Liberalism politics

Question 1

What is Liberals general view on Human nature

Answer 1

Rational
Self interested
Unique

Question 2

What is the harm principle

Answer 2

John S Mills idea that actions which are “self regarding” are distinguished between “other regarding” actions that can damage others.
Only can have freedom if not inflicting pain upon others

Question 3

What is the social contract

Answer 3

Idea that individuals are governed by consent

Question 4

What is Locke’s view on the state and religion

Answer 4

the state is not created by God nor “legitimised by the divine right of God”

Question 5

What is Lockes opinion on the state of nature

Answer 5

Hobbes original idea
Lock believes that within the state of nature the human race is underpinned by natural laws, natural rights and natural liberties
- state must not encroach on these freedoms

Question 6

How did TH Green broaden Mills ideas

Answer 6

said that society was organic not atomistic as some classic liberals argued and that there is a common good

Question 7

What is negative freedom

Answer 7

Freedom through absence of constraint

Question 8

What did Isiah Berlin say about negative freedom

Answer 8

“freedom from” rather than “freedom to”

Question 9

What is positive freedom

Answer 9

Freedom with the state playing a positive role to assist individuals achieving their dreams

Question 10

What is an example of positive freedom

Answer 10

State funded education

Question 11

What type of state do classic Liberals want

Answer 11

small neutral referee

Question 12

what type of state do modern Liberals want

Answer 12

potentially large enabling state

Question 13

What theory underpins most of John S Mills work

Answer 13

Utilitarianism
theory of morality that advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure and oppose actions that cause unhappiness or harm

Question 14

What did John S Mill say about negative freedom

Answer 14

“People should only have their freedom limited if
their actions are causing harm to others”

Question 15

What did John S Mill say about negative freedom

Answer 15

People should only have their freedom limited if
their actions are causing harm to others.

Question 16

What does the social contract idea tell us about Liberals

Answer 16

Liberals believe that the state gets its legitimacy from below

Question 17

What did Lord action say about power

Answer 17

‘Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts
absolutely’

Question 18

Why do Liberals believe in limiting the state to an extent

Answer 18

The state is necessary to guarantee freedom
Sovereign state has the potential to harm peoples freedom and any threat is greater than any in the state of nature

Question 19

What ways can the powers of a government be constrained internally

Answer 19

Separation of powers
Bill of rights
Rule of law

Question 20

What did De Tocqueville say about democracy

Answer 20

“Democracy would lead to the tyranny of the majority”

Question 21

What do liberals think about democracy giving power

Answer 21

Liberals believe that democracy gives decision
making power to the uneducated masses who will
make poor decisions.

Question 22

What types of equality do classic liberals believe in

Answer 22

Foundational equality

Formal Equality

Equality of opportunity through
negative freedom and free markets

Inequality of outcome to provide
incentives to work hard

Question 23

What types of equality do modern liberals

Answer 23

Foundational equality

Formal Equality

Equality of opportunity through
‘enabling state’

Some equality of outcome through
redistribution

Question 24

What do Classic Liberals believe in social justice

Answer 24

Meritocracy - income inequality
based on equality of opportunity

NOT inequality based on race,
religion, gender, privilege

NOT redistribution of any kind

Economically wrong –
damages incentives

Morally wrong – to take
people’s just rewards for
their skills and talents

Question 25

What do modern Liberals believe in regarding social justice

Answer 25

Meritocracy

Income inequality based on equality
of opportunity

NOT inequality based on race,
religion, gender, privilege

BUT – equality of opportunity demands
an ‘enabling state’ which will mean
some redistribution.

Question 26

What type of individualism do classic liberals believe in

Answer 26

Egoistical individualism

Question 27

What type of individualism do Modern liberals believe in

Answer 27

Developmental
individualism

Question 28

What is the veil of ignorance

Answer 28

John Rawls idea that people will develop fair principles if they are ignorant of their position in society
Rationalistic idea

Question 29

What is Rawls difference principle

Answer 29

the only inequality
that is justified is that which makes
those at the bottom of society better off

Question 30

What did Betty Friedan believe about opportunity

Answer 30

Believed that women were the principal victims of a lack of opportunity
Restricted opportunity due to the patriarchy