DEWFALL - LIBERALISM Flashcards
(41 cards)
What are the two key concepts of liberalism ?
-liberty
-equality`
What are the religious roots of liberalism ?`
-reformation (15th-16th century)
-break from Catholicism
-belief that each person is responsible for their own relationship with God
How does enlightenment relate to liberalism ?
-the period sought to take individualist ideas (key liberal concept) into the secular world
-based on reason > faith
-each individual has free will
-influenced American and French revolutions
What is the Mechanistic Theory ?
-humans are rational
-therefore have the ability to think about the ideal state to live
-contrasts “divine right of kings”
What are the distinctive features of classical liberalism ?
-revolutionary potential
-negative liberty
-minimal state
-laissez faire capitalism
What is negative liberty ?
-any infringement on individual rights is unjust`
What is laissez-faire capitalism ?
-capitalism without limits, no gov interference
Why would classic liberals disagree with referendums ?
-leads to tyranny of the majority
What is developmental individualism ?
-individuals have the right to develop their potential
What are some of John Locke’s beliefs ?
-human beings are rational beings so the state of nature is peaceful with people seeking to develop themselves
-the state must be representative
-society existed before the state
-gov guidance in economics only to better the state of society
What is positive liberty ?
- People should be supported by the state/govt
What is ‘tyranny of the majority’ ?
- What ever the majority decides happens (referendums)
What are the Liberal tensions in terms of Human Nature ?
- All believe that humans are rational
- Locke and Hayek believe humans are innately respectful
- Mill and Rawls believe enlightened liberal authorities need to support respectfulness.
What are the Liberal tensions in terms of Society ?
- All liberals see Society as diverse and autonomous individuals
- Classical Liberals think human society predates the State.
- Neo Liberals think ‘dependancy culture’ must see a radical decrease of the State
What are Liberal tensions in terms of The State ?
- All Liberals believe that the State should function according to pre arranged rules
- Classical Liberals believe in ‘negative liberty’ and so a small state should exist
- Modern Liberals believe in ‘positive liberty’ and so a larger state should exist
What are some modern liberal beliefs about the economy ?
- minimal gov interference
- Keynesian economics
- positive liberty
What are the classical liberal beliefs about the economy ?
- laissez-faire capitalism
- negative liberty
What is meritocracy ?
- belief that individuals who have, through talent and effort, proven they deserve should be trusted to govern
- rejects the idea of the “divine right of kings”
Describe the traditional state
- monarchial
- absolutist
What is collectivism ?
- a larger state means more freedom
What is foundational equality ?
- all individuals have equal natural rights and are of equal value
Name a neo-liberal
- Friedrich Hayek
Who are some modern liberals ?
- John Rawls
- Keynes
Who are some classical liberals ?
- Adam Smith
- John Locke
