LIBERAL THINKERS

Question 1

THINKERS

Answer 1

• Locke
• Wollstonecraft
• Stuart Mill
• Friedan
• Rawls

Question 2

LOCKE

Answer 2

• Father of classical liberalism
• “Two Treatises of Government” 1690 laid down foundation of classical liberalism: all men have “natural rights” to life, liberty, and property
• Human Nature: rational, guided by self-interest but mindful of others; rationality enables them not to have destructive tendencies; born as tabula rasa and shaped by experience- POSITIVE
• State: minimal, limited to securing the life and property of citizens, based on social contract by consent of governed, limited but present- believed laws were needed for freedom, refuted divine right, if rulers failed to protect natural rights they should be removed
• Society: “social contract” theory argues individuals choose give up some liberties to the government to gain laws, judges, and executive; free, equal individuals
• Economy: mercantilism (more exports than imports- nationalistic view)- argues for natural right to private property; state should only arbitrate between individuals competing and protect private property

Question 3

WOLLSTONECRAFT

Answer 3

• Developed liberal ideas after Locke in 1700s
• “A vindication of the rights of women”- argues women are as rational as men; need to be independent from men and children
• Human nature: both genders rational and intellectual; need equal rights and independence “the mind has no gender”- education and opportunity important
• State: argued republicanism over a monarchy to ensure protection of rights; tool for correcting societal inequalities like allowing women to access participation in public life
• Society: women wrongly denied education, needed to be rational, equal members of society; infantilised and individualism stifled
• Economy: Free-market economy energised by enterprise of liberated women, keeping women as “convenient domestic slaves” waste of assets, women should be trained for careers

Question 4

THOMAS HILL GREEN

Answer 4

• “Lectures on the principles of political obligation”
• Views inspired recent attempts to eradicate child poverty
  > negative freedom: absence of constraints (freedom FROM); positive freedom: ability to pursue goals and fulfilment (freedom TO)
• Human nature: able to apply reason, rationality, and will to actions and moral life; morality developed through duties and responsibilities
• State: Big role- enable and protect social, political, and economic environment (like relief of poverty); should intervene when a liberty curbs another (slavery); should be careful on what and how liberties are curtailed; should promote morality
• Society: as important to man as man is to society, not independent from one another; self-realisation only possible in conjunction with society- exclusive self-interest has no place, everyone has duty to society and the law
• Economy: critical of laissez-faire capitalism and unchecked industrialisation- state should ensure more moral and equitable economy

Question 5

STUART MILL

Answer 5

• “On Liberty” developed transitional liberalism- bridge between classical and modern
• Human Nature: individuals are rational enough to make decisions about their well-being; human nature is constantly progressing - need for education emphasized
• State: “harm principle”- only acceptable intervention of authority should be stopping someone from harming another, ensuring education, and social progress- mix of modern and classical liberalism
• Society: diversity important, all should have free will and responsibility over their own lives + established beliefs should be challenged such as female oppression
• Economy: came close to socialism at times; favoured inheritance taxation, trade protectionism, and government oversight (workplace regulations)

Question 6

FRIEDAN

Answer 6

• liberal feminist
• The feminine mystique: societal expectation for women to find fulfillment solely through domestic life was harmful and stifled potential, believed that women were just as capable as men in all areas and should have equal opportunities
• Second wave feminist; influenced feminism and liberalism by extending tolerance and equality to minorities
• Human nature: evolved in a way that discourages self-advancement towards women; all should be free to control own lives- women made to believe their lives were controlled by human nature (set gender roles) rather than their own rationality
• State: should legislate to prevent discrimination, rejected patriarchy- key in dismantling barriers to female participation
• Society: illiberal views condemned women to underachievement, should not be restricted to gender roles
• Economy: free-market beneficial to women if allied with legislation to prevent discrimination, reliance on women’s unpaid labour is bad; government should intervene through Keynesian economy (government should stimulate demand like investing in infrastructure and education)

Question 7

RAWLS

Answer 7

• “A theory of Justice” had great influence on modern liberalism
• “Veil of Ignorance” thought experiment to balance freedom and equality- aspects everyone would agree to from a state of ignorance on their position in a society
• Human Nature: rational, selfish but empathetic, valued individual liberty and those around them
• State: should provide equality, enable less fortunate to advance, individuals should have foundational equality in law and in socioeconomic factors
• Society: most would choose society in which condition of poorest is improved; not just that some should have less in order for others to prosper
• Economy: free-market capitalism should change to advance those below; redistribution of wealth; higher income= higher tax- inequalities should benefit least advantaged