Differing views Flashcards
(23 cards)
What did classical liberalism stem from?
The rise of industrial capitalism in the 18th and 19th centuries
What did modern liberalism stem from
Reaction to the growth of free-market capitalism
What are classical liberals view on freedom?
Negative freedom and Egotistical individualism
What is egotistical individualism?
The idea that individual freedom is associated with self-interest and self-reliance
What are modern liberals view on freedom?
Positive freedom and Developmental individualism
What is developmental individualism?
Enabling individuals to enjoy personal growth and empowerment
What is the mechanistic theory?
The theory that people created the state to serve them and act in their interests
What is an enabling state?
A larger state that helps individuals to achieve their potential to be free
What do classical and modern liberals agree on about the state?
They both believe in the decentralisation of govt and protection of civil liberties
CL: Gladstone tried to grant Home Rule or self-govt to Ireland 19th century
ML: Devolution, HRA and Freedom of Information Act
What are classical liberals view on the state?
A minimal or ‘night watchman’ state whose role is to maintain social order, enforce contracts and provide defence against external attack.
Create an environment where laissez-faire capitalism can thrive
What is Social Darwinism?
Charles Darwin’s concept of natural selection applied to human society
Individuals differ in their abilities, it is unavoidable that some will succeed and others will fail
Who was Herbert Spencer?
Author of the classic text The Man versus the State (1884) who coined the phrase ‘survival of the fittest’
He maintained that those who do well are those who adapt most successfully to their economic environment
What were modern liberals view on the state?
They believed in an enabling state
What is an enabling state?
A larger state that helps individuals achieve their potential and be free
What were the New Liberals?
They supported policies of welfare as the way they bring about equality of opportunity
They argued if individuals and groups are held back by their social circumstances, the state has a social responsibility to reduce or remove these disadvantages
Who was H.H. Asquith
Labour Prime Minister, Pre WW1 ; expressed reforms to contribute to the social state: first old age pensions, National Insurance and labour exchanges
Who was Sir William Beveridge?
An expert on unemployment and social security as an adviser to the Liberal govt before WW1. Director of LSE 1919-1937 Master of University College, Oxford Liberal MP 1944-145 Appointed to the House of Lords
What was the Beveridge Report?
The foundation of the post-war British welfare
When was the Beveridge Report written?
1942
What did Keynes believe in?
The image of a self-regulating free market is a myth and that govt intervention is necessary to ensure that market economies deliver sustainable growth and keep unemployment low
What is Keynesianism?
An economic system that requires govt involvement to stimulate the economy to achieve full employment and price stability
What was stated in the Beveridge Report?
Liberty should be available equally to all and this was impossible if part of the population was held back by the ‘five giants’: poverty, lack of education, ill health, poor living conditions and unemployment
Who was Keynes?
An economist who represented the British govt in talks to the USA, which led to the creation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
