P1 - Liberalism Flashcards
What is Liberalism the product of
the enlightenment
What do Liberals think about individualism
they stress the importance of the individual over the claims any social group
what do individuals possess
self-awareness, capabilities, personality and free will to decide their own destiny
what do Liberals see freedom as
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
what are the core values of liberalism
individual freedom and human rights as a natural right individualism humans are rational creatures tolerance justice and equality constitutionalism limited government
what is negative liberty
freedom from intrusion from others
what is positive liberty
freedom to choose from a range of opportunities and to realise your potential
what do classical liberals think about social policy and equality
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
what do modern liberals think about social policy and equality
they support the welfare state
real equality of opportunity
Beveridge Report, tackling 5 evils
social liberalism
what do classic liberals think about economic policy
classic laissez faire economic
free-market economics
what do modern liberals think about economic policy
government investment required to ensure economic stability and growth
managed economy
what are the main features of classical liberalism
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
when did the appeal of classic liberalism fade
the impact of the industrial revolution
what was the issue with classic liberalism
foundational equality was not leading to meaningful equality of opportunity
what are the main features of modern liberalism
positive freedom common good enabling state genuine equality of opportunity Keynesian economics
who is the key thinker of classical liberalism
John Locke
What were Locke’s two key liberal ideas
social contract theory and limited government
what is the social contract theory?
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
what is the idea of limited government
government should be limited by a constitution’s rules and procedures, and be based on consent from below
how does Locke view the state
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
how does Locke view limited government
powers should be dispersed between three branches of government
what is the issue with Locke
he accepted that the right to property led to inequality
Locke was against extending toleration to atheists
who is the important feminist writer who is a key liberal thinker
Mary Wollstonecraft
what are Wollstonecraft’s views on human nature
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
what are Wollstonecraft’s views on society
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
What are Wollstonecraft’s views on the state
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
What are Wollstonecraft’s views on the economy
inclusion of women in a free market economy would energise it for the better of all
how does Locke view human nature
rationalism natural law "child's mind is a blank slate" humans are products of their education and knowledge humans are self-sufficient
what is Locke’s views on society
society is natural and predates the state
humans will come together for mutual benefit
majority rule is the cornerstone of all political order
what is Locke’s views on the economy
the state should accept the natural right to private ownership
the state should arbitrate when individuals compete for resources
Who has been named as one of the greatest 19th Century British liberal thinkers, signalling the transition from classic to modern?
John Stuart Mill
what was the ‘harm principle’
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
what does Mill think about human nature
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
what does Mill think about society
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
what does Mill think about the state
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
what does Mill think about the economy
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
what did Mill endorse
tolerance and the right to hold a minority view
who was the author of “A Theory of Justice” in 1971? He was a modern liberal
John Rawls
What were John Rawls key ideas
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
What did Rawls think about human nature
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
what did Rawls think about society
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
what did Rawls think about the state
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
what did Rawls think about the economy
Individuals required greater economic equality
Free-market capitalism should exist alongside the state’s obligation to help its poorest citizen
Which modern Liberal wrote The Feminine Mystique (1963)
Betty Friedan
What were Friedan’s key ideas
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
What does Friedan think about human nature
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
What does Friedan think about society
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
What does Friedan think about the State
The State could ensure equality for all
It was vital that the state pass legislation enhance the lives of women and prevent discrimination
What does Friedan think about the economy
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
where do Liberals agree on Human Nature
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
where do Liberals disagree on Human Nature
Classic put emphasis on egotistic, self-interested individualism whilst modern put emphasis on developmental individualism (sympathy for each other)
where do Liberals agree on society
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
where do Liberals disagree on society
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
Where do Liberals agree on the State
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)
Where do Liberals disagree on the state
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
Where do Liberals agree on the economy
They support capitalism and the market economy
Where do Liberals disagree on the economy
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
