9 Liberalism Core Ideas and Principles Flashcards
(44 cards)
What are the core ideas of Liberalism?
- Individualism
- Freedom / Liberty
- The state (a necessary evil)
- Rationalism
- Equality and Social Justice
- Liberal Democracy
What is foundational equality?
All individuals are born with natural rights which entitle them to:
* Liberty
* Pursuit of happiness
* Avoidance of pain
Translates to the rule of law
What does modern liberalism argue in counter to classical liberalism in regards to the equality of society?
Classical liberalism underplays the level of inequality in society.
Society is not equal and some individuals have a distinct advantage over other.
Negative freedoms practiced by classical liberalism only exacerbates the inequalities rather than addressing them.
What is egotistical individualism?
Individual freedom is associated with a rational sense of self-reliance and self-interest.
What is developmental individualism?
Individuals must help themselves in order to improve.
MILL
Classical liberals feel the state should interfere as little as possible in this process.
Modern liberals feel the state can assist in an individuals development via intervention. (free education)
What is the social contract?
The government makes itself accountable to people and to operate within the law.
The people in turn agree to obey laws and uphold security of the state.
What is limited government?
A governments should be constrained by strong laws and constraints.
Both neo-liberals and classical liberals believe strongly in this form of government.
All branches of liberalism support entrenched constitutions and the separation of powers to reinforce limited government.
What were early liberals particularly resentful of?
Authoritarian government.
Absolute monarchies.
What did Locke argue as to the link between freedom and law? quote
‘Where there is no law there is no liberty’
What was Adam Smith’s book?
‘the Wealth of Nations’ 1776.
What type of society does classical liberalism think exists?
Atomistic.
Individuals collect with their own interests.
People should not have to serve a broader ‘public interest’ or ‘common good’.
What did T.H. Green think of atomism in classical liberalism?
He disagreed, thinking society was organic with a common good and that public interest coincided with individual interests.
What did Green realise about negative freedoms?
They are good, but they do not take into account the threat of freedom due to social and material disadvantage within society and the economy.
What did Rawls think should happen to the state?
It should increase to an ‘enabling’ state.
This would ensure an individual’s life chances were not determined by status at birth.
Negative Freedom vs Positive Freedom?
Negative freedom - The absence of constraint typically used by classical liberals.
‘freedom from’ rather than ‘freedom to’
Positive freedom - The state plays a positive role to assist individuals to achieve dreams.
How has liberalism dealt with female rights?
It has been quite proactive.
J.S. Mill’s ‘the Subjection of Women’ - 1869
Mary Wollstonecraft as a proponent for modern liberalism
Betty Friedan as another proponent in modern liberalism
What is an enabling state? rawls
A state that does not necessarily provide for people directly, but creates conditions where people can succeed.
Education provision is an example of this.
How should the state be organised?
- Based on rationalism rather than traditionalism.
- Based on the principle of limited government.
What is keynesianism?
The state directly intervenes to stimulate the economy to achieve full employment and economic growth.
How has classical liberalism been influenced by rationalistic ideas?
Locke’s ideas of constitutional and representative government proved hugely influential to England’s Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the UK Bill of Rights 1689.
the Wealth of Nations believes that capitalism functions best when the state takes a laissez-faire approach.
Negative freedom / liberty has been hugely influential to determine the parameters of state intervention.
Give some examples of foundational equality today?
UK Human Rights Act
US Bill of Rights
How do modern liberals think we can achieve true social justice?
A full welfare state.
Education, healthcare, minimum wage, welfare provisions.
What was the intellectual basis for the post-war welfare in the UK?
The Beveridge Report.
How did Rawls use logic to find out what type of society individuals would prefer?
Using a rationalistic idea of a ‘veil of ignorance’ individuals would choose a society with little inequality.
