Modern v Classical Liberals: THE STATE Flashcards
arguments to suggest that modern and classical liberals agree on the state to a great extent
both believe that the state should be limited
both argue that the state should serve the interests of the people
both argue that the state is a necessary evil needed to maintain order
arguments to suggest that modern and classical liberals only agree on the state to a limited extent
disagree over how limited the state should be
disagree over whether or not the state should be used to obtain liberal objectives
disagree about the state’s role in the economy
John Locke: the state
in Two Treatises of Government, John Locke advocated for a limited state and strongly opposed the unrestrained exercise of power, arguing that state power should be restricted by law
he pointed out that without a limited state, the people would be like farm animals kept by the farmer and prevented from harming each other, but with no guarantee that the farmer would not harm them
John Stuart Mill: the state
advocated for a limited government
said that “the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community against his will is to prevent harm to others”
the government has no business interfering in people’s lives when their actions are self-regarding and only impact them – the state should only intervene when their actions threaten to harm others
John Locke: social contract
John Locke’s idea of the social contract, which he explained exists between the people and their rulers
a social contract is an unofficial agreement shared by everyone in which they willingly give up some freedom in return for security provided by the state
the state essentially has a responsibility to act in the best interests of its citizens and if it does not, the people have the right to withdraw their consent to be governed and overthrow the state if necessary
John Stuart Mill: the state as a necessary evil
John Stuart Mill summarised this view as while he argued for a limited government - it is a necessary evil needed to maintain order
he also believed the state should take some role to prevent the poorest and most disadvantaged in society suffering unduly – perhaps through measures such as inheritance tax
John Rawls: enabling state
John Rawls is notable for his defence of the enabling state, explaining that a just society could be provided by the state via a significant redistribution of wealth, extensive public spending and progressive taxation
in this way, the state should help improve the lives of the poor rather than simply leave people alone
