Liberalism - Key Ideas

Question 1

What are the 7 key features of Liberalism?

Answer 1

• Human Nature
• Liberty / Freedom
• Individualism
• Equality / Justice / Tolerance (AKA, Equality)
• The Role of the State
• Liberal Democracy
• Constitutionalism / Social Contract

Question 2

(HUMAN NATURE) Do Liberals have a positive or negative view on Human Nature?

Answer 2

They have a POSITIVE view!

Question 3

(HUMAN NATURE) Explain what Rationalism is.

Answer 3

Humans are guided by reason rather than prejudice or emotion.

Liberals believe that humans need to be free to make decisions about their own interests!

Rationalism creates a progressive society, as people move to develop on the society that currently exists and make it better and beneficial for everyone.

Question 4

(HUMAN NATURE) What does Locke say about Human Nature? HINT: Consent to Govern!

Answer 4

He believed that people had VOLUNTARILY given consent to the government to govern over them!

Question 5

(HUMAN NATURE) Explain what the State of Nature is, according to Locke?

Answer 5

Locke believes that humans are overwhelmingly peaceful –> Humans submit some of their freedom to the government through laws and democracy, in order to maintain out inalienable rights (such as our liberty) and reinforce and uphold the freedoms that we do have.

Question 6

(LIBERTY / FREEDOM) What quote is attributed to Voltaire, regarding the Freedom of Speech?

Answer 6

‘I detest what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it’

Question 7

(LIBERTY / FREEDOM) Explain what the ‘Harm Principle’ is and what key thinker cam up with it?

Answer 7

Mill came up with the ‘Harm Principle’!

The ‘Harm Principle’ = Where the State and other people in society should allow everyone to do what they want, as long as they do not cause harm to other people!

Mill = He believes it is better for us to make our own mistakes (as long as we don’t cause harm to others), rather than letting the state control our liberty and restrict what we can do!

Question 8

(LIBERTY / FREEDOM) Explain what Mill identified to be ‘Self-Regarding’ actions!

Answer 8

Self-Regarding Actions = These are actions that individuals exercise absolute freedom over –> People of legal age smoking!

Question 9

(LIBERTY / FREEDOM) Explain what Mill identified to be ‘Other-Regarding’ actions!

Answer 9

Other-Regarding Actions = These can restrict the freedom of others or do them harm, and therefore individuals should not have absolute freedom to carry out these actions –> People of legal age smoking inside / around young children!

Question 10

(LIBERTY / FREEDOM) What thinker came up with ‘Positive and Negative Freedoms’?

Answer 10

Isaiah Berlin came up with ‘Positive and Negative Freedoms’!

Question 11

(LIBERTY / FREEDOM) Explain what is meant by ‘Negative Freedom’ and what branch of Liberalism this links to!

Answer 11

Negative Freedom = Freedom from things that may hurt us –> EG: No slavery!

This is associated with Classical Liberalism!

Question 12

(LIBERTY / FREEDOM) Explain what is meant by ‘Positive Freedom’ and what branch of Liberalism this links to?

Answer 12

Positive Freedom = Freedom to do things you want to do –> EG: Pupil Premium!

This is associated with Modern Liberalism = Positive Freedom can only exist when everyone has the positive opportunity to realise their potential and realise their freedom!

Question 13

(INDIVIDUALISM) Explain what Egoistical Individualism is!

Answer 13

Egoistic Individualism - When humans only set out to advance themselves!

Society is made up of self-interested individuals who know what is best for them; they are seen as self-reliant rather than relying upon others or the state to look after them –> Dislike the welfare state and anything that tries to achieve equality of opportunity

EG: Liz Truss’ government and raw capitalism

Question 14

(INDIVIDUALISM) Explain what Developmental Individualism is!

Answer 14

Developmental Individualism - Placing an emphasis on an individual’s ability to reach their potential and become the best version of themselves –> Supporting the welfare state and policies that try to achieve equality of opportunity

EG: Pupil Premium

Question 15

(INDIVIDUALISM) TRUE OR FALSE: Developmental Individualism is often contributed to MODERN liberalism!

Answer 15

TRUE - Egoistical Individualism is often contributed to CLASSICAL liberalism!

