liberalism Flashcards
1
Q
what is classical liberalism?
A
- focuses on negative freedoms, the idea that individuals should be left free from external constraints provided they do not harm
- advocate for a minimal state that protects life, liberty and property
- support free-market capitalism
2
Q
who are the key thinkers for classical liberalism
A
- John Locke
- Early John Stuart Mill
- Mary Wollstonecraft
3
Q
What is modern liberalism
A
- freedom requires the ability to reach one’s potential, known as positive freedom
- believe the state should play an active role in removing social and economic barriers through welfare, education and regulation.
- Supported a mixed economy with some state intervention to correct inequalities
4
Q
Who are the key thinkers for Modern Liberalism?
A
- John Rawls
- Thomas Hill Green
- LATER John Stuart mill
- Betty Freidan
5
Q
What are the core principles of liberalism?
A
- Freedom: freedom of the individuals to act or think as they choose provided they do not infringe others rights
- Individualism: society should be constructed to ensure and protect individual freedoms and rights
- Rationalism: Liberals believe that humans are capable of making decisions that would help there development
- Equality: all individuals should have equal political and legal rights. ‘equality of opportunity’
6
Q
What was John Locke’s view on human nature
A
- humans are rational and self-interested but also capable of cooperation
- people are born free and equal, possessing natural rights
- Believed in natural rights which would be protected by the state under the social contract
- individuals would have to give up some of their rights
7
Q
What are natural rights?
A
- Life: the right to live and not be harmed by others
- liberty: the right to make choices about one’s life
- property: the right to own and gain possessions through labour
8
Q
What was John Locke’s view of society
A
- society precedes the state
- the role of government is to protect pre-existing freedoms
9
Q
What was Locke’s social contract?
A
- in the state of nature, people lived freely but need security for their rights
- the social contract is the agreement where individuals consent to form a government that protects their natural rights
- if the government fails to protect these rights, people have a right to rebel
10
Q
How did Locke view the economy?
A
- supported free markets, private property and minimal state interference
- property rights were key to liberty
- the state should settle disputes fairly rather than intervene in trade
11
Q
What was John Locke’s view on the state?
A
- should be representative and govern by consent
- rejected absolute monarchy, advocating for constitutional monarchy
- if the state fails to protect rights of the property, the people have a right to rebel
12
Q
Who was John Stuart Mill?
A
- liberal key thinker focused on harm principle, free will and utilitarianism
- provided the bridge between classic and modern by developing early liberal thinking on freedom
- toleration and representative democracy
13
Q
How did Mill view human nature?
A
- humans are rational but always evolving and improving
- education and freedom of speech helps individuals reach higher levels of development
14
Q
What was Mill’s view on society
A
- the best society is one where ‘individuality’ co-exists with tolerance and self-betterment
- individuality: individuals should be free to live their life provided they don’t harm
- tolerance: society should tolerate diversity of opinions and ways of life, respect freedom of others
- self-betterment: individuals should strive to improve themselves, both intellectually and morally
15
Q
How did Mill view the economy?
A
- Laissez fair capitalism was vital to ensure progress in the economy
- allow individuals to reach their full potential
16
Q
What was Mill’s view on the state
A
- approved of democracy
- But citizens need a certain level of education to be able to vote
17
Q
Who was Mary Wollstonecraft?
A
- classical feminist liberal
- advocated for gender equality
- welcomed the American Revolution 1775 and the French Revolution 1789 as they did not protect rights
18
Q
What was Wollstonecraft’s view in human nature?
A
- men and women have equal capacity
- patriarchy has suppressed women’s development but with education they can be equal
19
Q
What was Wollstonecraft’s view on society?
A
- society was losing out by preventing women from fulfilling their potential
- society ‘infantilises’ women and prevents female individualism
- education is key to allowing women to become independent and equal
20
Q
What was Wollstonecraft’s view on the state?
A
- the state should be a republic which guarantees equal rights for men and women
- government should ensure equal access to education for men and women
21
Q
How did Wollstonecraft view the economy?
A
- the economy would benefit from the contributions of liberated women
- preventing women from participating limits overall progress
22
Q
Who was John Rawls
A
- modern liberal
- Wrote ‘Theory of Justice 1971’ which argues the gov should aim to achieve liberty for all
- the role of liberalism is too create social conditions where all people can succeed and live the live they choose to
23
Q
What was Rawls view on human nature
A
- human’s are empathetic
- humans are also self-interested by also concerned about the welfare of those around them
24
Q
What Was Rawls view on the state?
A
- state intervention is necessary to create equality of opportunity
- the state should enable real equality through public spending
25
Q
What was John Rawls view on society?
A
- a society is one where inequalities benefit the poorest
- proposed the veil of ignorance to create fair principles
26
Q
what was the veil of ignorance?
A
- prevents individuals from knowing who they are and what they may become
- if individuals had to choose a society from behind this ‘veil’ they would choose a fairer, more equal society
27
Q
How did Rawls view the economy?
A
- free-market capitalism should also have state intervention to ensure the poorer citizens have equal opportunity
28
Q
Who was Thomas Hill Green?
A
- emphasised the difference between positive freedom and negative freedom
- the state should enable and protect individuals to allow for equal opportunities
- But the state should only intervene when there is a clear sighting of liberties being infringed e.g. slavery
29
Q
What was T.H Green’s view on human nature?
A
- humans are rational but are influenced by social and economic issues
- many living in poverty were unable to fulfil their potential to due constraints
30
Q
What was T.H Green’s view on the state?
A
- state should remove social and economic obstacles to allow for people to fulfil their potential
- promoted positive freedom (ability to act on one’s free will and control one’s own life)
31
Q
What was T.H. Green’s view on society?
A
- emphasised the importance of equality of opportunity
- enabling state was necessary to improve health, education and living conditions of the poor to allow for them to reach their full potential
32
Q
What was T.H Green’s view on the economy?
A
- a free market is the most important to allow for individual success
- but there must be some gov intervention to improve the condition of the poor within the capitalist structure
33
Q
What are the different tensions within liberalism in regard to human nature?
A
- classical liberals see the qualities as natural for individuals and that individuals develop best
- modern liberals build on JSM’s view that rationalism needs to be developed
