Growth of new liberalism Flashcards
Topic sentence
Some historians argue that the Liberal social reforms were a response to the growth of New Liberalism.
Evidence 1
By the beginning of the 20th century, philosophers such as J A Hobson and T H Green had moved away from the ‘old liberalism’ and believed that government had a responsibility to support the poor, arguing “the purpose of state action is to free citizens from hindrances and disabilities”.
Analysis 1
These views were significant in the passing of Liberal reforms because opinions were gradually shifting towards the poor, and in turn a new generation of Liberal politicians were influenced by this thinking.
Evidence 2
Furthermore, Herbert Asquith appointed Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George to his cabinet in 1908 and they were both prominent New Liberals who believed that it was their duty to held the deserving people.
Analysis 2
This was crucial to the passing of Liberal reforms because both men were strongly committed to welfare reforms and in turn they were mainly responsible for the increased state interference and reforming legislation that tackled poverty in the old, young, sick and the unemployed.
Counter analysis
*However, historians have pointed out that the new Liberals were still vastly outnumbered by ‘old’ laissez-faire Liberals and it was only when ‘old Liberal’ Campbell Bannerman died in 1908 that the new Liberals were able to introduce their interventionist ideas
Evaluation
Clearly, the emergence of New Liberalism because of the thinking of Hobson and Green influenced Churchill and Lloyd George who were wholly committed to reform and brought it into being was significant in the passing of Liberal reforms. However, this can’t be this most important reason as historians have pointed out that the new Liberals were still vastly outnumbered by ‘old’ laissez-faire Liberals and it was only when ‘old Liberal’ Campbell Bannerman died in 1908 that the new Liberals were able to introduce their interventionist ideas. Indeed changing attitudes to poverty was the most important reasons as it shifted society’s attitudes about the poor.
