liberalism Flashcards
(46 cards)
what did john locke think about human nature?
that people are naturally good, peaceful and rational.
Their natural state of nature was one of freedom (natural freedoms/ liberties and rights)
what did john locke think of society?
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
what did john locke think of the economy?
Economy – property is a good thing and a natural right. Govt should not interfere.
what was lockes’ idea of the social contract?
- 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
what did john locke think about the state?
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
what did were locke’s ideas around a limited govt?
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
what did mary wollstonecraft (classical liberal) think about human nature?
- people are naturally rational: both men and women
what was locke’s background?
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.
what did mary wollstonecraft (classical liberal) think about the state?
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
what did mary wollstonecraft (classical liberal) think about society?
should treat men and women equally.
what did mary wollstonecraft (classical liberal) think about the economy?
women should be free to pursue economic interests independently of men.
how did mary wolllstonefract (classical liberal) advocate for reason?
- 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 did mary wolllstonefract (classical liberal) advocate for formal equality?
- women should be given the right to vote
- women should be given the right to equal education
what did john stuart mill (classical liberal) think of human nature?
People are rational, but also can improve. They should be free to do what they want, as long as they don’t harm others
what did john stuart mill (classical liberal) think of the state?
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
what did john stuart mill (classical liberal) think of society?
Differences should be tolerated, people should be left to be the best person they could be
what did john staurt mill think of the economy?
Businesses should be free to do what they want, as long as they do not harm people.
how did john stuart mill (classical liberal) advocate for the harm principle?
- 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 does john stuart mill (modern liberal) advocate for developmental individualism?
- the individual is something that could be improved and bettered
how do modern and classical liberals agree on individualism?
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
how do classical and modern liberals disagree over individualism?
- 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
how do modern and classical liberals agree on the state?
- 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
how do modern and classical liberals disagree on the state?
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.
what does betty friedan (modern liberal) think about human nature?
Men and women are individuals; however women have been held back from being what they could be.