Liberalism Flashcards

1
Q

What is one example of individualism in practice?

A

Not having a national health service in the US (everyone has to pay for themselves)

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2
Q

What did Locke argue about knowledge?

A

People aren’t born with innate knowledge

Supported individualism away from tradition and inherited opinions

’reason should be our last judge and guide’

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3
Q

What is the idea of foundational equality?

A

People are all rational and all deserving of the same natural rights and dignities

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4
Q

Who grants natural rights?

A

Not granted by government; belong to all humans by birth

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5
Q

What is the example of natural rights in the US DoI?

A

“Endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights”

Cannot morally infringe upon the rights given by the constitution etc

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6
Q

How did liberalism address religious violence?

A

Argued tolerance and freedom of religion

Claimed that no peaceful society can exist when ‘religion is to be propagated by force of arms’

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7
Q

What is the liberal view of human nature?

A

Optimistic view

Humans can be educated and have the natural potential to progress positively

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8
Q

What are negative freedoms?

A

Freedom from outside interference
Absence of physical/legal obstacles

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9
Q

Which socioeconomic transformation led to te enhancement of liberalism?

A

Feudal to capitalist society

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10
Q

What did JS Mill say justified state intervention?

A

Harm Principle

‘Only purpose.. is to prevent harm to others’

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11
Q

What are the two types of regarding actions?

A

Self regarding actions - actions which do not impact the freedoms of others intervention not justifiable

Other regarding actions - actions which limit others’ freedoms state interference justifiable

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12
Q

In which period did classical liberalism exist?

A

18th and 19th century

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13
Q

What was Bentham’s theory of utilitarianism?

A

Best action brings about the most good
Argued good = pleasure

Therefore, people should be allowed to do what makes them happy to avoid pain

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14
Q

What type of individualism does classical liberalism promote?

A

Egotistical individualism

Individuals are self motivated
Society should allow people to behave independently

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15
Q

How would a classically liberal state guarantee freedoms?

A

Night watchman state

Protect property rights without provision of any services and welfare

Free market economics

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16
Q

What was Locke’s argument for private property in 1689?

A

We own our body (factor of production) and combining it with other factors of production makes the result your property

17
Q

Equality of opportunity & meritocracy

A

Ensuring people are not discriminated against when seeking success

People should he given jobs according to ability rather than connections or wealth

18
Q

How did industrial society change liberalism?

A

Deepening inequality led to questioning whether poor were truly free

Led to the development of positive freedoms

19
Q

What are positive freedoms?

A

Freedom to develop; break free of hindrance such as inequality or poverty

20
Q

How was JS Mill different in his view of utilitarianism?

A

Argued some pleasures are better than others: reading is better than alcohol

Argued greater utility meant better morality

21
Q

What is developmental individualism?

A

Progressing the individual in order to make people better and to enhance their contribution to society

Green argued for helping people work toward their liberty

22
Q

What kind of state do modern liberals advocate?

A

Enabling state

Active promotion of freedom by creating sufficient freedoms to achieve their goals

23
Q

Reforms of 1906-11 government

A

Free school meals for the poor
Medical inspections and treatment for children
State pension financed by taxation
National insurance established to pay for sick leave and unemployment benefits

24
Q

What was the beveridge report?

A

Identified causes of lack of productivity

Want, ignorance, disease, squalor, idleness

25
Q

How did atomism reduce in liberalism?

A

Increasingly concentrated urban society reduced atomism

Green argued for people working toward the social good

26
Q

What was Rawls original position?

A

Design a society from scratch from the veil of ignorance

People design fairer rules since they don’t have born inequality

27
Q

How do classical liberals view human nature?

A

Egotistical Individualism
Rationalism (utilitarianism)- positive of human nature
Harm Principle - people allowed to harm themselves

28
Q

How do modern liberals view human nature?

A

Developmental individualism
Prioritisation of higher pleasures and their pursuit
Positive freedoms enabled by the state

29
Q

What do classic liberals think of society?

A

Atomistic nature

Negative freedom and rights in Locke’s state of nature

Legal/formal equality of opportunity

30
Q

How do modern liberals see society?

A

Common good and less atomism

Positive freedoms

Substantive and true equality of opportunity

31
Q

How do classical liberals view the state?

A

Ultra minimal state

Negative freedom without state intervention in rights

Concern of majoritarianism and only gave franchise to property holders

32
Q

What do modern liberals think of the state?

A

Enabling state

Providing positive freedoms

Developmental individualism dictates there should be mass debate and expression on views

33
Q

How do classical liberals view property?

A

Laissez faire economics and the invisible hand

Property and ownership is a natural right

Minimal taxation to incentivise hard work

34
Q

How do modern liberals view the economy?

A

Keynesian economics

Positive redistribution of wealth and property

Society contributes to wealth so it should be redistributed