Liberalism Flashcards
Who are the Classical Liberals?
Locke, Wollstonecraft and Mill
Who are the Modern Liberals?
Rawls and Friedan
Which government does Locke outline?
Government by consent and constitutionalism: limited government, codification and the separation of powers
What does Locke say about natural rights?
They are entitlements: life, liberty and property
What does Locke mean by rule of law?
Only the state and civil society can safeguard natural rights, and these are equitably applied to all citizens
What does Locke think on property rights?
Should protect property rights
How does Locke justify the origin of unequal possessions?
He argues that the labourer benefits in an economic system involving inequality
Which societal hierarchy is Locke critical of?
The ‘divine right of kings’
Locke exclusively applies toleration to whom?
Religion and Protestants
What is Locke’s ‘Social contract theory’?
Individuals voluntarily surrender certain rights and freedoms in exchange for the protection and benefits of living in a society governed by laws
How does Locke argue human nature is rational?
Men are inquisitive and understand the world through experience
Why did Locke argue people would still cooperate in the state of nature?
Still ‘governed’ by natural rights
What does Wollstonecraft argue regarding women and the state?
Formal equality and freedom from discrimination: free from the constraints of patriarchy
What does Wollstonecraft say about rights and gender?
Women are entitled to the same rights as men
What does Wollstonecraft argue is essential for cultural and economic progress?
Freedom
Which type of equality in society does Wollstonecraft outline?
Foundational equality, as ‘Virtue can only flourish among equals’
What does Wollstonecraft say women must not passively accept?
Cultural gender roles and attitudes
Which societal hierarchy is Wollstonecraft critical of?
The Divine Right of Kings and ‘husbands’
Wollstonecraft believed in which form of social progress?
The betterment of women’s status, to benefit society as a whole
Did Wollstonecraft value marriage?
Yes, as an institution: a partnership of equals
How did Wollstonecraft view human nature?
Individualism and Rationalism: women are independent beings, capable of reason
Did Wollstonecraft have a positive or negative view of human nature?
Positive view
What is Mill’s Harm principle?
Says the only justification for state limitations to liberty is to prevent harm to others (other-regarding actions)
Mill believed the state should act in which ways?
Accountability and transparency (Freedom of Information Act)
Did Mill support negative or positive liberty?
Negative liberty
Why did Mill argue for freedom from restraint?
Individual choice and experimentation (self-regarding actions), as the individual is sovereign
Did Mill support Capitalism and the free market?
Supported a free market economy and laissez-faire
Why did Mill say the merits of negative liberty should also apply to the exchange of goods, services and labour?
To promote rationalism, choice, agency and utility
Which tax is Mill in favour of?
Income taxed at a single rate (‘flat tax’) and inheritance tax
Which philosophical strand does Mill follow?
Utilitarianism
What is Mill’s ‘infallibility argument’?
Partial truths- free speech is essential because we can never be sure our beliefs are completely true
What does Mill believe society should be characterised by?
Choice, consent, toleration, freedom of thought and expression and complete equality of men and women
Which major problem does Mill have with current society?
Tyranny of the majority, vulnerability of minorities
What are Mill’s fundamental beliefs of human nature?
Rationalism and Individuality: individuals know what they want and what is in their interest
How does Mill believe humans can progress?
Progress by free speech
Which sort of justice did Rawls want in the state?
Justice beyond mere formal equality
Which of Locke’s concepts did Rawls agree with?
Social contract theory
What is Rawls’ 1st principle of justice?
The liberty of the individual must be maximised, save harming others
How did Rawls argue the redistribution of wealth should be done?
Via an enabling state
What is Rawls’ 2nd principle of justice?
The most economically and materially disadvantaged members of society are provided for as best as possible
How did Rawls feel about Communism and Capitalism?
Rejected extremes of communism or unregulated capitalism
Which democracy does Rawls favour?
Favoured a ‘property-owning democracy’
What is Rawls’ idea of distributive justice?
States institutions must be driven by justice
What is Rawls’ difference principle in society?
Inequality is justified with genuine equality of opportunity
What does Rawls say on the original position and the veil of ignorance?
That, rationally, one would create a society whereby the least fortunate are provided with adequate means of happiness, as it could be them.
Which type of equality does Rawls highlight?
Foundational equality
Describe Rawls’ view of human nature.
Rational and empathetic
What do individuals need in life to feel complete?
Individual self-fulfilment
Why does Friedan outline equality of opportunity?
As education is central to emancipation and genuine equality
What is Friedan’s interpretation of legal equality?
Women are as capable as men, oppressive laws and social views must be overturned
Why does Friedan say there isn’t equality of opportunity in the job market?
Because women are being held back from their potential due to the limited number of jobs that are deemed ‘acceptable’ for women
What does Friedan say are the causes of inequality?
Cultural, social and religious attitudes are the cause of inequality, more so than the state
In which area of society does Friedan highlight the need for equality of opportunity?
Equal opportunity in education
Which two aspects are fundamental to Friedan’s interpretation of human nature?
Individual freedom and self-realisation
What does Friedan say led women to become wives and homemakers?
Conditioning rather than biology