Question 16

(INDIVIDUALISM) What does ‘Atomism’ mean?

Answer 16

Oneself is an ethical end; the universe and everything in it is made up of singular atoms –> Links to Classical Liberalism!

Question 17

What is the definition of Paternalism?

Answer 17

Paternalism is whereby authority is exercised from above for the guidance and support of those below and it is modelled on the relationship between fathers and their children (as seen with the Tsar during the autocracy in Russia)!

Question 18

TRUE OR FALSE: Liberals are NOT against Paternalism!

Answer 18

FALSE: Liberals ARE AGAINST Paternalism, as they believe they individuals should be able to govern themselves, to some extent!

Question 19

Why do Liberals place such a high emphasis on education?

Answer 19

They believe that the expansion of knowledge (mainly through scientific revolutions) gives people the capacity and the ability to take control of their own lives and be independent.

Scientific revolutions allow each generation to ‘advance’ and make progress –> This allows change and reformation to society to follow in its place!

Question 20

(EQUALITY) What is the definition of Foundation Equality?

Who agrees with this?:

• Classical Libs
• Modern Libs
• Both of Them

Answer 20

Foundational Equality = Human beings are seen to be ‘born’ equal; each individual is of the same moral worth )as seen with natural rights and human rights)!

Both branches of Liberalism agree on Foundational Equality!

Question 21

(EQUALITY) What is the definition of Formal Equality?

Who agree with this?:

• Classical Libs
• Modern Libs
• Both of Them

Answer 21

Formal Equality = Legal Equality and Political Equality –> ‘Equality before the law’; all non-legal factors, such as age, gender, sexuality etc, should be irrelevant to the process of legal decision-making. Political equality references the idea of ‘one person, one vote; one vote, one value’ –> References the importance of democracy to Liberals!

This is agreed on by Classical Liberals; Modern Liberals believe that the State needs to intervene more to help out and reach Formal Equality (similar to the debate between Liberal and Radical Feminists; one believes that the State do enough, the other does not)!

Question 22

(EQUALITY) What is Equal Citizenship?

Can you link this to an idea in US Politics? (Synoptic Link)

Answer 22

Liberals believe that everyone should have the same formal status in society!

They disapprove of any social privileges or advantages in society that are given to some people but are denied to others on the basis of ‘irrational factors’, such as gender, race and social background!

This links to the use of ‘Affirmative Action’ in the USA; Liberals would be against this as they believe that Liberalism needs to be ‘difference blind’ + treat everyone equally!

Question 23

(EQUALITY) What is the definition of Equality of Opportunity?

Answer 23

Each and every individual should have the same chance to rise or fall in society; we should play the ‘game of life’ on an even playing field. Liberals believe that social equality is undesirable, as people are not born with the same determination, the same values and the same ambition to work hard and earn; people are also not born with the same living conditions and living circumstances.

Question 24

(EQUALITY) Why do Liberals agree with Meritocracy?

Answer 24

They believe that it is right to reward merit / live in a meritocratic society because it gives people an incentive to work and reach their full potential.

However, in terms of living in a meritocratic society, they believe that people should have an equal opportunity to develop their unequal skills and abilities, so that it is a fair race to the rewards; it is down to who works harder, not who has more!

Question 25

(EQUALITY) Explain what Martin Luther King meant by ‘Content of Character’!

Answer 25

MLK says that people should not be judged by their gender, their religion, their sexuality etc, but they should be judged on the ‘Content of their Character’, such as their personality traits and the features.

Question 26

(ROLE OF THE STATE) What Economist looks at the ‘Role of the State’, in regards to Liberalism?

Answer 26

Adam Smith!

Question 27

(ROLE OF THE STATE) What 3 legitimate functions did Smith believe that the State should have?

Answer 27

1. Maintaining a system of justice - The Judiciary System / Supreme Court
2. Defence against foreign aggression - The military and protection
3. Maintaining public works - Propping up of ‘lame-duck industries’

Question 28

(ROLE OF THE STATE) What term did Adam Smith coin and what does this mean?

Answer 28

‘The Invisible Hand of the Market’ = The State should do very little to intervene in society; all they need to do is their 3 legitimate functions and the economy / the market forces will guide the rest!