Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

politics > liberalism > Flashcards

liberalism Flashcards

1
Q

what did john locke think about human nature?

A

that people are naturally good, peaceful and rational.
Their natural state of nature was one of freedom (natural freedoms/ liberties and rights)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what did john locke think of society?

A

Society – That there should be a government at the top of society, but it should leave society alone as much as it can. There should be tolerance of difference​

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what did john locke think of the economy?

A

Economy – property is a good thing and a natural right. Govt should not interfere.​

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what was lockes’ idea of the social contract?

A
  • people are soverign
  • if the monarch/government went against the peoples’ interests, the people could rebel against them
  • the threat of rebellion should stop the govt from going to far
  • the government needs to have the ongoing consent of the people
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what did john locke think about the state?

A

That there should be a government, however, it should be limited in it’s powers. It is there to keep the peace between citizens.
- There should be no state religion. there needed to ve tolerance, the state shouldn’t stop anyone from following the religion that they wanted to

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what did were locke’s ideas around a limited govt?

A

the government should not have absolute / unlimited power, but rather, set rules about what it could (and couldn’t do). This would make make it easier for govts to keep their side of the social contract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what did mary wollstonecraft (classical liberal) think about human nature?

A
  • people are naturally rational: both men and women
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what was locke’s background?

A

Locke’s father fought in the Civil War and a lot of Locke’s ideas came from this experience. King Charles I government was concerned with the welfare of the King rather than his people, and the resulting chaos was consequences of his unlimited power. ​

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what did mary wollstonecraft (classical liberal) think about the state?

A

should ensure that all people are treaty equally, regardless of sex.
- the state had to give women education
the state had to treat people equally before the law, regardless of sex ​

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what did mary wollstonecraft (classical liberal) think about society?

A

should treat men and women equally.​

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what did mary wollstonecraft (classical liberal) think about the economy?

A

women should be free to pursue economic interests independently of men.​

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

how did mary wolllstonefract (classical liberal) advocate for reason?

A
  • believed that women were rational, independent bodies that were capable of reason just like men
  • therefore women should be given the right to vote - just like men
  • locke’s optimistic view of human nature should apply to women aswell
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

how did mary wolllstonefract (classical liberal) advocate for formal equality?

A
  • women should be given the right to vote
  • women should be given the right to equal education
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what did john stuart mill (classical liberal) think of human nature?

A

People are rational, but also can improve. They should be free to do what they want, as long as they don’t harm others​

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what did john stuart mill (classical liberal) think of the state?

A

The state should be limited, and representative democracy, not direct democracy so that people cannot abuse other people’s liberty
- he was scared of the tyranny of the (uneducated) majority
- there should be a democratically elected government but it should be a limited govt

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what did john stuart mill (classical liberal) think of society?

A

Differences should be tolerated, people should be left to be the best person they could be

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what did john staurt mill think of the economy?

A

Businesses should be free to do what they want, as long as they do not harm people.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

how did john stuart mill (classical liberal) advocate for the harm principle?

A
  • individuals should be free to do as they wish are long as they do not harm other - negative liberty
    he state should allow everyone to be free, and only intervene to stop others. This applied to religious practices, but also businesses. Therefore religious practices should be tolerated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

how does john stuart mill (modern liberal) advocate for developmental individualism?

A
  • the individual is something that could be improved and bettered
20
Q

how do modern and classical liberals agree on individualism?

A

all people are equal - foundational equality
agree on self- reliance to an extent, modern libs believe that the state must offer individuals a hand up

21
Q

how do classical and modern liberals disagree over individualism?

A
  • Classical egotistical individualism, the individual knows what is best for him/herself (best arbiter) and therefore they are motivated to maximise their own utility.
  • Society is just a collection of self-interested individuals.​
  • a small state refrains from infringing upon individual freedoms
  • Modern developmental individualism the person is the best arbiter when they are fully developed (JS Mill) people have the capacity to be even better than they are,
    (Rawls/Friedan), therefore the state should help them improve by being bigger and intervening. Therefore, whilst they are individuals, they have an obligation to help others.​
  • only an interventionist state gan guarantee life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness which are rights that classical consider imperative
22
Q

how do modern and classical liberals agree on the state?

A
  • checks and balances: power should be divided between different branches of the state, and it should be able to stop the other from abusing the power. The State/Government should only govern by consent / social contract theory. There should be no rule by divine right​
  • the state should intervene to uphold the rile of law, protect society from invasion
23
Q

how do modern and classical liberals disagree on the state?

