Liberalism thinkers Flashcards
John Locke key work
Second treatise of government
John Locke key concept
Social contract
John Locke key quote
‘Men being, as has been said, by nature, are free, equal and independent’
John Locke state view
The state must be representative based on the consent of the governed
John Locke human nature view
Human beings are rational, guided by the pursuit of self-interest, but mindful of other’s concerns
John Locke society view
Society predates the state – natural societies with natural laws and natural rights
John Locke economy view
State policy should be respectful of the ‘natural right’ to private property and arbitrate effectively between individuals competing for trade and resources
Mary Wolstencroft key work
A Vindication of the rights of women
Mary Wolstencroft key concept
Asserted that women need to recieve education and same fundamental rights as men
Mary Wolstencroft key quote
‘Women ought to be representatives, instead of being arbitrarily governed without any direct share allowed them in the deliberations of government’
Mary Wolstencroft human nature view
Rationalism defines both genders – intellectually men and women are not very different
Mary Wolstencroft state view
The monarchial state should be replaced with a republic which ensures women’s rights
Mary Wolstencroft society view
Society ‘infantilized’ women and this stifled female individualism
Mary Wolstencroft economy view
A free-market economy would be energized by the enterprise of liberated woman
John Stuart Mill key work
On Liberty
John Stuart Mill key concept
Harm principle/utilitarianism
John Stuart Mill key quote
‘The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-possession’
John Stuart Mill human nature view
Though fundamentally rational, human nature is not fixed, it is forever progressing to a higher level
John Stuart Mill state view
The state should proceed cautiously towards representative democracy – mindful of minority rights
John Stuart Mill society view
The best society was one where ‘individuality’ co-existed with tolerance and self-improvement
John Stuart Mill economy view
Laissez-faire capitalism was vital to progress, individual enterprise and individual initiative
Betty Friedan key work
‘Feminine Mystique’
Betty Friedan key concept
Believed that women found themselves bound to households and were unable to escape
Betty Friedan key quote
‘Each suburban wife struggles with it alone. As she made the beds, shopped for groceries, matched slipover material (…) she was afraid to ask even of herself the silent question – is this all?’
Betty Friedan human nature view
Human nature has evolved in a way that discourages self-advancement among women
Betty Friedan state view
The state should legislate to prevent continued discrimination against female individuals
Betty Friedan society view
Society remained chauvinistic towards women, though women were complicit in their repression
Betty Friedan economy view
Free market capitalism could be an ally of female emancipation if allied to legislation precluding sexual discrimination
John Rawls key work
A theory of justice
John Rawls key concept
Veil of ignorance
John Rawls key quote
‘Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both a) reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantages and b) attached to positions and offices open to all’
John Rawls human nature view
Mankind is selfish yet empathetic; valuing both individual liberty and the plight of those around them
John Rawls state view
The state should enable less fortunate individuals to advance, via public spending and public services
John Rawls society view
The society most individuals would choose would be one where the condition of the poorest were improved
John Rawls economy view
Free market capitalism should be tempered by the state’s obligation to advance its poorest citizens
