liberalism branches

Question 1

what is the classical liberal view on the economy

Answer 1

• the market is a series of self-regulating transactions between self-interested individuals
• the market leads to the most efficient (profitable) allocation of resources- adam smith
• government intervention leads to the ‘dead hand’
• inequalities were natural- meritocracy
• promotes negative freedom

Question 2

what is the classical liberal view on the state

Answer 2

• the state is important to ensure equal liberty for all
• the state should be based on individual consent
• the state should be limited by a consitution, seperation of powers and democracy to prevent the state infringing on the rights of individuals

Question 3

What is the clasical liberal view of society

Answer 3

• atomistic view of society
• society is a realm of freedom
• individuals are born equal, success should be based on merit (social darwinism/ survival of the fittest)
• tolerance
• formal equality, foundational equality

Question 4

what is the clasical liberal idea of human nature

Answer 4

• individuals are egoisic: self interested and self reliant
• identity is not defined by social catagories such as gender
• individuals are rational and capable of development
• individuals are best placed to determine what is in their interest
• egoistical individualism does not create conflict due to rationality

Question 5

what is the classical liberal view on freedom?

Answer 5

• argue for negative freedom: absense of constraints
• freedom allows rational individuals to persue their goals and make progress

Question 6

what is the classical view of rights?

Answer 6

• rights are ‘natural’: god given at birth
• rights are ‘inalienable’

Question 7

what is the modern liberal view on individualism?

Answer 7

developmental individualism: there should be a focus not just on the presuit of utility but the encoragement of a focus on individual development

Question 8

what is the modern liberal view of freedom?

Answer 8

• will negative freedom is necessary it is not sufficient.
• positive freedom

Question 9

what is the modern liberal view of human nature?

Answer 9

• indivdiduals can be alturistic and possess both social and individual responsibility

Question 10

what is the modenr liberal view of the state?

Answer 10

• enabling state with a range of social and economic responsibilities
• the state should “help individuals to help themseleves”
• liberal democracy- governing by consent
• checks and balances on state power

Question 10

what is the modern liberal view of the economy?

Answer 10

• mixed economy, use injections to prevent recession
• response to industrialisation
• state has a responsibilitty to create conditions to allow indivdiuals to reach their potential - state used to create a meritocracy
• believed that this approach was rational (rawls) and aligned with liberal values

Question 11

what is the modern liberal view of society?

Answer 11

• equality of oppertunity

Question 12

what are the areas of agreement over the state?

Answer 12

• state should promote freedoms
• state is necessary but should be limited
• formal equality, tolerance, minority rights
• state should be based on liberal democracy

Question 13

what are the areas of disagreement over the state?

Answer 13

• ML enabling state vs CL nightwatchman
• ML want more state intervention in the economy
• ML want more intervention to reduce inequality and promote social juctice

Question 14

what are the key areas of agreement over the economy?

Answer 14

• capitalism is the system that best promotes individual freedom
• inequality holds women back

Question 15

what are the key areas of disagreement over the economy?

Answer 15

• mixed vs free market (based on their ideas of freedom)
• CL believe that capitalism promotes a meritocracy ML dont (E of Op)

Question 16

what are the key areas of agreement over the society ?

Answer 16

• society should promote individual freedom
• tolerance and minority rights
• equality and social juctice

Question 17

what are the key areas of disagreement over the society?

Answer 17

• negative v positive freedom
• egoistical vs developmental individualism
• formal equality and meritocracy vs equality of oppertunity

Question 18

what are the key areas of agreement over the human nature?

Answer 18

• rationalism and individualism
• indviduals have natural rights

Question 19

what are the key areas of disagreement over the human nature?

Answer 19

• egoistical vs developmental
• negative vs positive freedom