liberalism Flashcards
where did liberalism originate from
the reformation- a religious movement, decreased influence of the church
the enlightenment- religion was no longer the only thing underpinning society
what theory did John Locke champion
what did this oppose?
mechanistic theory- human beings are intelligent and are able to create a political system for themselves and by themselves which was based on reason
the monarchy- monarchs were previously unassailable due to the divine right of kings
what is the divine right of kings
the idea that god has given them power as he has chosen them to be monarchs
list 4 liberal fundamental concepts
1) humans are rational beings able to make decisions for themselves
2) people should have the freedom to make their own decisions absent from government control
3) freedoms such as property and of speech
4) government has a limited role- only where necessary, eg national defence
what are 3 of the features of a liberal democracy
1) a constitution which guarantees freedoms (like US)
2) All individuals have equal political rights through the voting system- gives government authority
3) separation of powers to prevent concentration
define egotistical individualism
the belief that humans are driven by self interests and the pursuit of happiness without conflict
explain liberal views on human nature
- optimistic
- naturally self serving and self seeking
- egotistical individualism
- dont believe life is planned out by god, the individual can work towards their goal and plan their own life
- rational beings that can act in their own self interest seeking pleasure and avoiding pain
explain liberal views on society
locke- natural society with natural rights and laws, whom main purpose is to facilitate individualism allowing people to flourish and seek freedom
- property is key- allows individuals to develop their potential, providing opportunities for civilised communities
explain liberal views on the state
- needed to prevent clashes between individuals pursuing their own egocentric agendas (like a referee)
- rejects traditional state of monarchy, absolutist and arbitrary rule
- power must be dispersed to prevent too much concentrated power
- ‘government by consent’ Jean Jaques Rousseau- also known as the social contract- govt is only effective when it has proper mandate
- John stuart mill- the state should tolerate everything unless it violates the harm principle
- aristocracy has place in the state
what is the harm principle
the idea that so long as no one is getting hurt u can do what u like
what do liberals disagree with in the makeup of the parliament
hereditary peers in the house of lords as they are unelected aristocracy
describe equality of opportunity
all individuals are born equal and have equal rights and are of equal values so must have equal opportunities to develop their potential, if an individual fails it is their own responsibility and not the state
summarise the liberal state in three points
1) limited govt
2) separation of powers
3) formal equality
explain liberal views of the economy
- support for capitalism comes from liberals love of private property which sits at the heart of capitalism
- Adam smith promoted free market economics which he beliveved would increase prosperity and reduce poverty
- Adam smith also said capitalism would allow wealth to trickle down to everyone- some view this as naive
early classical liberals:
revolutionary potential
locke argued the state should be driven by representatives of the people rather than masters
idea associated with the English civil war
early classical liberals:
negative liberty
negative liberty- freedom as an absence from restraint
individuals are naturally free unless something puts a break on this
early classical liberals:
minimal state
govt should be limited in how much power it has to exercise
Thomas Jefferson “the government which governs best is the government which govern the least”
what did Thomas Jefferson say about state and liberty
“the government which governs best is the government which governs least… when government grows our liberty withers”
early classical liberals:
laissez faire capitalism
represents liberal approach to the markets economy as expressed by Adam smith- end tariffs and duties
what are the four things that early classical liberals favour
minimal state
negative liberty
revolutionary potential
laissez faire capitalism
where did later classical liberals emerge from
built on early liberalism but responded to the industrial revolution amongst other events
explain the later classical liberal concept of tyranny of the majority
what’s an issue with this
Jeremy Bentham said people seek to maximise pleasure and minimise pain, consequently the state needed to make decisions for the greatest good for the greatest number of people (issue= some people are unaccounted for)
what did Samuel smiles say about the state
if self help was overturned by state help, their liberty would be damaged
what did the slightly radical Herbert Spencer say which conflicted Samuel smiles
he said ALL individuals can rise to the challenge of self help, and the feeble feckless and failing jeopardise this for other capable people, he tried to apply principles of natural selection to these feeble people
