Liberalism - Topic 2

Question 1

Where do both branches of liberalism agree on human nature?

Answer 1

• Both have an optimistic view on human nature. Individuals are rational, morally equal and independent, each wishing to pursue their version of the good life
• Both argue that women are as rational as men, calling for enfranchisement and equality of opportunity in the public sphere of society
• Both agree that individualism needs to be protected and encouraged and that there should be a toleration of different values, beliefs and version of what constitutes the ideal life
• Both share concerns about popular democracy conflicting with individual rights

Question 2

Where do both branches of liberalism disagree on human nature?

Answer 2

• Classical liberals view human nature as far more individualistic than modern liberals
• Classical liberals argue for a minimal state free of government interference. Classical liberals argue for negative allowing individuals freedom from government interference wherever possible. Modern liberals prefer positive freedom to assist individual development
• Liberals disagree on what constitutes the common good. Classical liberals argue for formal equality while modern liberals argue that human nature has a clear social dimension
• Liberals differ on how best to deal with the conflict between popular democracy and individual rights. Classical liberals prefer representative democracy, which allows filter to control the ‘tyranny of the majority’, while modern liberals insist that liberal democratic theory means every individual should vote

Question 3

Where do both branches of liberalism agree on the state?

Answer 3

• Both agree that the autonomy of the state should be limited by constitutionalism
• Both agree upon the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judiciary
• Both agree that ideally, individuals should be citizens within a republic rather than subjects in a monarchy/constitutional monarchy
• Both agree that the state should support the rule of law and the recognition of human rights and formal equality entrenched within higher law

Question 4

Where do both branches of liberalism disagree on the state?

Answer 4

• Classical liberals think the state should play a nightwatchman role, informed by negative freedom whereby intervention is restricted to the rule of law, preventing actions harmful to others, and protecting borders
• Modern liberals argue that the state should be an enabling state, intervening to create conditions where individuals could help themselves, such as a state funded education system
• Classical liberals favoured representative democracy, advocating plural voting for educated elites to counteract the single votes of the largely uneducated populous and the problem of tyranny of the majority
• Modern liberals favour representative democracy based upon universal suffrage for men and women. Modern liberals view education as being a crucial tool in the wise use of the ballot

Question 5

Where do both branches of liberalism agree on the economy?

Answer 5

• Both are influenced by Locke’s idea that the state should respect the ‘natural right’ to private property, an essential tenet of freedom
• Both are enthusiatic supporters of the free-market
• Both broadly support the state intervening to ensure that tariffs and duties are removed from trading between nation states and commercial classes to maximise wealth
• Both broadly accept that capitalism will lead to unequal outcomes for individuals within the economy

Question 6

Where do both branches of liberalism disagree on the economy?

Answer 6

• Classical liberals view the role of the state as being limited to protecting property, enforcing legal contracts. Moreover, the state attitude towards the economy should be laissez-faire, free from government interference
• Modern liberalism has deviated to support Keynesianism, where the state directly intervenes to stimulate the economy
• Modern liberalism favours managing capitalism to facilitate social justice, with progresive taxation funding a welfare state
• Modern liberalism’s beliefs in modern capitalism has seen a growth in the state, both at state level and supranational level

Question 7

Where do both branches of liberalism agree on society?

Answer 7

• Both broadly agree that human society predates the state, and all liberals see society as a collection of diverse and potentially autonomous individuals
• Both stress that society should be arranged to allow indidivudals to flourish. Constitutional creates the best conditions for such a society
• Both argue that the foundational equality and human rights should be formally recognised within society. The UDHR laid down the obligations of governments to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups
• Both agree that the ideal society would be one where ‘individuality’ co-existed with tolerance and self-improvement

Question 8

Where do both branches of liberalism disagree on society?

Answer 8

• Classical liberals advocated a more atomistic society whereby individuals are minimally constrained by a nightwatchman state, focusing on negative freedom
• Modern liberals argue that in industrialised societies, individual autonomy is curtailed and the state must act as an enabling state to assist individual freedom via positive freedom and argue for a state-funded welfare state
• Feminist liberaals view liberalism through the role of women in society and argue that society has stifled female individualism
• Rawls argues it is rational for individuals to choose a society that offers opportunities for the less fortunate to improve their condition