9 mark questions - liberalism

Question 1

Analyse and explain three ways in which liberal thinkers view property?

Answer 1

1. Property as being a ‘natural right’ attained through hard work. –> Locke
2. Intellectual property –> John Stuart Mill and Mary Wollstonecraft
   3.

Question 2

Analyse and explain how liberal thinkers view free market capitalism.

Answer 2

Analyse and explain how liberal thinkers view free market capitalism.
1. Natural rights to own property and the rise of free trade (Locke and Adam Smith)
2. New industrialised context (J.S. Mills)
3. Reaction to socialism (Hobhouse)
Original liberal thinking is grounded in Locke’s vision of natural rights, especially surrounding property. His agricultural context, where property was equivalent to wealth, meant that he thought that the purpose of mankind was the accumulation of property. Liberal free-market capitalism is based on his concepts of negative freedom, where the government exists but rarely intervenes to allow for maximum liberty, especially within markets. Adam Smith’s ‘invisible hand’ theory continued this as he believed that the market will self-correct any disequilibrium, allowing the fairest price for consumers because they have choice and businesses will need to keep pricing low in order to remain competitive. Any intervention will prevent self-correction and make the market less successful. Locke and Smith both had privileged backgrounds in universities and benefitted from patrons, so this may have influenced their opinions of property as they did not have first-hand experience of poverty and other consequences of free market capitalism. Also, Locke was fearful of an overbearing government, specifically the king, so he did not view them as a reliable source to intervene in property. This idea is relevant in the modern day as neo-classical liberal economics still exists within political thinking, especially in America where Locke’s ideas were put into practice.

The industrial context changed the liberal belief in free market capitalism as it adapted to the emerging hierarchy produced through increased social mobility, such as the emergence of a middle class. However, many of the ideas that flourished within the Victorian period were based on liberal concepts, such as ‘self-help’ championed by Samuel Smiles. Liberalism became increasingly followed by free-market capitalists who benefitted from the industrial revolution, as it argued that hard work was the necessary part of success. However, J.S. Mill also emerged, who believed that the new problems presented by capitalism must be managed, although private property was needed for individual freedom. He disliked the problems caused by monopolies and large corporations, as it removed the benefits of choice initially advocated for by Smith and Locke. He also believed in social welfare and women’s rights, and believed that industries required regulation. While the liberal base of these ideas still existed, the new surge of ‘wage slavery’ which was criticised by many was adapted to with these ideas.

This continued at the beginning of the 20th century, as socialism began to increase in popularity through forms like cooperatives and trade unions, as well as the rise of the Labour Party in Britain. Liberalism was impacted as it had to respond to the threat of socialism, and ‘New Liberalism’ was born which provided national insurance and other benefits. People like Hobhouse advocated for a greater level of government influence due to the changing scene of the economy, as workers gained cash but could not accumulate property like the upper classes did, as well as nationalisation of some industries, so that equitable distribution could be seen. The free market economy shifted to a mixed economy as the liberal idea of individualism and independence reduced. These ideas reflect more closely the balance of socialist and liberal ideas present in British politics, such as the NHS compared to the cutting of benefits recently done by the Labour party. This conflict of ideas is still very present today, and has not been eradicated.

Question 3

Analyse and explain the role of freedom within liberal ideology.

Question 4

Analyse and explain how liberals have viewed society.

Question 5

Analyse and explain the role of natural rights for liberal thinkers.

Question 6

Analyse and explain the role of reason for liberal thinkers.