Liberalism Key Terms

Question 1

Political ideology that favours the protection of individual liberty and economic freedom by limiting government power - began in the 17th century

Answer 1

Classic liberalism

Question 2

The way in which goods and services are made, sold and used in a country or area

Answer 2

Economy

Question 3

The role of the state is to enable its people to be free due to equality of opportunity

Answer 3

Enabling state

Question 4

The idea that individual freedom is associated with self-interest and self-reliance

Answer 4

Egotistical individualism

Question 5

Individuals are provided with an equal chance in life regardless of social class, ethnicity, age, gender, sex or religion

Answer 5

Equality of opportunity

Question 6

The idea that all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society

Answer 6

Formal equality

Question 7

The view that we are all born with equal entitlement - these cannot be taken away

Answer 7

Foundational equality

Question 8

A key 20th-century liberal feminist

Answer 8

Betty Friedan

Question 9

The idea that the actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to other individuals

Answer 9

Harm principle

Question 10

The natural qualities and ways of behaviour that most people have

Answer 10

Human nature

Question 11

A set of opinions or beliefs of a group or individual

Answer 11

Ideology

Question 12

A liberal economic theory that states that governments are able to influence the economy without limiting people’s freedoms

Answer 12

Keynesianism

Question 13

The foundational thinker of liberalism. He had a positive view of human nature. His ideas were developed in the 17th century

Answer 13

John Locke

Question 14

An economic system, organised by the market, where goods are produced for exchange and profit and wealth is privately owned

Answer 14

Laissez-fair capitalism

Question 15

The idea that state institutions should be as “small” as possible

Answer 15

Limited government

Question 16

Society whereby jobs and pay are allocated based on an individual’s talent and achievements rather than social status

Answer 16

Meritocracy

Question 17

Nineteenth-century liberal thinker who developed the “harm principle”

Answer 17

John Stuart Mill

Question 18

The idea that the governments should be as limited as possible

Answer 18

Minimal state

Question 19

Ideology which promoted an active government as the best guardian of liberty; both theoretical liberty and effective liberty

Answer 19

Modern liberalism

Question 20

Freedom from government and restrictive laws

Answer 20

Negative freedom

Question 21

Political and economic philosophy that emphasises free trade, deregulation, globalisation and a reduction in government spending

Answer 21

Neo-liberalism

Question 22

Being enabled and supported in such a way as to take control of one’s life and realize one’s fundamental purposes. The idea that freedom is about personal fulfilment and realisation of potential

Answer 22

Positive freedom

Question 23

Modern liberal thinker who based freedom on a “fair society”

Answer 23

John Rawls

Question 24

The idea that humans are thoughtful and act based on reason

Answer 24

Rationalism

Question 25

The invisible contract between people and the state

Answer 25

Social contract

Question 26

A community or group of people having common traditions, institutions and interests

Answer 26

Society

Question 27

When the state’s power is split between equal and supporting parts (often executive/legislative and the judiciary)

Answer 27

Separation of powers

Question 28

Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges within a society

Answer 28

Social justice

Question 29

The community formed by people and exercising permanent power within a specified territory

Answer 29

State

Question 30

The 18th century Classic Liberal and feminist

Answer 30

Mary Wollstonecraft