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Politics Paper 1 🖤 > Liberalism > Flashcards

Liberalism Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 6 core liberal ideas?

A

Individualism
Freedom/liberty
The state ‘a necessary evil’
Rationalism
Equality and social justice
Liberal democracy

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2
Q

Define rationalism

A

People are capable of making their own decisions. They are reasonable and logical.

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3
Q

What is a ‘liberal democracy’?

A

A democracy that balances the will of the people through elections with a limited gov and respect for civil liberties.

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4
Q

What type of individualism do classical liberals believe in?

A

Egotistical individualism: people are self seeking and self reliant

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5
Q

What type of individualism do modern liberals believe in?

A
  • Developmental: minimal self interest, and individual freedom links to a desire to create a society where all can flourish.
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6
Q

What did John Locke say about freedom?

A

‘Where there is no law, there is no freedom’

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7
Q

What is utilitarianism?

A

Human action are motivated by a desire for pleasure and to avoid pain.

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8
Q

Who thought the utilitarian concept was too simplistic?

A

John Stuart Mill

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9
Q

Who put forward the idea of ‘negative freedom’?

A

John Stuart Mill

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10
Q

What is negative freedom?

A

Individuals should only be subject to external restraint when their actions potentially effect others.

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11
Q

What did Lord Acton say about power?

A

‘Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely’’

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12
Q

What is constitutionalism?

A

A government where power is distributed and limited by laws

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13
Q

How do liberals believe you can keep the government limited?

A

Checks and balances
Separation of powers
Bill of rights
Devolution

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14
Q

What liberals believe in laissez-faire capitalism?

A

Classical
Self interest drives economic growth

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15
Q

Due to rationalism, what did classical liberals accept?

A

Competition between individuals. It will produce conflicts but they favour the use of reasoned debate to resolve issues.

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16
Q

What do modern liberals believe would prevent conflict between groups and people?

A

Industrial arbitration (a neutral 3rd party which would meditate between people. E.g. employers and trade unions in effort to avert costly legal action.)

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17
Q

What is liberalism based on?

A
  • The belief in foundational equality.
  • Formal equality.
  • Equal voting rights.
18
Q

What type of society do classical liberals support?

A

A meritocracy

19
Q

What are four distinct features of classical liberalism?

A
  • Revolutionary potential.
  • Negative liberty.
  • Minimal state.
  • Laissez-faire capitalism.
20
Q

What are the liberal key thinkers?

A

Classical:
- John Locke
- Mary Wollstonecraft
- John Stuart Mill
Modern:
- John Rawls
- Betty Friedan

21
Q

What are John Locke’s ideas?

A
  • Social Contract Theory.
  • Limited government - constitutionalism, separation of powers.
  • Gov should protect property rights.
  • Tolerance to some..
  • State of nature. (people had ‘Natural Laws’, ‘Natural Rights’, ‘Natural Liberties’) - Innate rights.
22
Q

What are Mary Wollstonecrafts ideas?

A
  • Women are rational.
  • Formal equality.
  • Society free from discrimination.
  • Education would enable potential.
  • Equality of opportunity (right for women to choose).
23
Q

What are John Stuart Mill’s ideas?

A
  • Harm principle.
  • Degree of state intervention to prevent injustice.
  • Single rate income tax, inheritance tax.
  • Equality for men and women.
  • Exercise tolerance for diverse opinions and the ability to express a minority view.
  • Developmental individualism.
24
Q

What are John Rawls’s ideas?

A
  • Rejected utilitarianism as it didn’t take into account the range of goals/desires.
  • All entitled to certain rights and economic justice.
  • Minimise difference in outcomes.
  • ’Veil of ignorance’ and a low-risk strategy for those at bottom/ minimum standard of living.
  • ‘Property owning democracy’ where ownership is widely distributed, and poor can be economically independent.
  • State intervention to enable society (welfare) Redistribution of wealth. Human nature is empathetic.
25
Q

What are Betty Friedan’s ideas?

A
  • Oppressive laws and views must be rejected.
  • Anti discrimination laws.
  • Reform in existing social structure.
  • Wanted opportunistic equality.
  • Ensure foundational equality and equality of opportunity in both society and the economy.
26
Q

What is positive freedom?

A

Some individuals may need enabling so that they’re free.

27
Q

Why do Modern liberals believe an enabling state is necessary?

A
  • Nature of modern economics and society meant individuals were subject to socio economic forces.
  • They can then exploit their potential and achieve control.
28
Q

What type of constitutional change do modern liberals want?

A

Written constitution, accountability to lords and lowering voter age.

29
Q

What do modern liberals think about direct democracy?

A
  • Can encourage tyranny of the majority.
  • Mill argued vital decisions where best left for more liberally minded Parliament.
30
Q

What are examples of legislation which protects minority groups?

A

Race relations act 1976 and Sex discrimination act 1975

31
Q

Where is there agreement over human nature?

A

Positive view. Humans are rational and capable

32
Q

Where is there disagreement over human nature?

A
  • Egotistical individualism: naturally drawn to own advancement.
  • Developmental individualism: desire to create a society where everyone can flourish.
33
Q

What is social Darwinism?

A

believe in “survival of the fittest”—the idea that certain people become powerful in society because they are innately better.

34
Q

Where is their consensus over Individualism?

A
  • The exercise in tolerance
  • The belief in rationalism
35
Q

Where is there consensus over freedom/liberty?

A
  • Believe in a mechanistic view of the state and human nature.
  • State should be limited in order to free individuals.
36
Q

What do liberals believe about equality and social justice?

A
  • Equality of opportunity (all should have equal chances).
  • Foundational equality (all should enjoy same legal and political rights in society).
  • Ensured by free and fair elections and law.
37
Q

What do classical liberals believe about equality and social justice?

A
  • Different individuals with different talents should be rewarded differently.
  • Social inequality is good as it gives people an incentive to work.
  • Meritocracy.
38
Q

What do modern liberals believe about equality and social justice?

A

Support full civil rights for women and minorities
Degree of state intervention

39
Q

Where is there consensus over the idea of a liberal democracy?

A
  • Gov based on consent, right to rebel if they break this contract.
  • Limited power of the state.
  • Constitutionalism.
40
Q

Where is there differing views over liberal democracy?

A
  • Classical liberal Mill discusses allocating more votes for educated to avoid influence of the uneducated. Dislikes tyranny of the majority.
  • Modern liberals would say this is elitist. they support democracy as long as it provides a constitutional framework.

Politics Paper 1 🖤 (11 decks)

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