Liberalism Key Thinkers

Question 1

When did John Locke live?

Answer 1

17th C (1632-1704)

Question 2

What party did John Locke belong to?

Answer 2

The Whig party (early liberals)

Question 3

What important work did John Locke contribute to Liberalism and modern society?

Answer 3

‘Two Treatises of Government’ 1690. The blueprint for Liberal Democracy

Question 4

What were the main things that John Locke believed in?

Answer 4

• Rulers and citizens are subject to the law
• Gov’t should be limited by consent from below (social contract)
• Natural rights and natural laws (people are equal in rights)
• Power of reason and rationality over religion or tradition

Question 5

When did Mary Wollstonecraft live?

Answer 5

18th C (1759-97)

Question 6

What aspect of liberalism did Mary Wollstonecraft focus on?

Answer 6

Rights of women, she was an early feminist and very radical for her time

Question 7

What important work did Mary Wollstonecraft produce?

Answer 7

‘A vindication of the Rights of Women’ 1792

Question 8

What did Mary Wollstonecraft believe in?

Answer 8

• Women are no more equal or less rational than men
• Formal equality (legal and political rights in society)
• Women should be allowed to pursue a career (although poor women have always worked)
• Equality of opportunity

Question 9

When did John Stuart Mill live?

Answer 9

19th C (1806-73)

Question 10

What work did John Stuart Mill write?

Answer 10

‘On Liberty’ 1859

Question 11

What was John Stuart Mill’s principle?

Answer 11

‘Harm principle’ - human beings should be free to do whatever they want as long as it doesn’t affect other people negatively, or harm other people.

Question 12

What else did John Stuart Mill believe in?

Answer 12

• Humans motivated by pleasure, avoiding pain and bettering civilisation
• Need state intervention to protect the poor
• Flat tax on income
• Inheritance tax
• Tolerance
• Votes for women

Question 13

When did John Rawls live?

Answer 13

20th C (1921-2002)

Question 14

What was Rawls’ main concern?

Answer 14

Reducing inequality in society

Question 15

What did John Rawls acknowledge?

Answer 15

In an ideal world not everyone would agree with his views but that there will be enough ‘overlapping consensus’ on the principles of a just society

Question 16

What theory did John Rawls pioneer?

Answer 16

The ‘veil of ignorance’ theory. It can test fairness in people by making people make decisions without potentially biasing information (e.g. race, gender, sexuality…)

Question 17

When did Betty Friedan live?

Answer 17

1921-2006

Question 18

What was Betty Friedan’s major work?

Answer 18

‘The feminine mystique’ 1963

Question 19

What organisation did Betty Friedan help establish?

Answer 19

NOW (National Organisation for Women)

Question 20

What did Betty Friedan believe?

Answer 20

• Women were held back by society’s expectations that marriage and motherhood were sufficient
• Women should be free to pursue careers
• Reforming society, not re-shaping

Question 21

Who are the 5 thinkers of Liberalism?

Answer 21

• John Locke
• Mary Wollstonecraft
• John Stuart Mill
• John Rawls
• Betty Friedan