Liberalism Flashcards
What are the 7 main features of Liberalism?
Individualism - People have the right to self interest
Freedom - Free rights, assembly, speech, religion
Egalitarian - Equality for everyone - not superiority
Rationalism - humans have the ability to think logically
Free Market - Liberalism and capitalism go hand in hand.
Democracy - The right to control a limited government
Private Property - Owning assests
What are the two main types of liberalism?
Classic and Social
What are the 3 main features of liberalism?
Liberty, equality and freedom
Why is Liberalism so important?
Liberalism is arguably the dominant ideology of modern society. We live in a liberal democracy which has intimate connection with capitalism (liberal capitalism).
What is Classical Liberal?
- NO government intervention
- Free Markets
- Independence/Agency
What is Social Liberalism?
- Limit government to help with structure/regulation
- Support redistribution of wealth
- Support welfare
What does John Locke say about liberal people?
Man has property rights over himself and all he invests himself in
What is liberalism primarily based on?
Self-interest
People in liberal societies are…
rational utility maximizers
What does Locke say about government and the Private Sphere?
government should not pervade every area of social life, which is a separate sphere
Why does Locke propose a limited government?
‘state of nature’– belief that people can act within the laws on nature
What is negative freedom? (Berlin)
I am free if no one stops me from doing what I want to do
What is positive freedom? (Berlin)
I am free if I have the resources needed to do what I want to do
What is a criticism of liberalism?
Liberalism ignores structural inequalities. Power structures effect both of these types of freedom. E.g Middle class have more resources than lower/working class
What is a criticism of the liberals idea of self-interest and rationality?
Free Rider
