Liberalism politics Flashcards
What is Liberals general view on Human nature
Rational
Self interested
Unique
What is the harm principle
John S Mills idea that actions which are “self regarding” are distinguished between “other regarding” actions that can damage others.
Only can have freedom if not inflicting pain upon others
What is the social contract
Idea that individuals are governed by consent
What is Locke’s view on the state and religion
the state is not created by God nor “legitimised by the divine right of God”
What is Lockes opinion on the state of nature
Hobbes original idea
Lock believes that within the state of nature the human race is underpinned by natural laws, natural rights and natural liberties
- state must not encroach on these freedoms
How did TH Green broaden Mills ideas
said that society was organic not atomistic as some classic liberals argued and that there is a common good
What is negative freedom
Freedom through absence of constraint
What did Isiah Berlin say about negative freedom
“freedom from” rather than “freedom to”
What is positive freedom
Freedom with the state playing a positive role to assist individuals achieving their dreams
What is an example of positive freedom
State funded education
What type of state do classic Liberals want
small neutral referee
what type of state do modern Liberals want
potentially large enabling state
What theory underpins most of John S Mills work
Utilitarianism
theory of morality that advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure and oppose actions that cause unhappiness or harm
What did John S Mill say about negative freedom
“People should only have their freedom limited if
their actions are causing harm to others”
What did John S Mill say about negative freedom
People should only have their freedom limited if
their actions are causing harm to others.
What does the social contract idea tell us about Liberals
Liberals believe that the state gets its legitimacy from below
What did Lord action say about power
‘Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts
absolutely’
Why do Liberals believe in limiting the state to an extent
The state is necessary to guarantee freedom
Sovereign state has the potential to harm peoples freedom and any threat is greater than any in the state of nature
What ways can the powers of a government be constrained internally
Separation of powers
Bill of rights
Rule of law
What did De Tocqueville say about democracy
“Democracy would lead to the tyranny of the majority”
What do liberals think about democracy giving power
Liberals believe that democracy gives decision
making power to the uneducated masses who will
make poor decisions.
What types of equality do classic liberals believe in
Foundational equality
Formal Equality
Equality of opportunity through
negative freedom and free markets
Inequality of outcome to provide
incentives to work hard
What types of equality do modern liberals
Foundational equality
Formal Equality
Equality of opportunity through
‘enabling state’
Some equality of outcome through
redistribution
What do Classic Liberals believe in social justice
Meritocracy - income inequality
based on equality of opportunity
NOT inequality based on race,
religion, gender, privilege
NOT redistribution of any kind
Economically wrong –
damages incentives
Morally wrong – to take
people’s just rewards for
their skills and talents
What do modern Liberals believe in regarding social justice
Meritocracy
Income inequality based on equality
of opportunity
NOT inequality based on race,
religion, gender, privilege
BUT – equality of opportunity demands
an ‘enabling state’ which will mean
some redistribution.
What type of individualism do classic liberals believe in
Egoistical individualism
What type of individualism do Modern liberals believe in
Developmental
individualism
What is the veil of ignorance
John Rawls idea that people will develop fair principles if they are ignorant of their position in society
Rationalistic idea
What is Rawls difference principle
the only inequality
that is justified is that which makes
those at the bottom of society better off
What did Betty Friedan believe about opportunity
Believed that women were the principal victims of a lack of opportunity
Restricted opportunity due to the patriarchy
