The state - falls under core ideas Flashcards
areas of agreement in the state
- all liberals agree that the state is needed to ensure the rule of law in society and the economy
- all aspects of liberalism subscribe to a mechanistic theory (the idea that the state is not organic but was created by individuals to serve them and act in their best interest)
- while both forms of liberalism have a mechanistic theory of the state, they disagree on how best the state can act in the interests of the individual
- all liberals argue for the state practise foundational equality and formal equality for citizens and for this to be enshrined in the constitution and enforced by the rule of law.
- equality would be extended to all individuals
- we see this expressed in the belief of Wollenstonecraft and Freidan who advocate the importance of woman’s rights
- Wollenstonecraft - woman are as capable of rational thought as men/ the free exercise of individualism is essential if society is to progress culturally and economically.
- ‘I do not wish them (women) to have power over men; but over themselves’
areas of disagreement
- classical liberals believe that the role of the state should be strictly limited to maintaining law and order, protecting property rights and securing invasion. The optimal size of government is small, so classical liberals like Locke and ill advocate a minimal state (minimal state) Locke argued that the state should be limited and its powers divided by agencies, largely the government and the elected parliament
- Locke states that individual liberty is a natural right which existed in the natural state before there was a man made one. From this the concept of negative freedom was made which is freedom as the absence of restraint therefore the state should have a limited role. Link this to laissez- fairs economics and Conservative governments
- modern liberals on the other hand argue that the state should create conditions of freedom that allow individuals to reach their full potential. They advocate an enabling state that provides broader welfare and assistance to the individual. Mill advocated a more interventionist role for the state in society. He challenged his prior beliefs about atrophy (if the state interferes it will arrest individual freedom) and counter argued this point stating that the state must interfere to protect children, provide education for all citizens and provide basic welfare for all citizens. They believe in the enabling state - a state that does not directly intervene for people directly but creates conditions of which people can help themselves
- link this to Maximilian governments where state intervention was a huge thing.
name a second area of disagreement in the state
classical liberals believe that the state should practice laissez-faire capitalism, arguing that the state is not justified in interfering with economy and that free market capitalism should not be regulated by the state
Modern liberalism is informed by Keynesianism - the idea that the government should manage the economy to reduce unemployment and prevent recessions. i.e macmillian supported the welfare state and the need for a mixed economy with some nationalised industries and strong trade unions
name another area of disagreement
- classical liberals such as Locke and MIll favour representative governments with limited suffrage where educated property owning individuals would represent everyone’s interest
- modern liberals such as Rawls and Freidan favour direct popular democracy with universal suffrage. While both branches fear the ‘tyranny of the majority’ modern liberals believe that education is crucial to the wise use of the ballot.
Name an area of agreement
P: although classical and modern liberals disagree over the size of the state, they both want to increase individualism
E: modern liberals argue for a large state in order to free individuals from socio-economic issues (modern liberals such as Rawls and Freidan argue fot developmental individualism - where freedom means that people can grow and develop into their full potential suggesting that state intervention is needed) whilst classical liberals believe that the state impeached on individual liberties and should this be minimised (Locke argued that the state should practice a limited government which does not infringe on individual freedom this links to egotistical individualism - individuals should be self-reliant rather than rely on the state to look after them and that they should be able to keep their wealth) . They have different approaches but the same goal. Nevertheless this is a weak argument since they differ in how to achieve this goal and this view the nature of the state differently
