Liberalism key definitions Flashcards
What is the social contract?
A contract between the individual and government, where the individual gives consent to obey government laws and in return the state improves their life.
What is egotistical individualism?
Humans naturally seek to advance their own happiness and interests. This selfish approach involves self-restraint and co-operation as the individual wants to have their rights respected, so in turn must respect the rights of others.
What is negative freedom?
A concept of liberty or freedom that sees it as meaning an absence of constraint, described by the liberal thinker Isaiah Berlin as ‘freedom from’ rather than ‘freedom to’.
What is the harm principle?
Government can only extend their power over the individual to prevent them from harm, it cannot extend its power over the individual in relation to self-regarding actions.
What is formal equality?
Equality under the law, as well as the principle that every individual is entitled to equal treatment in society.
What is individualism?
The belief in the importance of the individual over the collective within political thought, which is central to liberalism, and also that the individual exists prior to society.
What is individuality?
Mill’s belief in the uniqueness of each individual. Freedom was needed to allow them to constantly develop their distinctive talents, characteristics and knowledge.
What is hedonism?
Happiness is the ultimate good and can be measured as pleasure and the absence of pain. This idea is based on the quantity of pleasure rather than the quality.
What is developmental individualism?
Focuses on personal growth and flourishing rather than just self-satisfaction, emphasising what the individual can become rather than what they are.
What is positive freedom?
‘Freedom to’ rather than ‘freedom from’. The individual is free to develop, flourish and pursue their own version of the good life.
What is a welfare state?
The provision of education, health, housing and social security by the state.
What is equality of opportunity?
All individuals have equal chances, so inequalities generated by society must be tackled.
What is foundational equality?
All humans are born morally equal and so are deserving of equal natural rights, which are enshrined in law as legal and political rights.
What is the Difference Principle?
Economic inequality is permissible if there is equality of opportunity, and the inequalities in society are only justifiable if they are to the greatest benefit of the least-well off.
What is collectivism?
The idea that the collective rather than the individual is the main economic, social and political unit.
