Liberalism Key Thinkers Flashcards
What is the profile of John Locke?
Believed in Life, liberty and property, government should be beholden to the people.
What did Locke believe about Human Nature?
Guided by rationalism, humans are driven by egotistical individualism, humans are respectful to others.
What did Locke believe about the State?
State wasn’t created by a celestial power, ordinary people aren’t subject to the state. State of nature existed before the state.
What did Locke believe about Society?
There was a natural society before the state serving man’s interest, society isn’t dependent on existence of a state. Obligation to obey government is conditional upon protection of natural rights.
What did Locke believe about the Economy?
Property is a natural right, predates the state. Property owned by many offers protection.
What is the profile of John Stuart Mill?
Wrote in the 19th century, believed in Individual liberty over power of the state.
What did Mill believe about Human Nature?
An individuals’ actions should always be tolerated. Human action is self regarding. Human nature is a work in progress.
What did Mill believe about the State?
Violent behaviour harms freedom of others. Should be forbidden. Education is a way in which greater tolerance could be encouraged.
What did Mill believe about Society?
Main job of liberals is to create conditions for an individualistic society. State should tolerate all actions and opinions unless they violate the harm principle.
What did Mill believe about the Economy?
Property facilitated individualism, incentivising individual enterprise. Unequal outcomes are consistent with meritocracy. Commends laissez faire capitalism.
What is TH Green’s profle?
Studied and taught consciousness and free will. Wrote in the 19th century.
What did TH Green believe about Human Nature?
Human beings are motivated by a desire to promote the common good. Personal happiness is derived from attending to happiness of others.
What did TH Green believe about the State?
State should promote widest possible degree of choice/opportunity. State should prioritise individual liberty. Only the state can ensure universal education.
What did TH Green believe about Society?
Individuals rely on societies that tolerate their individualism. Greater enlightenment produces greater consensus.
What did TH Green believe about the Economy?
Market economy, state should promote social justice. Laissez faire capitalism led to unjust outcomes, failed to consider welfare of less fortunate.
What is the profile of John Rawls?
Wrote in Mid-late 20th century - post war. Believed that basic liberties should never be infringed upon.
What did Rawls believe about Human Nature?
Human beings choose a society where the poorest members fared better. Individuals are motivated by self interest and a sense of justice.
What did Rawls believe about the State?
Enabling state extensive public spending and progressive taxes. Government by consent, redistribution of wealth.
What did Rawls believe about Society?
Foundational equality meant that there was greater social and economic equality to ensure a just society. Fairer society.
What did Rawls believe about the Economy?
Public spending and progressive taxation. Redistribution of wealth. Reduce inequality, tax and spend. Gap between richest and poorest would not narrow.
What is the profile of Mary Wollstonecraft?
Wrote during 18th century, wrote about women and their role in liberal societies. Observed the French revolution.
What did Wollstonecraft believe about Human Nature?
Both males and females are guided by reason, female individualism, women are complicit in their subjugation.
What did Wollstonecraft believe about the State?
State had an important role in fostering virtue-moral development and equality. Critical of patriarchal structures dominating society.
What did Wollstonecraft believe about Society?
Natural rights applied to men and women, rights such as right to property were withheld from women.
What did Wollstonecraft believe about Society?
Women should not be economically dependent on men, women should not be confined to domestic roles. Class influences individuals’ opportunities.
What is the profile of Betty Friedan?
Explored frustrations of women in modern society, wrote at a time of growing women’s rights in society.
What did Friedan believe about Human Nature?
Individuals should seek self determination, and realisation of potential. Women underachieved due to illiberal attitudes in society.
What did Friedan believe about the State?
Modern Liberal - State intervention should be more extensive, enabling us to reach potential. Reject paternalistic state.
What did Friedan believe about Society?
Women’s attitudes of underachievement were nurtured and transmitted via society’s cultural channels. Schools, religion, media, universal suffrage.
