Liberalism

Question 1

What are the core ideas?

Answer 1

Individualism, Freedom, Rationalism, Equality, Social Justice, Liberal democracy and a limited state role

Question 2

Who are the Key Liberal Thinkers?

Answer 2

John Locke, Mary Wollstonecraft, John Stuart Mill, John Rawls and Betty Friedan

Question 3

How does Liberalism view humans?

Answer 3

As rational creatures capable of understanding the world and making decisions for themselves

Question 4

How many states across the globe are classed as Liberal democracies by the UN?

Answer 4

2/3 , a 7x increase since 1945

Question 5

What is the brief history of Liberalism?

Answer 5

Roots lay in the reformation and Enlightenment

Question 6

What are the Christianic views around Liberalism?

Answer 6

argued individuals shouldn’t rely on priests or popes, thought individuals should make their own connection with god

Question 7

How did the French Revolution reflect Liberal ideas and Enlightenment?

Answer 7

Rejection of the monarchy

Question 8

How did the American Revolution reflect Liberal ideas and Enlightenment?

Answer 8

Rejected the British imperial rule, allowing them freedom

Question 9

What is a mechanistic theory?

Answer 9

Argues that humans are rational and can build a state that reflects their needs

Question 10

What is the view of Classical Liberals?

Answer 10

government by consent, guarantee of individual freedom, representative democracy, limited state role of society and economy, and individuals are born with natural rights

Question 11

What is the view of Modern Liberals?

Answer 11

Similar core ideas to classic liberals but argues for an increased role of the state within society and economy

Question 12

What was the belief around Egotistical Human Nature?

Answer 12

Liberals argue each human is unique and endowed with certain natural rights, and humans are fundamentally driven by egotistical individualism or self interest

Question 13

What do Liberals believe every individual seeks? (3 things)

Answer 13

Self-realisation, self-determination and self-fulfilment

Question 14

What do liberals believe happens if these 3 things are denied?

Answer 14

Humans are demoralised, de-energised and afflicted by a sense of wasted life

Question 15

What did both Betty Friedan and Mary Wollstonecraft argue?

Answer 15

Male and Female individuals share a desire for self-fulfilment and self-determination (no voting rights for women ATT)

Question 16

What is the view of Developmental individualism (progressive)?

Answer 16

Argue human nature isn’t set in stone and that it’s constantly developing through greater knowledge. Also that humans today are more rational, intelligent and respectful.

Question 17

What does developmental individualism link to?

Answer 17

Utility or Utilitarianism, a doctrine advanced by the radical philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Asserted that humans are guided by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain