Liberalism

Question 1

What were the developments of Liberalism?

Answer 1

Political Liberalism - 17th-18th century, Economic Liberalism - 19th century, Social Liberalism - 20th century.

Question 2

What were the beliefs of Political Liberalism?

Answer 2

Individual rights, limited government, Rule of law.

Question 3

What were the beliefs of Economic Liberalism?

Answer 3

Free markets, supply and demand, invisible hand, economic freedom.

Question 4

What were the beliefs of Social Liberalism?

Answer 4

Welfare state, role of state, increased government intervention, social justice.

Question 5

What are the key principles held by all liberals?

Answer 5

Self interested rationalism, government by consent, individual rights, limited state, separation of powers.

Question 6

What is Self interested Rationalism?

Answer 6

Humans are essentially self seeking and self serving. Liberals hold the belief that mankind’s innate rationality helps them to avoid destructive selfishness.

Question 7

What is Government by Consent?

Answer 7

Reject the principle of Divine right of kings, claims the state is only legitimate if those who are governed have consented to it. Government should always be the servant, not master of the people.

Question 8

What are Individual rights, and why are they important to Liberals?

Answer 8

Individuals had natural rights enabling self realisation, self determination and individualism. It would only be rational to submit to the state if the state promoted and respected natural rights.

Question 9

Why do Liberals believe in a limited state, and separation of powers?

Answer 9

Means one part of government can’t have too much control over your life.

Question 10

What is Mill’s harm principle?

Answer 10

The only purpose for which power can rightfully be exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.

Question 11

What is an example of religion restrictions on freedom of speech?

Answer 11

Salaman Rushdies’ ‘The satanic verses’ was criticised by Muslim leaders for being too offensive. Copies of the book were burned in public. Rushdie went into hiding afterwards.

Question 12

What is an example of Politics restrictions on freedom of speech?

Answer 12

1980’s-90’s - There was a ban on broadcast interviews with IRA supporters, TV could only repeat their views, not show them.

Question 13

What are the problems with the harm principle?

Answer 13

Harm is vague as a concept. Risky behaviour by individuals could affect others indirectly, so can’t be directly applied. Modern societal issues are often as a result of the collective action of individuals.

Question 14

What did Mill divide human actions into?

Answer 14

Self regarding and other regarding.

Question 15

What are self regarding actions?

Answer 15

Actions which don’t infringe on others in society, should be tolerated.

Question 16

What are other regarding actions?

Answer 16

Actions that harm freedom of others shouldn’t be tolerated. Mill recognised the difference between opinions that offend, and actions which harm.

Question 17

What are the ideas of the social contract theory by John Locke, as a part of Political Liberalism?

Answer 17

State shouldn’t be monarchist, state should have rule of law, separation of powers, decentralisation of power, importance of individual rights. Natural rights such as tolerance.

Question 18

What does classic liberalism stress the importance of?

Answer 18

Negative freedom - people should be left to do as they choose, and any attempt to interfere with individual actions is an infringement.

Question 19

What did classic liberalism say about the state?

Answer 19

Locke - State is like a ‘night watchman.’ State should only intervene when necessary - and its’ powers should be restricted.

Question 20

What does classic liberalism say about freedom?

Answer 20

Smith - Individual freedom within the market means freedom of choice. Freedom means consumers can choose which goods and services they buy.

Question 21

What did Smith believe about the state?

Answer 21

It will always self correct.

Question 22

What did Adam Smith believe about the wealth of nations?

Answer 22

Every individual works as hard as they can to help their own security, but helping society is a bonus of this. This is reflected in individuality of liberalism, and the belief that people will act for their own good.

Question 23

What did Gladstone say about the State?

Answer 23

The government doing everything is negative, and doesn’t help people. Self reliance is a principle that people should carry with them. Government produces worse outcomes for individuals than they could do for themselves.

Question 24

Who was the main thinker of modern liberalism?

Answer 24

TH Green.

Question 25

What was Modern liberalism in response to?

Answer 25

The needs of a newly enfranchised class.

Question 26

What was Modern Liberalism's view of human nature?

Answer 26

More positive view, people are more responsive to a society they were immersed in.

Question 27

What did Modern Liberalism believe about the State?

Answer 27

It gives you the means to improve your life, so you have to improve it yourself.

Question 28

What did Modern Liberalism believe about the economy?

Answer 28

Conflict between laissez faire liberal principles. Collective action vs poor health, poverty, ignorance.

Question 29

What are the different developments of New Liberalism?

Answer 29

Origins of classic liberalism, response to industrial revolution, response to capitalism.

Question 30

What did New Liberalism focus on, as it originated from classic liberalism?

Answer 30

Prosperity and social progress, emphasising free markets.

Question 31

What did New Liberalism focus on, as a response to the Industrial revolution?

Answer 31

Had to respond to poor working conditions, child labour, concentration of wealth.

Question 32

What did New Liberalism focus on, as a response to capitalism?

