Tensions Flashcards
Individualism tensions
CL - egotistical individualism
Best way to achieve a better society is by letting individuals follow their own interests and happiness.
Locke - when people are left to pursue seek-interests, guided by rational thinking, it ultimately benefits everyone in society.
ML - developmental individualism
Rooted in the idea that each person should have the chance to develop their talents and abilities to the fullest.
First articulated by JSM - links to positive liberty
Rawls emphasises that for individuals to truly flourish and contribute to society, they need access to certain resources and opportunities, including education, healthcare and social welfare programs.
Freedom/liberty
CL - negative freedom
Freedom as the absence of restraint
Removal of barriers and limitations imposed by states or other authorities.
JL and Adam Smith argued best way to ensure individual liberty is through a limited government and a laissez-faire economic system.
JSM - supported a minimal state by arguing for the harm principle
ML - positive freedom
Mere absence of restraint isn’t enough to promote freedom.
Especially important from those who start from disadvantaged positions in society.
BF - legislating to equalise women’s rights
Progress and optimism
CL - society functions as a meritocracy, where individuals can rise based on their abilities and efforts, regardless of their initial social standing.
ML - agree that society should promote a meritocracy, but challenge classical liberal views that this is the case under laissez-faire capitalism without the support of an enabling state to help those who are disadvantaged.
Capitalism and private property
Capitalism crucially promotes private property. Property ownership is seen as a natural right.
JL saw private property as a natural right and an extension of one’s labour that was essential to the preservation of individual liberty and economic independence.
CL - strongly supported laissez-faire capitalism - very free market type of capitalism where there is minimal government intervention. Trickle down economics.
ML -Keynesianism - emerged as a response to the limits of free-market capitalism. Enabling state.
JR - argued that ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities allows individuals to fully realise their potential and contribute more effectively to the economy. Saw private property as a vital component of personal autonomy. He also advocated for a system of redistributive taxation and social welfare policies to ensure that the inequalities arising from natural distributions of talents and circumstances do not lead to unjust advantages for a few.
The state as necessary yet evil
Necessary to prevent disorder and chaos but worried about its potential to infringe on individual liberties.
Nightwatchman vs Enabling State
CL - limited night watchman state - guards against external threats and internal disturbances when necessary while interfering as little as possible in the personal and economic affairs of its citizens.
Primary function of gov should be to protect individuals rights.
ML - enabling state - to truly promote freedom for all the state should empower the less well off.
JR - ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities allows individuals to fully realise their potential and contribute more effectively to the economy.
BF - state action to tackle inequality and discrimination
Equality/ social justice
All individuals are equal
CL - formal equality and meritocracy
Advocates for equal treatment of all under the law
MW - made the case for formal equality and equal rights for women. Called for many rights including voting and property rights.
Generally view society as a meritocracy, where individuals, regardless of their birth or social status have the opportunity to succeed based on their talents and efforts.
ML - continued support for formal equality but went further arguing society isn’t a meritocracy and state action is needed to promote true equality of opportunity. Certain groups face structural inequalities.
BF - challenged oppressive laws and societal norms that limited women’s roles.
Natural Rights and Society
People have inalienable rights simply by virtue of their humanity.
This belief is important in influencing liberals’ fundamental fear of a tyrannical state as a potential threat to the rights and liberties that exist in a natural society prior to the creation of a state.
JL - instrumental in articulating this view, positing that in the state of nature individuals are free and equal and the formation of a government should be aimed at preserving these natural rights.
Tolerance
A just society must accommodate and protect various beliefs, lifestyles, and identities, as long as they do not harm others.
JSM - tolerance of diverse viewpoints
JL - championed religious freedom in particular
BF - played a key part in forming NOW
Liberal Democracy
Gov should be based on the will of the people through elections
CL - government by consent
JL - argued for gov based on consent of the governed - social contract theory
JSM - cautious about the impact of democracy, fearing direct democracy and arguing that representatives should be able to exercise significant judgement themselves. Argued those without an education should be denied the votes whilst university educated men should receive more than one vote.
ML - full democracy
Extension of voting rights to all segments of the the population, advocating for universal suffrage
Also champion constitutional reforms aimed at improvising the functioning of democracy.