A

MINIMAL STATE VS ENABLING STATE
Classical Minimal State people and society can only be free when government is limited (Locke). Laws should be made to stop the government growing and intervening (into society and economy). If it isn’t then that state/govt will take away people’s freedom Classical do not explicitly want a democratic state, and worry (JS Mill) about tyranny of the majority / uneducated. Laissez-faire approach to economics, lead by the individual, keeping the state out of it.​

Modern Enabling State - the state should not provide for people, but help them provide for themselves – e.g. education. Friedan – the State should provide equality of opportunity. Rawls – the state should treat all people fairly. Modern Liberals are explicit in wanting a democratic state. Keynesian approach to economics, lead by the state.​

24
Q

what does betty friedan (modern liberal) think about human nature?

A

Men and women are individuals; however women have been held back from being what they could be.​

25
Q

what does betty friedan (modern liberal) think about the state?

A

The state had a positive role to play in ensuring legal equality of opportunity through legislation.​

26
Q

what does betty friedan (modern liberal) think about society?

A

Society’s illiberal attitudes treated women as the lesser sex, society had to be reformed through state legislation, and education to become more liberal.​

27
Q

what does betty friedan (modern liberal) think about the economy?

A

Women should have equal opportunities that men should have in the free market capitalistic economy.​

28
Q

how does betty friedan (modern liberal) advocate for legal equality?

A
  • women are as capable as men and that oppressive laws and social views must be overturned
29
Q

what does betty friedan (modern liberal) think about individualism?

A

the individual is the best arbiter of what is right for him/herself, and individual freedom is what will bring equality.​

However, she thought that woman had been limited in their individualism because society would not be the person they could be or wanted to be. These attitudes were spread through society through schools, organized religion and the media (books and film).​

30
Q

how does betty friedan (modern liberal) advocate for equality of opportunity?

A
  • ENABLING STATE
    – women are being held back from their potential because of the limited number of jobs that are ‘acceptable’ for women.​
    The state had to be an enabling state and draw up legislation ensuring equality of opportunity. She wanted state that would ensure equality.​
  • as she wants the liberal state to intervene and create equality of opportunity; she sees the role of the state to enable equality of woman, not just through legislation, but also education.​
31
Q

what does john rawls (modern liberal) think about human nature?

A

People are empathetic (concerned with others especially their freedom), fair, and rational.​

32
Q

what does john rawls (modern liberal) think about the state?

A

The state should be a just and enabling state that makes sure that everyone has a chance at equality, through public spending. Keynesian economics done by the state.​

33
Q

what does john rawls (modern liberal) think about the economy?

A

Free market capitalism but should not be too unequal – the rich should not benefit at the expense of the poor. There should be economic equality. Keynesian economics done by the state

34
Q

what does john rawls (modern liberal) think about society?

A

Meritocracy, but the top should not be too far away from the bottom.​

35
Q

how does john rawls advocate for a veil of ignorance?

A
  • ‘veil of ignorance’. This was the idea that if you didn’t know who you were in society, you would try and make the state / society / economy as just (and equal) as possible, whether you were a poor disabled person, or a rich businessperson. He argued that this meant you would choose a state with as little inequality as possible​
  • theory of justice: society must be just and guarantee each citizen a life worth living
36
Q

how does john rawls (modern liberal) advocate for an enabling state?

A

to provide the welfare state, which would make sure that the people at the top could not benefit at the expense of people at the bottom, looking for economic equality. It has been argued that this is more socialist than liberal. ​

37
Q

how do liberals agree on rationalism?

A

All Liberals agree on rationalism as their view of human nature – reason is paramount. They all agree that an idea can be used to organise society, state, and the economy.​

38
Q

how do liberals disagree on rationalism?

A

Classical use rationalism to advance the laissez-faire free market approach – that humans through the market will be the best arbiter (decider) of what to buy rationally.

Society: classical libs believe that
Locke’s idea of a social contract only works if the individual is rational​
Modern liberals develop on this and say
Rawls argues that because individuals are rational, when behind the veil of ignorance they will choose a more equal society

Modern JS Mill ideas on education, further promoted rationality. Emphasis on Keynesian economics (the state should spend in a crisis to stimulate the economy) is an extension of rationality, even if it is as odds with the laissez-faire free market approach. Rawls ideas of Theory of Justice and Veil of Ignorance cannot be entered into if the individual is not rational​

39
Q

how do classical and modern liberals disagree over equality and social justice?

A

All agree that Foundational, formal, legal equality are important.​

40
Q

how do modern and classical liberals disagree over equality and social justice?

A

Classical less concerned with equality of opportunity, and more with a meritocracy, which gave a chance for the talented people to rise to the top. They would have wanted a minimal state not a state that could redistribute wealth. Representative democracy meant not necessarily doing what the people wanted, but what was in their best interest.​

Modern equality must go further and should apply to all marginalised groups e.g. ethnic minorities, disabled, homosexuals, transsexuals. The enabling state should ensure this. They would support Social Justice.

41
Q

how do modern and classical liberals agree on liberal democracy?

