The Liberal State Flashcards
Finish the sentence:
Liberals don’t believe that a balanced….
and tolerant society will simply develop naturally out of the free actions of individuals and voluntary associations
What have liberals traditionally believed about protection?
It can only be provided by a sovereign state, capable of restraining all individuals and groups within society
According to liberals what is the only way freedom can exist?
Under the law
Give the law and freedom quote from John Locke
Where there is no law there is no freedom
Who developed the idea of social contract?
Hobbes and Locke
How did Locke and Hobbes say life would be in a state of nature?
“Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”
What did Hobbes and Locke argue that rational individuals would do?
Establish a sovereign government
What would individuals sacrifice in order to create a government and in order to do what?
A portion of their liberty
To set up a system of law
How did Hobbes and Locke wish individuals to act, in what way, and in gratitude of what?
As if the historical fiction were true
By respecting and obeying the government and law
In gratitude of the safety and security that only a sovereign state can provide
What are the two important attitudes towards the state?
- Political authority comes from below
2. The state acts as a neutral umpire in society
What happens when the legitimacy of a government evaporates?
The people have the right of rebellion
Who is the state not created by?
A privileged elite wishing to exploit the masses
Who IS the state created by?
An agreement amongst all the people
Therefore how do liberals regard the state?
As a neutral arbitrary amongst the competing individuals and groups within society
