Liberalism views on society and the economy Flashcards
What do all liberals agree on about Society?
All liberals see society as a collection of diverse and potentially autonomous individuals that seek self-fulfilment, self-determination and self-realisation.
Classical liberals view on society?
Human society predates the state.
Modern liberals view on society?
Modern liberals such as John Rawls believe that in an industrialised and urban society there are individuals who are less autonomous and thus require the state support to be free.
The ideas of ‘positive liberty’
John Locke view on society?
Society predates the state, before the introduction of the state there were ‘natural’ societies with natural laws and natural rights.
Mary Wollstonecraft view on society?
Society ‘infantilised’ women and thus stifled female individualism.
John Stuart Mill view on society?
The best society is a society where ‘individuality’ can co-exist with tolerance and self-improvement.
John Rawls view on society?
The society that the majority of individuals would choose who be a society whereby the condition of the poorest was improved.
‘Veil of ignorance’
‘Veil of ignorance’ = ?
Moral reasoning device designed to promote impartial decision making by denying decision makers access to potentially biasing information about who will benefit most or least from the available options.
What do all Liberals agree on when it comes to the economy?
Following John Locke’s assertion that property was a natural right, all liberals believe that the economy should be based upon private property and private enterprise.
What is the dividing line with the economy?
Whether the state should interfere with the economy or not.
Classical liberal view on the economy?
Classical liberals are aligned with Neo-liberal ideas in the way that they support the economic ideas of Adam Smith.
What are the economic ideas of Adam Smith?
The state should adopt a lassies fairer attitude to the economy.
‘Laissez-Fairre’ = ?
The policy of leaving things to take their own course, without interfering at all.
Modern liberal view on the economy?
Modern liberals tend to on the whole support the economic ideas of John Maynard Keynes.
What are the economic ideas of John Maynard Keynes?
Capitalism requires regular state management in order to ensure full or nearly full employment.
John Locke view on the economy?
Due to property being a natural right the state should respect it and only role in the economy should be to arbitrate effectively between individuals competing for trade and resources.
Mary Wollstonecraft view on the economy?
A free market economy would be energised by the enterprise of liberated women.
John Stuart Mill view on the economy?
Laissez-Fairre capitalism was vital to progress individual enterprise and individual initiative.
John Rawls view on the economy?
Free market capitalism should be tempered by the State’s obligation to advance its poorest citizens.
Betty Friedan view on the economy?
Free market capitalism could be an ally of female emancipation if it was to be allied to legislation precluding sexual discrimination.
