Liberalism - Key principles Flashcards
What is liberalism?
Ideology of challenge:
Liberalism - generosity, democracy, liberty, equal opportunity, individual rights, open-mindedness, not strict, give freely, political person, favouring reform / progressive, tolerant and accepting of others
The context of liberalism
- Democracy does not exist
- Decisions are made by Kings and Queens, and tyrannical rulers who believe they come from God (Divine Right of Kings -> poor education, poor health, religious society, few examples of democracy, lack of rights for citizens, no popular power / time to challenge)
- You have no power to influence those in charge because you do not own land / are not born into high status
- However - you are intelligent and well educated
The context of liberalism - The Levellers
The Levellers (1642-1651)
- Between the first and second English civil wars, this political group formed from unrest within Commons saw an ‘Agreement of the People’ which challenged (Agitators) the ‘top bottom’ approach to politics where sovereignty lay with the monarch and sought to introduce a ‘bottom top’ approach with adult men gaining the vote
- Committed to popular sovereignty, extended suffrage, equality before the law and religious tolerance, using populism and a stance on political education and equal natural rights - precursor of liberalist beliefs
The context of liberalism - The Glorious Revolution
- The events leading up to the deposition of James II and VII in November of 1688 and the replacement by Mary II and William III of Orange - due to the heirs of James, there was concern over a Catholic dynasty coupled with issues on the prosecution of the Seven Bishops for seditious libel, which was seen as an attack on the Church of England - this sparked a series of riots against Catholicism in England and Scotland, destroying James’ political authority as his continued presence was seen as a greater threat to stability than his removal, especially after he suspended English and Scottish parliaments due to personal decree
- An example of a revolution against a hierarchy / divine right of kings and saw the monarchy be chosen upon a different principle, highlighting the beginnings of religious revolution and showing direct democracy by revolting against a political establishment
The context of liberalism - the Enlightenment and challenge of the Divine Right of Kings
- The Enlightenment - 18th century
Scientific revolution - European scholarly movement; decrease in religious control and precursor for revolution
Why was the divine right of kings challenged?
- Enlightenment period
- Rationalism
- Secularisation
- Questioning the monarchy
- Education becoming more prevalent
‘I think therefore I am’ - Descartes; the point of existence is to think, challenge and hold individual thoughts and a right to think
Context - the 18th century
- Liberal ideas stated to develop - radical and revolutionary ideas
- Wanted power to be in the hands of the many not the few
- Economy to be free from interference
- 1789 - The French Revolution - challenging status quo
- Enlightenment thinking - religion and superstition replaced by reason, rationalist, science, facts, art, literature, questioning, critical thinking
- Development of idea of meritocracy
Rights, freedoms, equality
Context - the 19th century
- Tensions start to erupt - classes become more fragmented and this increasing poverty
- Some liberalists wanted government to interfere, provide welfare and help those who needed it - this = modern liberalism, and others want governments to stay minimal = classical liberalism
Context - the 20th century
- Liberalism appears to have become dominant ideology - Francis Fukuyama - ‘The End of History’ as most parties move to the center
- Liberalism is the most dominant and successful ideology or resurgence of other ideologies
- There is a clash of civilisations theorists (Huntingdon) - clashes between Western Liberalism and Islam
Liberalism and Human Nature
- Positive view of human nature
- Rationalism - can calculate answers to all problems
- Rejected the idea of human nature being tied to the religious doctrine of OG sin
- Large capacity to bring about progress and an unending ability to forge greater human happiness
Individuals are guided by rationality - Innate reason is manifested in debate, discussion, peaceful argument and measured examination of ideas and opinions
Individuals can plan their own future rather than receive a preconceived outcome - Concepts of planning are central rationalism and the ability to shape our own destiny
- Human problems are challenges to be solved; individuals who want something can achieve it through reason and determination
- Rationality is assumed to be a universal feature of human nature, leading to discussion and consensus
- Self-seeking, egotistical individualism
- Drawn to independence, virtue stops destructive selfishness & competition
- Individuals are egotistical and reasonable
- Self-aware individuals, living in peace, harmony and mutual understanding
Liberalism and liberty / freedom
- Natural laws / rights - Locke
- Equal political rights
- Procedures in a liberal constitution
apply to all citizens - All laws passed are applicable
to everyone - Harm Principle
Liberalism and individualism
- Individuals are naturally self seeking
- Egotistical individualism
Importance placed on individual because the main purpose of a natural society is to facilitate individualism - Each person has a unique personality and particular talents, being rational in pursuit of self-interest and are egotistical driven by a wish to be independent and seek freedom
- Maximise the people achieving self determination, self-realisation and self-fulfilment
- The state should protect this
Liberalism and equality / social justice
- Equality of opportunity
- Harm principle
- People are drawn to societies that accommodate their individualism and show tolerance; Locke stated post GR (1688) should tolerate Roman Catholics
- Foundational equality - born equal and therefore must have equal opportunity to develop potential; meritocracy, must take full resp.for failure
- Individuals should be treated with justice and have a just resolution to conflict
Liberalism and the role of the state
- Constitutionalism
- Locke - natural laws and society which have natural rights which precede
- Social Contract Theory - acceptance of Gov to ensure freedom
- Life before the state was pleasant, civilised and long, contradicting Hobbes
- Default setting of any society is a focus on individual freedom
- Individualism and capitalism work best accompanied by a certain kind of state
- Liberal state is founded on rejection of traditional state (monarchy etc) where power is randomly exercised by one individual (DROK rejected)
- State is only legitimate if those under its jurisdiction have volunteered to be there - people have control over state
- MERITOCRACY
- Objectives of the state - rejection of traditional state, government by consent, promotion of natural rights / individualism, promotion of tolerance, EoO, Merit.justice
- Methods of liberal state to complete above -> limited government; governments should rule based on prearranged rules and procedures and natural rights that cannot be eroded -> formal equality - same rights legally, and politically, rule of law doctrine
Liberalism and the Liberal Democracy
- Government is a servant of the people - Locke
- Agree to a social contract - those who contract in to the formal state agree to its rules
- Limited and fragmented gov. it is logical to empower as many individuals as possible if they are all rational
Liberalism and the economy
- Devotion to private property means support of capitalism
- Strongly associated with private enterprise and private economy
- Often described as economic liberalism - will defend a market-based economy and refute anti-capitalist message of fundamental socialism
- Endorsement of capitalism is strongly linked to their positive view of human nature
