The Liberal State

Question 1

What are three ways in which Liberals agree on the State?

Answer 1

• Liberals all believe the state’s main role is to guarantee individual freedom. They both believe the state should be limited
• Liberals have always agreed that the government should be constitutional as they believe in a limited government, separation of powers and a fragmentation of power
• Both believe the state should provide political and legal justice equally to all e.g one person one vote - people are of equal moral worth

Question 2

What are three ways that Liberals disagree on the State?

Answer 2

• Modern liberals believe in the Welfare state and potentially a state where positive discrimination occurs. However, classical liberals believe the state is to be limited – ‘the night-watchman state’ – engaging in matters of defence, diplomacy and law and order
• Modern liberals think democracy would develop consensus in society Dahl named this polyarchy – the rule of the many. Classical think democracy means ‘tyranny of the majority’. Works on majorities and pluralities – interests of individuals minorities could easily be ignored
• In the beginning of Liberalism only the propertied middle-classes had voting rights. Working class were not educated and irrational to make sensible political decisions. They vote for parties that would harm the middle classes. Modern like Democracy as it supports freedom of the individual as people are unlikely to vote for someone who is going to take their freedom away