Liberalism Key Terms Flashcards
What is Classical Liberalism?
Political ideology that favours the protection of individual liberty + economic freedom by limiting government power (17th Century)
What is the Economy? (to Liberals)
The way in which goods and services are made, sold, and used in a country or area
What is an Enabling State?
The role of the state is to enable people to be free due to equality of opportunity
What is Egotistical Individualism?
The idea that individual freedom is associated with self-interest and self-reliance
What is Equality of Opportunity? (to Liberals?)
Individuals are provided with an equal chance in life regardless of social class, ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality or religion
What is Formal Equality?
The idea that all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society
What is Foundational Equality?
The view that we are all born with equal entitlement i.e. there are inalienable rights of man - that cannot be taken away
Who was Betty Friedan? (simplified)
A key 20th century Modern Liberal thinker
Wrote ‘The Feminine Mystique’ (1963)
Highlighted ‘The Problem with No Name’ within society - common discontent with all women about their life
What was the Harm Principle?
The idea that the actions of the individuals should only be limited if to prevent harm to other individuals
What is Human Nature? (to Liberals)
The natural qualities and ways of behaviour that most people have
What is an ideology?
A set of opinions or beliefs of a group or an individual
What is Keynesianism?
A Liberal economic theory that states governments are able to influence the economy without impacting of people’s freedomsW
Who was John Locke? (simplified)
The foundational KEY THINKER of Liberalism
Had a positive view of Human Nature
Developed his ideas in the 17th Century
What was laissez-faire capitalism?
An economic system, organised by the market, where goods are produced for exchange and profit, and wealth is privately owned
What is a Limited Government? (to Liberals)
The idea that state institutions should be as ‘‘small’’ as possible
What is Meritocracy?
Society whereby jobs and pay are allocated based on an individual’s talent and achievements rather than social status
Who was John Stuart Mill? (simplified)
19th Century KEY Liberal Thinker
Developed the ‘Harm Principle’
Related to both Classic and Modern Liberalism
What is a Minimal State?
The idea that government should be limited as possible
What is Negative Freedom?
Coined by Isaiah Berlin
Freedom from government and restrictive laws
What is Neo-Liberalism?
Political and economic philosophy that emphasizes free trade, deregulation, globalization and a reduction in government spending
What is Positive Freedom?
Coined by Isaiah Berlin
Being enabled and supported in such a way as to take control of one’s life and realize one’s fundamental purposes
Freedom - personal fulfilment and realisation of potential
Who was John Rawls? (simplified)
Modern KEY THINKER Liberal who based freedom on a ‘fair society’
Developed the theory of ‘Distributive Justice’
What is Rationalism?
The idea that humans are thoughtful, and act based on reason
What is the ‘Social Contract’ theory?
The invisible contract between the people (governed) and the state (government)
What is Society?
A community or group of people having common traditions, institutions and interests
What is ‘separation of powers’?
When ‘the state’s’ power is split between equal and supporting parts (often the executive/legislative and the judiciary)
What is Social Justice?
Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges within a society
What is a State?
The community formed by people and exercising permanent power within a specified territory
Who was Mary Wollstonecraft? (simplified)
The 18th century Classical KEY THINKER Liberal + Feminist
Pushed for education equality
