9.5 - Key Liberal Thinkers

Question 1

What is the view on human nature according to Locke?

Answer 1

Humans are guided by self-interest but are concerned for others.

Question 2

What is the view on human nature according to Wollstonecraft?

Answer 2

Both men and women are capable of rational thought.

Question 3

What is the view on human nature according to J.S. Mill?

Answer 3

Human nature is rational but not fixed.

Capable of progressing to higher levels.

Question 4

What is the view on human nature according to Rawls?

Answer 4

Humans can be selfish.

However, they are sympathetic to those less fortunate than them.

Question 5

What is the view on human nature according to Friedan?

Answer 5

Culture has evolved to where human nature is patriarchal and discriminatory.

Question 6

What is the view on the state according to Locke?

Answer 6

State should only govern by consent.

Question 7

What is the view on the state according to Wollstonecraft?

Answer 7

Monarchical states should be replaced by republics that entrench women’s rights.

Question 8

What is the view on the state according to J.S. Mill?

Answer 8

The state should be representative and mindful of minority rights.

Question 9

What is the view on the state according to Rawls?

Answer 9

Enabling states will assist developmental individualism via public spend.

Question 10

What is the view on the state according to Friedan?

Answer 10

The state should intervene in the public sphere to prevent female discrimination.

Question 11

What is the view on society according to Locke?

Answer 11

Natural laws and rights predate the state.

Question 12

What is the view on society according to Wollstonecraft?

Answer 12

Society ‘infantilised’ women which inhibited female individualism.

Question 13

What is the view on society according to J.S. Mill?

Answer 13

Individuality should coexist with tolerance and self-improvement.

Question 14

What is the view on society according to Rawls?

Answer 14

‘Veil of ignorance’ argued that individuals would choose a society that offered opportunities for the less fortunate.

Question 15

What is the view on society according to Friedan?

Answer 15

Society is patriarchal and needs reformation.

Question 16

What is the view on the economy according to Locke?

Answer 16

Private property is a natural right.

The state should arbritrate between individuals competing for trade.

Question 17

What is the view on the economy according to Wollstonecraft?

Answer 17

Liberated women thrive and enhance the free-market.

Question 18

What is the view on the economy according to J.S. Mill?

Answer 18

Laissez-faire capitalism promotes both individual initiative and progress.

Question 19

What is the view on the economy according to Rawls?

Answer 19

The state’s obligation to disadvantaged citizens should temper free-market capitalism.

Question 20

What is the view on the economy according to Friedan?

Answer 20

Liberated women would thrive and enhance the free-market economy.

Question 21

What is John Locke’s key work?

Answer 21

‘Two Treatises of Government’ (1689)

Question 22

When was Locke alive?

Answer 22

1632 - 1704

Question 23

What were Locke’s main ideas?

Answer 23

• The state was not created by God. The monarchy is not legitimised by ‘divine right of kings’. The state is created via a social contract.
• Humans existed in a state of nature prior to the state. The human race is underpinned by natural laws, liberties and rights.
• The ‘state of law’ envisaged would see the state resolving disputes better than in a state of nature.
• The state should be limited in how it interferes in society and economy.
• Tolerance both religiously and politically.

Question 24

What were Mill’s ideas?

Answer 24

• Restraint by the state (harm principle)
• Distinction between ‘self-regarding’ actions (not impinging on the freedom of others) and ‘other regarding’ actions (doing harm to others)
• Tolerant of diverse opinions.
• Individual liberty is essential for the development of the individual.
• Opposition to popular democracy due to ‘tyranny of the majority’.
• Some intervention to attain developmental individualism.

Question 25

What is Mill’s main work?

Answer 25

‘On Liberty’ (1859)

Question 26

When was Mill alive?

Answer 26

1806 - 73

Question 27

What was Mary Wollstonecraft alive?

Answer 27

1759 - 97

Question 28

What was Mary Wollstonecraft’s main work?

Answer 28

A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792)

Question 29

What was Wollstonecraft’s main ideas?

Answer 29

• Positive view of human nature
• Men and women are equally rational
• All citizens should be free from discrimination
• Formal equality and the social contract

Question 30

When was Friedan alive?

Answer 30

1921 - 2006

Question 31

What was Friedan’s main work?

Answer 31

‘The Feminine Mystique’ 1963
‘The Second Stage’ 1983

Question 32

What were Friedan’s main ideas?

Answer 32

• Individual freedom.
• Women were the principle victims of a lack of opportunity.
• An enabling state could assist to make women truly free.

Question 33

When was Rawls alive?

Answer 33

1921 - 2002

Question 34

What was Rawls main work?

Answer 34

‘A Theory of Justice’ - 1971

Question 35

What were Rawls main ideas?

Answer 35

• Justice and fairness
• Welfare state
• Social and economic equality to ensure founational equality.