore be able to live the life of their own choosing and have personal autonomy to directly influence their life conditions - women are rational enough so decisions do not have to be made for them
- concept of developmental individualism - humans are constantly striving to develop and grow in society
- women are as rational and as capable as men
- all humans crave freedom and individualism
- freidan believes in developmental individualism and humans striving to become the best versions of themselves
- the ability to have choice enables freedoms to achieve fulfillment
- individuals are naturally drawn to serving their own interests
beliefs of Friedan on society
- society should place emphasis on foundational and formal equality, yet should still promote a meritocracy in society
- believes in a society which promotes developmental individualism and positive freedom to help people pursue their own aims and maximise their potential
- women are insufficiently free in society
- society should advocate for equality of opportunity to allow women to have the same opportunities to thrive in society and allow women to feel fulfilled (FEMININE MYSTIQUE - social view of female fulfillment)
- society has a paternalistic culture which should be eroded, to allow women to have equal positions in society and not have their lives dictated for them
- society thought that women should have no desire for higher orders
- society imposes a ‘problem without a name’ on women and imposes a double burden on them
- society should assist developmental individualism through positive freedom and providing equal opportunities for women to excel beyond the domestic sphere
- gender is a major hinderance to females
- society’s ability to entrench expectations on females which do not satisfy them convince women away from using their own rationality
- supports legal equality for women which should be furthered into equality of opportunity (MIRRORS RAWLS)
- social norms stifle free choice liberty and individualism
