Liberalism - society, economy, state

Question 1

society

Answer 1

 Belief in a ‘natural society’ where certain ‘natural rights’ are enjoyed. Life before the state was not “nasty, short and brutish” as Hobbes asserted but potentially pleasant, civilised and long.
 Main purpose of society is to facilitate individualism.
 Property is a natural right.

Question 2

Economy

Answer 2

 Support an economy that puts private property at the heart of all economic arrangements –
strongly associated with private enterprise and private ownership of economy.
 Support capitalism – capitalism routinely described as economic liberalism. Endorsement of capitalism strongly linked to positive view of human nature. Defend a market based economy.
 Adam Smith has asserted that if obstacles to free trade were swept away, the ‘invisible hand’ of market forces would guide traders towards success, and resulting wealth would ‘trickle down’ to everyone.

Question 3

state

Answer 3

Liberalism accepts that within the state of nature, there would be clashes of interest between individuals pursuing their own egotistical agendas. Therefore a mechanism – a state – is required to arbitrate effectively and resolve competing claims of individuals.
 Rejection of traditional, monarchical, absolutist or arbitrary rule with power concentrated in an individual. E.g. reject divine right of kings.
 Government by consent and Social Contract: Believe government should have consent of the governed – be the servant, not the master of the people as Locke maintained. Agree to accept the states authority and restrictions in return for protection and promotion of natural rights,
individualism, tolerance, justice, equality of opportunity, meritocracy.
 Constitutional/limited government: governments should govern by pre-arranged rules and
procedures cemented in a formal constitution which prevents the erosion of natural rights.
 Fragmented government: dispersal of state power and checks and balances designed to prevent
power from being concentrated.
 Formal equality: all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society. Emphasis on
rule of law.