Classical Liberalism (NEW)

Question 1

How did classical liberalism originate?

Answer 1

When Protestants challenged the authoritarian control of the Catholic Church by advocating free will and individualism

Question 2

When did classical liberalism continue to thrive ?

Answer 2

Enlightenment when rationalist ideas of science and philosophy challenged traditional religious order

Question 3

Key thinkers for classical liberalism ?

Answer 3

John Locke (early classical liberalism ) and John Stuart mill (late classical liberalist)

Question 4

What are the four distinctive features of classical liberalism

Answer 4

1. Revolutionary potential
2. Negative liberity
3. Minimal state
4. Laissez-faire capitalism

Question 5

What is a Laissez-faire capitalism

Answer 5

Based Belief in private property and negative liberity so an economic system that allows private enterprise and capitalism to run with no to little state intervention

Question 6

What is classical liberalism ?

Answer 6

Early liberalism that believe individuals freedom is best achieved by state playing a minimal role

Question 7

What does Locke say as an early thinker of classical liberalism for revolutionary potential ?

Answer 7

Says that state should be managed by representative of the people (democracy ) and this should be done by revolution

Question 8

Which other classical liberalism key thinker had an opinion on revolutionary potential ?

Answer 8

Mary Wollstonecraft

Question 9

What did Mary Wollstonecraft as classical liberalism state about the need for a revolutionary potential ?

Answer 9

Treatment of women was a reason to have individual liberity as women were seen as emotional creatures, suited for marriage and motherhood that’s it

Question 10

Revolutionary potential

according to Mary Wollstonecraft what did society do ?

Answer 10

Society wanted to keep women in a state where they comply and agree and do not argue back

Question 11

Revolutionary potential

What did Mary Wollstonecraft say needed for state to control less ?

Answer 11

Men and women need formal education to release power of reason by dangerous revolution

Question 12

Critism of Mary Wollstonecraft?

Answer 12

She was middle class so different to working class women

Question 13

What is negative liberity ?

Answer 13

Freedom involves leaving individuals alone to pursue destiny and any attempts to interfere will be seen as prohibiting freedom

Question 14

What is a minimal state ?

Answer 14

Reflects negative liberty by minising state activity e.g protection of private property, legislating tax

Question 15

What key thinker does Laissez-faire capitalism link to ?

Answer 15

Adam smith

Question 16

What did Adam smith say about laissez-faire capitalism?

Answer 16

Capitalism by invisible hand of market force had the capacity to enrich society and the individuals within it

Question 17

What did Adam smith mean by invisible hand for laissez-faire capitalism ?

Answer 17

Goverment should not regulate the economy and instead competition for supply and demand like the Darwinism society of survival of the fittest of a competitive environment

Question 18

What does Adam smith say about laissez-faire and wealth ?

Answer 18

Wealth acquired by individuals would trickle down to rest of population as long as the state take a laissez-faire approach to market economy

Question 19

What is classical liberalism key tenets ?

Answer 19

1. Social contract theory
2. Foundational equality
3. Negative freedom
4. Laissez-Faire economics
5. Rugged individualism
6. Representative democracy

Question 20

What key classical liberal thinker agreed with social contract theory ?

Answer 20

John Locke

Question 21

What did John Locke say about the social contract theory ?

Answer 21

Individuals consent through a social contract to be governed by the state

Question 22

What is the social contract theory

Answer 22

Star is based on a contract between the people and goverment where the state/goverment agree to make itself accountable to the people by law and people should agree to obey security of the state

Question 23

What is foundational equality ?

Answer 23

Individuals are born with natural rights which includes freedom influenced by the state which entitles them to liberity happiness and abiding pain

Question 24

What two key thinkers discussed foundational equality?

Answer 24

Wollstonecraft and mill say that foundational equality should be applied to men and women, those of different religion, race or ethnicity for tolerance

Question 25

What is rugged individualism ?

Answer 25

People succeed or fail based on their own efforts (meritocracy) and position in society in their own hands and if state provides welfare and assistance it will affect development of person

Question 26

What is a representative democracy?

Answer 26

Need well educated representative to make decisions on the people’s behalf as better then following uninformed majority

Question 27

Examples of early classical liberal key thinkers ?

Answer 27

1. John Locke
2. Mary Wollstonecraft
3. J.S Mill (early writings )