Liberalism Flashcards
Egotistical individualism
Humans naturally seek to advance their own happiness and interests. This selfish approach involves self-restraint and co-operation as the individual wants to have their rights respected, so in turn must respect the rights of others.
Equality of opportunity
The concept that all individuals have equal life chances, so inequalities generated by society must be tackled. If there is equality of opportunity, inequalities which result from differences in ability, creativity and hard work are acceptable.
Fiduciary power
The state holds its power in trust and must act in the interests of and for the benefit of the people, otherwise the social contract is invalid.
Formal equality
Equality under the law, as well as the principle that every individual is entitled to equal treatment in society.
Foundational equality
All humans are born morally equal and so are deserving of equal natural rights, which are enshrined in law as legal and political rights.
Harm principle
John Stuart Mill argued that the government can only rightfully extend its power over the individual to prevent actions or beliefs that bring harm to others. It cannot extend its power over the individual in relation to self-regarding actions to protect the individual’s own good. For example, it is right to stop person A destroying the property of person B, but wrong to stop person A from destroying their own property.
Individualism
The individual is of the utmost importance and is placed above the collective.
Meritocracy
Social position and economic reward are based on talent and hard work. Where there is equality of opportunity, there is an incentive to work hard and realise your talent, for the betterment of the rest of society
Negative freedom
A concept of liberty or freedom that sees it as meaning an absence of constraint, described by the liberal thinker Isaiah Berlin as ‘freedom from’ rather than ‘freedom to’
Positive discrimination
State intervention to give preferential treatment to particular groups in society to tackle historical discrimination and inequalities in society. Affirmative action in the USA is an example of positive discrimination.
Positive freedom
Isaiah Berlin defined it as ‘freedom to rather than ‘freedom from’. The individual is free to develop, flourish and pursue their own version of the good life.
State of nature
A concept used by political thinkers such as Locke and Hobbes to describe the hypothetical original characteristics of humankind and how people related to each other in a time before states and organised governments.
Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers view individual liberty.
1 - LOCKE - classical liberals, ‘negative liberty’ eg the state should play a limited role and only intervene to protect the rights of others
Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers view the economy.
Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers define freedom.
Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers have viewed human nature
Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers have viewed the role of the state
Self-realisation
Discovery of own ‘true’ self
Self-determination
Mastery of our own fate
Self-fulfilment
Making the most of our unique talents