Answer 32

TH Green said that the state should play an active role in promoting social justice, ensuring equal opportunity, providing welfare.

Question 33

What are the different elements of New Liberalism?

Answer 33

Positive freedom, state intervention, social justice.

Question 34

What is Positive Freedom?

Answer 34

Ability to achieve potential - would have the ability to be hindered by poverty.

Question 35

What is State intervention?

Answer 35

Argued that the government had a duty to regulate markets, provide welfare.

Question 36

What is Social Justice?

Answer 36

Addresses social inequality, labour rights, progressive taxes.

Question 37

What did John Rawls say about the state?

Answer 37

'Enabling state' allows redistribution of wealth - extensive public spending, progressive tax. The conditions of the poor should be improved by the state, and the gap between poorest and richest wouldn't necessarily be narrowed.

Question 38

What did Rawls say about Society?

Answer 38

Rational human beings choose a society where the poorest members fared better than in present society. We can achieve better in society through reducing inequality.

Question 39

What did Rawls say about Equality?

Answer 39

Not just formal equality under the law, but greater social and economic equality.

Question 40

How was Constitutional reform a factor of Modern Liberalism?

Answer 40

Positive liberty and an enabling state required universal suffrage. David Lloyd George oversaw the state of enfranchisement for women. Recently, Liberals haven't always supported direct democracy.

Question 41

How was social liberalism also a factor of Modern Liberalism?

Answer 41

Mid 20th century - Modern Liberalism was strongly linked to increased tolerance - greater racial and sexual toleration. Supportive of affirmative action.

Question 42

Which Socially liberal acts took place in the UK and the US?

Answer 42

USA - Equal employment opportunity commission, Roe v. wade. UK - Race relations act - 1965, 68, 76. Marriage act 2013.

Question 43

How do Liberals have a coherent view of the state?

Answer 43

Liberals believe in a constitutional state, made after rational discussion. Government by consent - state is a contract between government and governed. Reject any state where power is concentrated.

Question 44

How do Liberals not have a coherent view of the state?

Answer 44

Liberal state hasn't consistently upheld foundational equality, and was slow to adopt democracy, hasn't consistently upheld government by consent - allows wishes of a majority to be defied via checks and balances. Liberal state isn't consistently minimal in scope.

Question 45

What did Wollstonecraft believe about Society and the state?

Answer 45

They implied that women weren't rational - denying them individual freedom and formal equality.

Question 46

What did Wollstonecraft say about government by consent?

Answer 46

Women couldn't vote for who governed them - not true government by consent.

Question 47

What did Wollstonecraft say about individualism?

Answer 47

Fettering female individualism means limiting intelligence, wisdom and morality. Women were complicit in their subjugation, as they desired marriage and motherhood.

Question 48

What did Wollstonecraft say about Men?

Answer 48

Men control the perception of women, because they control society. A lack of education causes women to be seen as less.

Question 49

Which rights did Mill say should be given to women?

Answer 49

Right to vote, right to education, right to work/economic independence, right to control their own bodies, right to equal legal rights.

Question 50

Why did Mill say women should be given the right to vote?

Answer 50

Denying women the vote was a form of social injustice. Women possess the capacity for rational thought.

Question 51

Why did Mill say women should be given the right to education?

Answer 51

Women should have access to the same education as men - enable them to develop their intellectual abilities. Women's education shouldn't be limited to domestic skills.

Question 52

Why did Mill say women should be given the right to work?

Answer 52

Ability to choose a career, equal pay for equal work. Women's participation in the workforce helps dismantle the patriarchal system, limiting women's autonomy.

Question 53

Why did Mill say women should be given the right to control their own bodies?

Answer 53

Women should have the right to enter into marriage freely, and have the ability to dissolve it if they choose.

Question 54

Why did Mill say women should be given the right to equal legal rights?

Answer 54

Legal reforms which grant women the same rights as men in all spheres, including property rights.

Question 55

Why did Mill say more rights should be given to women in general?

Answer 55

Principle of equality, harm of patriarchy, importance of liberty, maximising happiness - utility. Development of women's potential. Critique of traditional gender roles.

Question 56

What did Betty Freidan believe about women's experiences after WWII?

Answer 56

WWII saw women return to their traditional roles - regression in economic and social life.

Question 57

What % of American women went to university in 1920, compared to 1950?

Answer 57

1920 - 47%. 1950 - 35%.

Question 58

What was the average marriage age of women in 1920, compared to 1950?

Answer 58

1920 - 21. 1950 - 20.

Question 59

What did Betty Friedan believe about education and culture?

Answer 59

Education leads to self actualisation, so women can find out more about themselves. Women are told through culture, that their primary role is to be a housewife, and that their lives are perfect as they are.

Question 60

What were the other views of Betty Friedan?

Answer 60

Legal equality means equal pay, maternity leave, and access to contraception, and the state should provide these things. Education means women can improve themselves.