Liberalism: Society Flashcards
AGREE: Wish to create a meritocratic society
A liberal society is one in which everyone has foundational equality and formal equality . This would help ensue ‘equality of opportunity’. Each and every individual in society should have the chance to rise or fall in society, your success should be based on talent not privilege. In a meritocracy, inequality is justified as it reflects the unequal distribution of talent. William Summer put it ‘the drunkard in the gutter is just where he ought to be’. Liberal feminists like Mary Wollstonecraft and Betty Friedan advocated, to enjoy formal equality, as women were victims of restricted opportunities within society because of patriarchal attitudes. Friedan in particular, was influenced by classical liberalism in her belief that if the state allowed equality of opportunity , then women’s individual efforts could achieve the successful combination of a career, marriage and motherhood.
AGREE: Society is separate from the state
All liberals believe a civil society, in what they describe as a ‘realm of freedom’, should be separated from the government, a ‘realm of coercion’. Societies that are controlled by the state are not free societies. However, the state needs to step in if ‘self regarding’ actions are overtaken by ‘other regarding actions’, J.S.Mill termed it the ‘harm principle’. Way down the line, this principle was upheld by John Rawls, who agreed that everyone is entitled to the widest possible liberty, consistent with the liberty of all.
DISAGREE: Differing views on state involvement in society
For classical liberals, liberty is a ‘negative’ concept. The must confine itself to that of a ‘night-watchmen’, to pose as little constraints on as possible. Thomas Paine put it ‘The best government is which governs the least’.
In contrast, modern liberals see liberty as a ‘positive’ concept. Individual freedom means self-actualising, becoming the best person you can be. Thus, an ‘enabling state’, is needed to provide extensive welfare to the less fortunate to improve their condition. As proposed by William Beveridge in the ‘Beveridge Report’ (1942), state provision to tackle the ‘five giant’ evils threatening personal freedom. For that purpose an ‘enabling state’ is needed to provide opportunity for citizens to reach their potential.
DISAGREE: Differing views on how to achieve a meritocracy
Classical liberals endorse a strict meritocracy, on the grounds of fairness and incentives.
Modern liberals argue that although a meritocracy maybe be just, it may not result in social justice, thus, both foundational and formal equality itself is not enough to guarantee equality of opportunity. In ‘A Theory of Justice’ (1971), John Rawls using an abstract ‘Veil of Ignorance’, demonstrated the need for social justice. To allow every equal life chances, an ‘enabling state’ would have to intervene to provide extensive welfare. Economic inequality is only justifiable if it incentivizes rather than demoralises the poor.
