Liberalism Flashcards
(9 cards)
- Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers have viewed human nature. (2021 and grid)
Locke – Optimistic view of human nature. Humans are fundamentally rational beings who are born with equal moral worth. Thus, he believed in formal equality meaning all people should be equal in terms of the law
Wollstonecraft – Optimistic view, men and Women are equally capable of rational thought. Believed the treatment of women was an affront to the reason and individual liberty. She observed that instead of allowing women to develop to their potential, society contrived to keep women “in a state of lifeless inactivity”. By limiting women’s rights, England was limiting their intelligence.
Mill – Developmental Individualism - Human nature is capable of progressing to higher levels - access to education for all
- Explain and analyse three ways that liberal thinkers have viewed state intervention. (specimen paper and grid)
P1 - John Locke- because of it’s contractual nature, the state would have to embody the principle of limited government- always representing the interests of the governed and requiring the ongoing consent of the governed. Defined by the separation of power.
P2 - John Stuart Mill- The state should not interfere in an individual’s actions unless it violates the harm principle. This means negative liberty – any attempt to interfere with an individual’s actions could be seen as an infringement of liberty. “Self-regarding actions” should be tolerated but not “other-regarding actions” which infringe on the freedom of others.
P3 - John Rawls- justified an expansion of the state in the name of individual liberty: more laws, more state spending, more taxation and more state bureaucracy- collectivism. State should intervene to ensure equality of opportunity and ensure an adequate scheme of equal basic liberties and rights.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers have viewed the role of the state. (2020 and grid)
P1 – Locke – Social contract – People agree to surrender some of the freedom they enjoyed in the state of nature and submit to a ruler who will protect their natural rights. Thought individualism in the state of nature could have been impeded by stalemate disputes of those pursuing their egocentric agendas. Thus, the state should arbitrate between the competing claims of random individuals.
P2 – Mill – The state should ensure the greatest happiness for the greatest number. He believed each individual; would seek to maximise their own utility and this would lead to clashes. Tolerate all actions unless they violated the “harm principle”. This includes tolerating other religions. Representative democracy in which liberally minded thinkers make decisions for the electorate. Believed universal suffrage should be preceded by universal education to promote developmental individualism.
P3 – Wollstonecraft – The state should legislate to prevent discrimination against females. Believes formal equality including education should be available as without this, individuals can never realise their potential. By limiting women’s rights, England was limiting their intelligence.
- Explain and analyse three main features of the liberal state. (textbook)
P1 – Locke – Due to the state’s contractual nature, the state would have to employ the principle of limited government. This would be confirmed by the dispersal of it’s powers. Founded on an explicit rejection of the state in Europe common before the enlightenment ( Monarchical and Absolutist rule)
P2 Rawls – liberal state is an “enabling state” - The state needs to intervene to protect the poorest in the economy to prevent problems caused by free market capitalism and the minimal state; a significant redistribution of wealth through progressive taxation
P3 – Friedan – Liberal state is one in which men and women are treated equally and should have laws in place to actively prevent discrimination against females. Believed a liberal society is one in which we are not conditioned culturally to undermine the rationality of women.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers have viewed society. (grid)
P1 - Locke - society predates the state. Stated that prior to the state’s existence, there was a “natural society” which was underpinned by “natural laws, liberties and rights”. This society was pleasant and civilised. The current state of law was created to resolve disputes between individuals more effectively.
P2- Mill – Atomistic view of society – Society is no more than a collective of self-interested people who have no obligation to one another. Societies should accommodate for individualism and sow tolerance for the actions of others. This includes societal tolerance of different religions and beliefs.
P3 - Rawls - people would always choose a society that had the best conditions for the poorest. Veil of ignorance and original position – Imagine you we in a conscious intelligent state before birth and you don’t have any knowledge of the circumstances you would be born into. Any participant would want good schools, housing and a fair legal system.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers have viewed the economy. (grid)
P1 – Locke - government intervention in the economy is limited to protect natural rights; the economy will benefit from free market capitalism and individualism, minimal /nightwatchman state – to enforce negative rights - classical liberalism linked to Thatcherism and Reaganomics, although less significant in contemporary UK and US politics.
P2 - Friedan - The Feminine Mystique (1963) argued legislation was required to prevent sexual discrimination will benefit the economy by allowing women to contribute equally - women still face discrimination and economic equality has not been achieved.
P3 – Rawls – The state needs to intervene to protect the poorest in the economy to prevent problems caused by free market capitalism and the minimal state; a significant redistribution of wealth through progressive taxation by an enabling states is required although inequality will exist due to the need for individual liberty - Rawls’ Theory of Justice (1971) influenced politicians such as Bill Clinton in policies towards eradicating poverty
- Explain and analyse liberalism’s support for a capitalist economy. (textbook)
P1 - Following Locke’s assertion that property is a natural right, all liberals believe that the economy should be based on private property and private enterprise.
P2 – Mill supports Free Markets as he believes trade is a social act and so restraints should be limited. He also believed humans are egotistical individuals concerned with their own self-interest and this should be respected.
P3 – Rawls supported capitalism believed that inequality was inevitable due to individual freedom but also believed in equality of opportunity (not outcome)
- Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal ideas limit individual freedom. (2019)
P1 – RAWLS – Modern liberal. The state should protect the rights of those who are vulnerable to inequality. Progressive taxation limits the wealth of the rich.
P2 – MILL – Harm principle limits freedom to do things that harm others. Believed we have an obligation not to injure the interests of others. When a persons conduct negatively impacts another, society must get involved. “Self” vs “other-regarding actions”.
P3 - Locke – Social contract – People agree to surrender some of the freedom they enjoyed in the state of nature and submit to a ruler who will protect their natural rights.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers have defined freedom. (2022)
P1- Classical liberal view – LOCKE – Humans have natural rights such as property rights and if a state legislates against these, freedom is restricted. Freedoms are only protected when the state is minimal as a big state is more able to oppress.
P2 – Modern Liberals – RAWLS - Modern capitalism as placing constraints on the freedom of individuals. The state should protect those who are vulnerable to inequality. His concept of the ”original position” and “veil of ignorance” …
P3 – “Feminist perspective” – WOLLSTONECRAFT – Freedom can only be achieved when men and women have equal rights. Thus, the state should consciously tackle discrimination and promote the social and economic advancement of females
