Liberalism Flashcards
What did Thomas Hobbes believe?
He was concerned with the problem of social and political order
His goal was the security of the collective which could be achieved only at the expense of individual security
People beed order and peace to flourish. The government needs to force people or be strong to make them behave. If the government can’t create peace, people should remove them
What did John Locke believe?
He deeply opposed the authoritarianism of the church and the state, and believed that individuals had the right to use reason and logic to make their own decisions
People are fundamentally reasonable and respectful of others, and need to have people’s respect. Consent of the governed must be held. Gov’t must secure the people’s right, otherwise they can be overthrown.
What did Montesquieu believe?
Believed in the worth of the individual, the equality of individuals and the accountability of the government
Each citizen had to participate in and be aware of the law and the workings of the government
What did John Stuart Mill believe?
Interested in the protection of individual freedom and the promotion of individual decision
The only limitations that should be placed on an individual were those that would protect the liberty of others
What is Laissez-Faire economics?
Reduction of government involvement in the economy
Individuals need to be given freedom to make their own decisions
Individuals selfishness and competitiveness will inadvertently improve their own societies
What did Adam Smith believe?
Believed that if people worked for themselves everyone (including the state) would be better off
His work provided the foundation of the capitalist system and his ideals became the basis of lassiez-fairs capitalism
What is Luddism?
A protest movement of the early 1800s against industrialization and mechanization
Protesters broke into factories and destroyed machines
What is Chartism?
A working-class movement in Britain that focused on political and social reform in the 1800s
What is Socialism?
Any ideology that contains the belief that resources should be controlled by the public for the benefit of everyone in society, and not by private interests for the benefit of private owners and investors
What do Utopian Socialists believe?
Humanitarians who advocated an end to the appalling conditions of the average worker in the industrial capitalist countries of the 19th century
People who believed it was possible to work to bring about a better world that obvious evils can be eradicated
What is Communism/Marxism?
A system of society with each member working for the common benefit according to their capacity and receiving according to their needs
What is Classical Conservatism?
An ideology that says government should represent the legacy of the past as well as the well-being of the present
That society should be structured in a hierarchical fashion
That government should be chosen by a limited electorate
That leaders should be humanitarian
Stability of society is all important
What is Welfare Capitalism?
A state in which the economy is capitalist, but the government uses policies that modify the market forces in order to ensure economic stability and a basic standard of living for its citizens
What is Keynesian Economics?
In order to lessen the severity of a recession, governments should spend money and reduce taxes, thereby leaving more money in people’s pockets to spend on the economy
During inflationary (“boom”) periods, governments should spend less money and increase taxes thereby leaving less money in people’s pockets, and less spending will soften the “boom”
What are Labour Standards?
Government-enforced rules and standards aimed at safe, clean, working environments, and the protection of workers rights to free association, collective bargaining, and freedom from discrimination
What was Chapter 3 about?
The ideas of Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Smith, and Mill were radical notions that were met with resistance during the era in which they emerged
Responses to classical liberalism resulted in new social, economic, and political structures that significantly changed French, American, and other Western societies
While the conditions of the working class were deplorable, the middle and upper class accrued enormous economic benefits
What was Chapter 4 about?
Various ideologies developed in opposition to classical liberalism to create equitable political, social, and economic systems
Classical liberalism evolved through the improvements of the lives of labourers, the acceptance of unions, and the extension of equality rights
Fundamental classical liberal values did not change, but the priorities assigned to these values were adjusted to achieve the welfare state
What is individualism?
Individualist ideologies advocate for individual rights and freedom from both government and collective restrictions
Promotes principles such as personal achievement, autonomy, self interest, individual responsibility, and self-reliance
See government as a negative, interfering, and counterproductive
Tied to classical liberalism
What is collectivism?
Collective ideologies endorse the idea of working cooperatively to solve problems and manage economic and social issues
Emphasizes group goals and the common good
See a positive role for government assistance and control in regard to the economy and social issues
Ironically the value behind both the rejection of liberalism and the foundation of modern liberalism
What are the principles of individualism?
Rule of law
Individual rights and freedoms
Private property
Economic freedom
Self interest
Competition
What are the principles of collectivism?
Economic equality
Cooperation
Public property
Collective interest
Collective responsibility
Adherence to collective norms
In a modern democracy what does the government need to maintain?
Stability (to ensure democracy and no extremism)
Legitimacy (the government represents everyone and is for the people)
What did Rousseau believe?
Social contract, in which people give up some of their natural rights to the government in order to receive social order and security for themselves
Government must always reflect the will of the people
