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Politics > P1 - Liberalism > Flashcards

P1 - Liberalism Flashcards

1
Q

What is Liberalism the product of

A

the enlightenment

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2
Q

What do Liberals think about individualism

A

they stress the importance of the individual over the claims any social group

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3
Q

what do individuals possess

A

self-awareness, capabilities, personality and free will to decide their own destiny

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4
Q

what do Liberals see freedom as

A

the ability or right of an individual to make decisions in their own interests. However, such freedom is not absolute and has to be exercised under the law

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5
Q

what are the core values of liberalism

A 
individual freedom and human rights as a natural right
individualism
humans are rational creatures
tolerance
justice and equality 
constitutionalism 
limited government
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6
Q

what is negative liberty

A

freedom from intrusion from others

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7
Q

what is positive liberty

A

freedom to choose from a range of opportunities and to realise your potential

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8
Q

what do classical liberals think about social policy and equality

A

they support a laissez-faire economy and free-market competition
they support no government intervention and a minimal state
they support meritocracy
negative freedom
minimal welfare

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9
Q

what do modern liberals think about social policy and equality

A

they support the welfare state
real equality of opportunity
Beveridge Report, tackling 5 evils
social liberalism

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10
Q

what do classic liberals think about economic policy

A

classic laissez faire economic

free-market economics

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11
Q

what do modern liberals think about economic policy

A

government investment required to ensure economic stability and growth
managed economy

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12
Q

what are the main features of classical liberalism

A

negative freedom
individualism (human nature is egotistical)
optimistic view of human nature (humans rational)
the small role of the state (night watchmen)
foundational equality
toleration (willingness to accept views)
free trade and laissez-faire capitalism

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13
Q

when did the appeal of classic liberalism fade

A

the impact of the industrial revolution

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14
Q

what was the issue with classic liberalism

A

foundational equality was not leading to meaningful equality of opportunity

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15
Q

what are the main features of modern liberalism

A 
positive freedom 
common good
enabling state 
genuine equality of opportunity 
Keynesian economics
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16
Q

who is the key thinker of classical liberalism

A

John Locke

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17
Q

What were Locke’s two key liberal ideas

A

social contract theory and limited government

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18
Q

what is the social contract theory?

A

society, state and government are based on a voluntary agreement or contract. Citizens obey the state’s laws on the understanding that the state will guarantee them certain rights

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19
Q

what is the idea of limited government

A

government should be limited by a constitution’s rules and procedures, and be based on consent from below

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20
Q

how does Locke view the state

A

Did not believe in the Divine Right of Kings
Rejected the idea that people were subjects of the state
The state should rest on the consent of those governed by it
fulfilment of the social contract
if the state breaks the contract, they would be entitled to oppose or remove it
rational people would not willingly submit to arbitrary rule

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21
Q

how does Locke view limited government

A

powers should be dispersed between three branches of government

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22
Q

what is the issue with Locke

A

he accepted that the right to property led to inequality

Locke was against extending toleration to atheists

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23
Q

who is the important feminist writer who is a key liberal thinker

A

Mary Wollstonecraft

24
Q

what are Wollstonecraft’s views on human nature

A

Optimistic view of human nature applies to both men and women
rationalism defines both genders
Women were the moral and intellectual equals of men
Wished for the constitutional defence of human rights
Believed in human imperfectibility

25
Q

what are Wollstonecraft’s views on society

A

pro formal equality
formal education for all key, breaking down misconceptions about the difference between men and women
Denied the existence of a born to rule class

26
Q

What are Wollstonecraft’s views on the state

A

Women being deprived of the vote was a violation of government by consent
Denial of liberty to women was a violation of the enlightenment
supported republican government

27
Q

What are Wollstonecraft’s views on the economy

A

inclusion of women in a free market economy would energise it for the better of all

28
Q

how does Locke view human nature

A 
rationalism 
natural law
"child's mind is a blank slate"
humans are products of their education and knowledge
humans are self-sufficient
29
Q

what is Locke’s views on society

A

society is natural and predates the state
humans will come together for mutual benefit
majority rule is the cornerstone of all political order

30
Q

what is Locke’s views on the economy

A

the state should accept the natural right to private ownership
the state should arbitrate when individuals compete for resources

31
Q

Who has been named as one of the greatest 19th Century British liberal thinkers, signalling the transition from classic to modern?

