Liberalism Flashcards
Outline toleration and a thinker
A willingness to accept views or actions which one is in disagreement with
Based on the principle of pluralism – a belief in diversity and choice, political power is evenly distributed
Represents the goal of personal autonomy and extends to all matters in the private sphere
J.S.Mill – toleration allows for personal autonomy and human development
Outline justice and the divisions in liberalism and a thinker
Social justice is the notion of a fair and justifiable distribution of wealth and rewards in society
Classical liberals promote meritocracy – people are rewarded by their talents
Political justice is the notion of everyone being equal before the law -liberalism as an ideology is difference blind
Rejects nepotism – gaining on fair advantages through family connections
Classical liberals – strict meritocracy on economic and moral grounds
Cant – individuals are ends in themselves not a means for achievement for the end of others
Modern liberals -justice is created through social equality through creating equality of opportunity
John Rawls - Economic inequality is only justified if it benefits the poorest in society
Outline constitutionalism and its features and why liberalism promotes it and thinker
Constitutionalism = protecting liberty through the establishment of internal and external checks on power
Features:
Separation of powers
Rule of law
Individual rights
Constitution protects individual freedoms and rights and prevents the state from dominating individual
Inclusion of the rule of law gives order and legal justice
James Madison: checks and balances (through constitution) on government restrains tyranny on the individual and makes government more responsive to competing minorities
Outline social contract theory and thinkers
Hypothetical agreement among individuals through which they form a state to escape this order and chaos of the state of nature
Individuals must sacrifice a portion of the liberty to be protected by the state
In this way, the state serves the interests and needs of the people
If this date is not legitimate, the people have a right to rebellion
Locke: if there is no law there is no freedom
Locke: The state is a necessary evil that protects life, liberty and property
Strengths Of constitutionalism
Protect citizens with Bill of Rights
Separation of powers allows for checks and balances on the government
Accountability is achieved through rule of law
Government bodies are limited through the legal constraints of the consitituion
Outline negative freedom and a thinker
Negative freedom by C/L
Freedom from external constraints
Religious freedom in this context is free from interference for religious imposers
economic freedom. In this context is laissez faire economic without state intervention
No legal or social constraints on occupation, residence, religious faith
Adam Smith - The market operates according to the wishes of three individuals.freedom within the market means freedom of choice
Outline positive freedom and a thinker
Positive freedom by modern liberalism
Freedom to act upon one’s will
The state needs to intervene to make sure all citizens have equal opportunity
Welfare provisions e.g. free healthcare, holiday pay, unemployment support
High-quality universal education
Estate needs to mitigate inequality is caused by the market economy
William Beveridge - the state can limit inequality and allow individuals to achieve self fulfilment
Outline individualism and a thinker and the ML AND CL VIEW
Individualis thought to possess distinctive qualities.Each individual has special value
Primacy of the individual before the collective
Acceptance of private property, low taxation, private healthcare/education, Less state intervention
Promote equality of legal rights (CL goal)
CL: egotistical individualism placing emphasis on self interestedness
LOCKE: government should not interfere with individual liberty
Promote equal opportunities for all individuals (ML GOAL)
ML: Prioritise human development over interest satisfaction
T.H.GREEN: freedom is the ability for the individual to flourish and attain individuality
Outline reason and rationalism and a thinker
Human beings are rational, thinking creatures
This idea was inspired by the enlightenment period with the emergence of science and the rejection of religious influence
Focuses on progression
Pursuing own interests instead of interests of the church
ML: capacity for reason means individuals must be given the opportunity to make their own decisions and express individuality
CL: capacity for reason means everyone is entitled to legal rights. Aware of self seeking nature but reason allows for negotiation and debating to prevent chaos
Explain the key features of modern liberalism and thinkers
Individuality – self-fulfilment achieve through realisation of their unique qualities
J.S.Mill – the individual is sovereign over himself his body and his mind
Positive freedom – recognises liberty may be frightened by social disadvantage so aims to create equality of opportunity
T.H.Green – freedom is understood in positive terms, it allows people to realise their personal potential
Social liberalism – defends welfare based on equal opportunities if particular individuals are disadvantaged
John Rawls – redistribution of wealth and welfare state based on equality and fairness
Economic management – rejects laissez faire economic. In high unemployment times the government should cut taxes and increase public spending
T.H.Green - The unrestrained pursuit of profit results in inequality
Outline the features of classical liberalism and thinkers
Natural rights – rights are God-given and are fundamental to humans. The main reason for government is to protect these rights
Jefferson – right on natural and inalienable we are entitled to them by virtue of being human
Utilitarianism – utility is used value.individuals aim to maximise pleasure and minimise pain
Jeremy Bentham – individuals are motivated by self interest and the desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain
Economic liberalism – prevention of the states role in managing international trade(mercantilism) and open free market provides pleasure to self interested individuals
Adam Smith - freedom in the market is freedom of choice
Social Darwinism – the attitude to poverty and social inequality is that hard workers will prosper and the lazy will not.inequalities of wealth social position and power is inevitable and natural
Darwin – evolution theory - species evolved to survive, some species are less fortunate and it’s harder to survive (reference to social class)
Neoliberalism – aims to reverse state intervention and promote market fundamentalism (the market is the solution to all economic and social problems) the economy works best without government interference
Friedman – attacked economic role of government As it simply beyond their capacity
