liberalism mine Flashcards
thinkers x5
- john locke
- JS Mill
- Mary Wollstonecraft
-John Rawls - Betty Friedan
how did the enlightenment advance liberalism
(coinciding with the English Civil War)
Characterised by a belief in reason rather than faith, and thus promoted relentless debate and scrutiny on ideas that were blindly accepted.
Ideas that emerged: each individual is someone with free will, that each individual is the best judge of their own interests, that each individual’s life should be shaped by their actions and decisions.
free will definition
Each individual is the best judge of their own interests and an individual life should be shaped by their own actions and decisions.
mechanistic theory
This argues that mankind is rational and therefore capable of devising a state that reflects mankind’s needs. It was a pointed rebuff to notions like the divine right of kings , which argued that the state reflected God’s will and obedience to it was a religious duty
social contract theory define
Social contract theory - the state of law must adhere to the consent of the citizens to accept the state, in return for the state improving their situation
BY LOCKE
principles of classical liberalism
individualism
freedom and liberty
role of the state
rationalism
foundational equality
principles of classical liberalism - individualism
Liberals stress the importance of the individual over any claims by groups or collective bodies. Immanuel Kant (German enlightenment thinker) argued that individuals are unique, equal and should be the ‘ends’ not the ‘means’.
- Egoistical individualism – people are essentially self-seeking and self-reliant. This idea downplays the idea of any idea of collective society.
- Developmental individualism – this is more widely held as a view in the modern world and plays down self-interest as a main motive for individuals’ actions. The concept justifies the idea of state intervention in order to help the disadvantaged.
principles of classical liberalism - freedom and liberty
“When there is no law, there is no freedom” - John Locke.
Mill - harm principle (negative freedom).
Bentham - Government should not prevent people from doing what they choose unless it threatens the ability of others to do the same. All action is based in rational self-interest. The quote most associated with the utilitarian view is, “the greatest happiness for the greatest number”.
T.H. Green saw society as both individual and collective. individuals were also interested in the common good and created the idea of ‘positive freedom’. Individuals should be able to control their own destiny, develop personal talents and achieve self-fulfilment. Some limited state intervention would be needed to make this possible.
principles of classical liberalism - role of the state
Liberals accept that the state is needed to avert disorder and to protect the vulnerable in society. However, liberals tend to distrust power as they believe individuals are self-seeking and therefore those that have power may pursue their own interests at the expense of others.
Liberals therefore want to see a limited government with checks and balances on the exercise of power, e.g. US Constitution. Typical features of a liberal constitution would be the separation of powers and a codified bill of rights. However, it can be so safeguarded it can be unworkable adn outdated.
classical liberal principles - rationalism
individuals should be free to exercise their own judgement about what is best for them and do not need to be guided by external authorities such as the state or the Church.
Liberals were encouraged in this thinking by the development of scientific learning in the 18th and 19th centuries which liberated people from blind faith in established authority, tradition and superstition.
This also connects to their idea of faith in reason which states that personal development of an individual will lead to advances in society – a progressive society.
classical liberal principles - foundational equality
rule of law, all are equal in rights. all people should be able to reach their potential.
Classical liberals believed that individuals with different talents should be rewarded differently. The resulting social inequality is good for society because it incentivises hard work and innovation. They favoured a meritocracy.
modern liberal - Von Hayek
neo-liberalism represented the “third strand” of liberal ideology. wanted constitutional reform and a free market. economically right.
different to cons AS favoured radical change, not so much conservative stability based on belief for human potential
He was in support of constitutional reforms which checked executive powers, however would have opposed social policies associated with conservativism ( Cameron’s governments promotion of marriage via the tax system. (other neo liberals, like those at the Adam Smith institute did oppose
what enabled neo-liberal views to gain prominence
The economic crisis of the 1970’s- led to Keynesian economics and welfare spending being brought into question, with neo liberals re advertising the merits of negative freedom and a minimal state. Bill for public spending is unsustainable. Cradle to grave dependency apparent in the trade unions who were given whatever they want. He was arguing there was an entitlement culture since the new generation had taken welfare for granted.
