Classic Liberal Key Thinkers Flashcards
What does John Locke argue ?
- Rejected the ‘Divine Right of Kings’
- Natural Laws
- Natural Rights
- Social Contract Theory
What is natural law?
human beings possess intrinsic values that govern their reasoning and behavior
- unchangable
Example of natural law
self defence
right to life
property ownership
What is natural right ? Quote
“no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions (Locke, 1689). These natural rights also serve to limit the legitimate authority of the state
Example of natural right
freedom of speech
freedom of thought
right to life
What does Mary Wollstonecraft argue?
- women should be treated equally to men
- women had very little freedom or opportunity
- for a constitutional government with protection of individual rights
What does John Stuart Mill argue ?
- negative freedom
- wanted a tolerant society
- self and other regarding actions/behaviour
- developmental individualism
- feared the democracy would be a ‘tyranny of the majority’
What is negative freedom?
absence of external constraints on personal decision making
- freedom of choice
- equality of opportunity
What kind of freedom does most classical liberals argue in ?
negative freedom
positive freedom for modern liberals
John Stuart Mill is …
later classical liberal
John Locke Quote
‘our incomes are like our shoes; if too small, they pinch; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and trip’
Betty Wollstonecraft Quote
‘the more equality there is established among men, the more virtue and happiness will reign in society’
John Stuart Mill Quote (later classical liberalism)
‘the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others’
What did Mill modify
his view on the role of the government. he accepted some degree of state intervention was needed to prevent the poor from enduring injustice.
Simplify Mill ideas
- harm principle
- developmental individualism
- tolerance
- limited gov role