A

John Stuart Mill

32
Q

what was the ‘harm principle’

A

the idea that an individual’s actions should be tolerated by the state and individuals as long as they do not cause harm to others

33
Q

what does Mill think about human nature

A

Harm Principle
Negative freedom - freedom is simply the absence of restraint
Liberty is the engine of ongoing human development, therefore human nature is constantly evolving and improving beast
Humans are rational

34
Q

what does Mill think about society

A

Tolerance of a diverse range of opinions is vital to ensuring new ideas emerge
individuality encouraged
He supported Trade Unions as a form of wealth distribution
Supported civil rights campaigns
A strong supporter of women’s suffrage

35
Q

what does Mill think about the state

A

Hard to protect all individuals in a democratic system
Mill feared the tyranny of the majority
The state must be mindful of this in rep democracy
He argued that “intellectuals should be given a plurality of votes within an electoral system” based on universal suffrage and PR

36
Q

what does Mill think about the economy

A

Laissez-faire capitalism is vital to progress individual initiative
Accepted that a free market economy would create different classes and wealth would never be totally evenly distributed

37
Q

what did Mill endorse

A

tolerance and the right to hold a minority view

38
Q

who was the author of “A Theory of Justice” in 1971? He was a modern liberal

A

John Rawls

39
Q

What were John Rawls key ideas

A

Theory of justice - society must be just and guarantee each citizen a life worth living
The Veil of Ignorance - individuals agree on the type of society they want from a position where they lack knowledge of their own position in society

40
Q

What did Rawls think about human nature

A

humans preferred society created under ‘veil of ignorance’ where the poorest in society fared better than they currently did
scope for selfishness alongside empathy
basic civil and political rights are inalienable
Humans are able to freely choose their own ends

41
Q

what did Rawls think about society

A

Inequalities of outcomes are still natural and acceptable
Veil of ignorance
Bringing bottom line up, not top-line down
‘The Loss of freedom for some can never be made right by a greater good showed by others’
Asked people to consider the original position

42
Q

what did Rawls think about the state

A

Individuals required greater social equality
The state needed to enact significant wealth distribution
Enabling state
The state must respect human’s capacity for autonomy, all ways of life and careers absolutely acceptable

43
Q

what did Rawls think about the economy

A

Individuals required greater economic equality

Free-market capitalism should exist alongside the state’s obligation to help its poorest citizen

44
Q

Which modern Liberal wrote The Feminine Mystique (1963)

A

Betty Friedan

45
Q

What were Friedan’s key ideas

A

Legal equality - men and women are of equal worth and are equally capable, and oppressive laws and social views must be rejected
Equal Opportunity - women are restricted in their choices and opportunities by social conditioning through the family and agencies such as the education system and the mass media

46
Q

What does Friedan think about human nature

A

Humans should be free to control their own lives and realise potential
Women were limited by society, not by nature
Women were rational and capable of self-advancement but believed human nature determined their role in life and society
Liberty must be extended to all

47
Q

What does Friedan think about society

A

Society perpetuated the idea that women were not the equals of men
These were illiberal attitudes but were prevalent in society through ‘cultural conditioning’
Cultural conditioning is present in many areas of society but most importantly in schools, religion, media and literature/entertainment

48
Q

What does Friedan think about the State

A

The State could ensure equality for all

It was vital that the state pass legislation enhance the lives of women and prevent discrimination

49
Q

What does Friedan think about the economy

A

Women were not able to fulfil economic potential because of the state of society
Free markets would help women achieve their potential but an anti-discrimination policy is needed first
Society held views as to when women should work and what jobs they should do, this did not facilitate genuine liberty

50
Q

where do Liberals agree on Human Nature

A

They all have an optimistic view of human nature, believing that human beings are rational and capable
Individualism is key to being a liberal
Liberals believe that individuals have rights and that no one is superior to anyone else based on birth

51
Q

where do Liberals disagree on Human Nature

A

Classic put emphasis on egotistic, self-interested individualism whilst modern put emphasis on developmental individualism (sympathy for each other)

52
Q

where do Liberals agree on society

A

Society is made up of a group of self-reliant individuals taking responsibility for their own lives.
All individuals in society have foundational equality, meritocracy important
Freedom key social value
Toleration important

53
Q

where do Liberals disagree on society

A

Classic believes society is atomistic and should be governed by the principle of negative freedom (absence of constraint on people’s freedom). They support social Darwinism and self-help, some inequality is inevitable. Modern focus more on the collective, with positive freedom taking emphasis over negative freedom. They support genuine equality of opportunity, fairness and social justice

54
Q

Where do Liberals agree on the State

A

The state is necessary to protect people’s freedom, it should protect the interests of all. Government should be limited (against authoritarianism).
The idea of the social contract, political authority comes from below (government by consent)

55
Q

Where do Liberals disagree on the state

A

Classic believes the state is a necessary evil, that state should be a night watchman. They were suspicious of democracy. Modern has a more positive view of the role of the state, Rawls idea of enabling state, with them being in favour of all Liberal democratic principles

56
Q

Where do Liberals agree on the economy

A

They support capitalism and the market economy

57
Q

Where do Liberals disagree on the economy

A

Classic support laissez-faire economy and the idea of the self-regulating market economy guided by the “invisible hand”. The pursuit of profit will eventually help all. Modern Liberals agree with Keynesian economies, more government intervention. Capitalism needs some regulation to ensure greater fairness

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