A

liberal democracy – a democracy that balances the will of the people, as shown through elections, with limited government (state) and a respect for civil liberties in society – to cover why liberals support it as well as why they are concerned about it.​

​- democracy. rights are enshrined by law and free elections should be held - consent in the social contract This is because each citizen is a rational citizen meaning that they can be the best arbiter of what the state should be.
- There should be equal rights for all types of citizens. There should also be protection for minorities as they have equal rights as the majority.​

42
Q

how do modern and classical liberals disagree on the idea of liberal democracy?

A

Classical wary of popular democracy and wanted to give more votes / power to the elite classes, and protection against tyranny of the majority. They also wanted a minimal state with as little power as possible.​

​

Modern all people should have the vote. There should be safeguards for the minority, e.g. minority rights to make sure they are not harmed by the majority. A welfare state to care for the poorest in society (coming from the Beveridge report)

43
Q

to what extent do liberals agree on the economy?

A

AGREE

DISAGREEMENT ON STATE INTERVENTION:
modern liberals believe in developmental individualism and therefore completely being let alone by te state does not serve individual’s interests. john rawls argued that the state should be enabling and give everyone an equal chance at equality through public spending
classical liberal disagree on te extent of government intervention. for example, john locke wanted a night watchman state in which the government is there to simply enforce rules and provide structure, however therefore there shouldn’t be intervention in the economy

AGREEMENT: WOMEN IN THE ECONOMY
classical liberals believe that people are rational and capable of reason. john stuart mill also advocated for women equality and argued that they were equally rational creatures and therefore give them access to education mary wollenstonecraft believes that women should be free to pursue their economic interests without the interference of men, this would enhance the economy
modern liberals believe that state intervention in the economy is needed to allow women too properly thrive. betty friedan also believes that liberated women can thrive and enhance the economy. however, she believes that the government needs to provide legislation and provisions to facilitate this, such as providing free healthcare

AGREEMENT: FREE MARKET
- classical liberals want to protect the free market
and capitalism.
john stuart mill argued that laissez- faire capitalism promotes individualism, initiative and progress. this would mean that market forces alone dictate the economy.
- modern liberals support for the free market is limited as john rawls believes capitalism creates inequalities and this should be resolved with state intervention and Keynesian economics.

44
Q

to what extent do liberals agree on the society? - AGREE

A

DISAGREEMENT ON INDIVIDUALISM: how should society promote individualism
Classical think that individualism should be free to pursue their individual goals because society is comprised of atomised individuals who seek to maximise their own gains and fulfill their goals. Mary wollenstonecraft would argue that women should be given the same formal education as men to fulfill their true potential ans excercise individualism and reduce dependency culture.
Modern liberals think that society should give individuals opportunity for fulfilment

Agreement to an extent. Both want individualism. Classical think this should be through legislation but modern think this should be through a welfare state. John Rawls

AGREEMENT: WANT TOLERANCE
classcial liberals believe that because individuals are rational, they should have religious freedom. locke believed that society should be tolerant in order to prevent violence as john locke had seen in the english civil war
modern liberals would agree: believe that the state should legislate in order to ensure everyone is tolerated. betty friedan argued that there should be greater tolerance of women in the economy by men and the state should change society’s perception of jobs that acceptable for women

DISAGREEMENT ON EQUALITY TO ACHIEVE A MERITOCRATIC STATE: society should be meritocratic. This means that’s individuals success and status is determined by their merit and ability not inherited social status. This also means that imdividiuals should be class mobile

  • classical liberals are more concerned with meritocracy than equality. Mary Wolfe stonecraft advocated for formal equality for women and men, where they are both entitled to equal civil liberties. However, she is less concerned with equality of outcome because she wants to maintain a smaller state, pursuit of equality may reduce incentives for individuals to work hard
  • however modern liberals would argue that in order for their to be a meritocracy, individuals must have equality of opportunity. John Rawls believes that society should be meritocratic however the gap between the poor and rich in society should not be as wide.
45
Q

to what extent to liberals agree on the state?

A

AGREEMENT SOCIAL CONTRACT : the state should be limited by constitutionalism, and separation of powers

disagreement: INDIVIDUALISM
classical liberals: want egostistical individualism, negative freedom, harm principle
modern liberals: want develomental individualism and an enabling state.

DISAGREEMENT ON LIBERAL DEMOCRACY : classicals feared the uneducated masses and wanted represntative democrcay
modern liberals want direct democracy and suffrage for women. need education to use the ballot wisely.

46
Q

to what extent do liberals on human nature?

A
  • DISAGREEMENT ON FREEDOM
  • classical liberals believe that in order for people to have freedom their human nature rejects
  • AGREEMENT ON INDIVIDUALISM: individuals are rational and want to pursue their best life
  • AGREEMENT ON RATIONALISM
    classical liberals argue that men are as capable as men. j s mill advocated for the rights of women and said that

politics (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions