Liberalism definitions Flashcards
Foundational equality
The belief that all human beings, no matter who they are, are born equal. This means that they have the same human or ‘natural’ rights and have the same moral worth.
Formal equality
Equal status for all members of society regardless of social background
Equal of opportunity
Ensures that all interested individuals have the same ability to access and the chance of receiving resources, such as employment, housing, or education, without discrimination based on irrelevant factors such as age, race, religion, or gender
Social contract
The obligation to obey civil government under the conditional upon the protection of the natural rights of each person, including the right to private property. Sovereigns who violated these terms could be justifiably overthrown.
Meritocracy
The notion of a political system in which economic goods or political power are vested in individual people based on ability and talent, rather than wealth, social class, or race.
Tolerance
The ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behavior that one dislikes or disagrees with
Mechanistic theory
The idea that the state was created by “man” to serve the people and act in their interests.
Limited government
The idea that there should be clear restrictions on government and its rulers in order to protect the natural rights of citizens
Harm principle
The idea that people should be free to act as they wish if their actions do not cause harm to others
Minimal state
A government whose intervention in the economy is just sufficient to sustain organized economic activity. The responsibilities of a minimal state would include provision of policing, a judiciary, and defense of the nation – also known as a nightwatchmen state
Enabling state
Those disadvantaged within society require state assistance to truly experience a life of liberty.
Negative freedom
Freedom from interference by the state
Positive freedom
Freedom by interference by the state
Keynesians
Governments should solve problems in the short run rather than wait for market forces to fix things over the long run
Laissez-faire capitalism
An economic philosophy of free-market capitalism that opposes government intervention.
Justice
The concept that individuals are to be treated in a manner that is equitable and fair under the law. A society in which justice has been achieved would be one in which individuals receive what they “deserve”.
Reason
A statement or fact that explains why something is the way it is.
Natural rights
Those that are not dependent on the laws or customs of any culture or government, and so are universal, fundamental and inalienable – EG: life, liberty, property.
Utilitarianism
A theory of morality that advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure and oppose actions that cause unhappiness or harm
Modern liberalism human nature
Modern liberals like Mill and Rawls tend to think that such qualities are potential features of human nature, to be developed by enlightened liberal authorities. Friedan would say this needs to be ‘enabled’ by the state
Egotistical individualism v Developmental individualism
Modern liberalism state
Modern liberals like Friedan, in accordance with positive liberty believe state intervention should be extensive to ‘enable’ individuals to reach their potential
Modern liberalism society
Modern liberals like Rawls believe that industrialized and urban societies are those where individuals are less autonomous and therefore require the state. Wolstencroft and Friedan felt that society stifled female individualism.
Negative liberty v Positive liberty
Modern liberalism economy
Modern liberals have more sympathy for the view of John Maynard Keyes – that capitalism requires state management to ensure full employment. ‘Managed’ capitalism – support for supernational organizations like the EU.
Classical liberalism human nature
Classical liberals believe that individuals are innately blessed with these qualities like Locke
Classical liberalism state
Classic liberals, like Mill, in accordance with negative liberty believe state intervention should be minimal and individuals left unchecked unless they hamper the freedom of others.
Classical liberalism society
Classical liberals believe that human society predates the state
Classical liberalism economy
Classic liberals support ‘laissez-faire’ attitude to the economy
Classical liberalism and Modern liberalism human nature
All liberals belief that individuals are generally rational intelligent, keen to prioritize individual happiness and fulfillment.
Classical liberalism and Modern liberalism state
All liberals believe that the state should function according to prearranged rules and procedures, with power fragmented and authority subject to the consent of the governed.
Classical liberalism and Modern liberalism society
All liberals see society as a collection of diverse and potentially autonomous individuals, seeking self-determination, self-realization and self fulfilment.
Classical liberalism and Modern liberalism economy
All liberals believe that the economy should be based on private property and private enterprise
