liberalism Flashcards
(33 cards)
1
Q
what is classical liberalism?
A
- Emphasises negative freedom, where individuals are free from external constraints as long as they do not harm others
- advocate for a minimal state that protects life, liberty and property
- Supports laissez-faire capitalism and minimal government interference in the economy
2
Q
who are the key thinkers for classical liberalism
A
- John Locke
- Early John Stuart Mill
- Mary Wollstonecraft
3
Q
What is modern liberalism
A
- Focuses on positive freedom: the ability of individuals to realise their full potential
- Believes the state should have an enabling role, removing barriers (social, economic) through public services, welfare, and education.
- Supports a mixed economy: capitalism with state regulation to promote fairness.
4
Q
Who are the key thinkers for Modern Liberalism?
A
- John Rawls
- Thomas Hill Green
- LATER John Stuart mill
- Betty Freidan
5
Q
What are the core principles of liberalism?
A
- Individualism: Society should prioritise and protect the rights of individuals.
- Freedom: Individuals should be free to act as they choose, limited only by the harm principle.
- Rationalism: Humans are capable of reason and self-improvement.
- Limited Government
- respect for diversity
6
Q
What was John Locke’s view on human nature
A
- Humans are rational, self-interested, but also capable of cooperation.
- People are born free and equal, possessing natural rights.
- Believed in a social contract where some freedoms are given up to protect others.
7
Q
What are natural rights?
A
- Life: the right to live and not be harmed by others
- liberty: the right to make choices about one’s life
- property: the right to own and gain possessions through labour
8
Q
What was John Locke’s view of society
A
- society precedes the state
- The state’s role is to protect freedoms and natural rights that already exist.
9
Q
What was Locke’s social contract?
A
- In the state of nature, individuals are free but lack security.
- The social contract is a mutual agreement to form a government to protect natural rights.
- If the government fails in this role, citizens have a right to rebel.
10
Q
How did Locke view the economy?
A
- supported free markets, private property and minimal state interference
- property rights were key to liberty
- the state should settle disputes fairly rather than intervene in trade
11
Q
What was John Locke’s view on the state?
A
- should be representative and govern by consent
- rejected absolute monarchy, advocating for constitutional monarchy
- if the state fails to protect rights of the property, the people have a right to rebel
12
Q
Who was John Stuart Mill?
A
- liberal key thinker focused on harm principle, free will and utilitarianism
- provided the bridge between classic and modern by developing early liberal thinking on freedom
- toleration and representative democracy
13
Q
How did Mill view human nature?
A
- humans are rational but always evolving and improving
- education and freedom of speech helps individuals reach higher levels of development
14
Q
What was Mill’s view on society
A
- the best society is one where ‘individuality’ co-exists with tolerance and self-betterment
- individuality: individuals should be free to live their life provided they don’t harm
- tolerance: society should tolerate diversity of opinions and ways of life, respect freedom of others
- self-betterment: individuals should strive to improve themselves, both intellectually and morally
15
Q
How did Mill view the economy?
A
- Laissez fair capitalism was vital to ensure progress in the economy
- allow individuals to reach their full potential
16
Q
What was Mill’s view on the state
A
- approved of democracy
- But citizens need a certain level of education to be able to vote
17
Q
Who was Mary Wollstonecraft?
A
- classical feminist liberal
- advocated for gender equality
- welcomed the American Revolution 1775 and the French Revolution 1789 as they did not protect rights
18
Q
What was Wollstonecraft’s view in human nature?
A
- men and women have equal capacity
- patriarchy has suppressed women’s development but with education they can be equal
19
Q
What was Wollstonecraft’s view on society?
A
- society was losing out by preventing women from fulfilling their potential
- society ‘infantilises’ women and prevents female individualism
- education is key to allowing women to become independent and equal
20
Q
What was Wollstonecraft’s view on the state?
A
- the state should be a republic which guarantees equal rights for men and women
- government should ensure equal access to education for men and women
21
Q
How did Wollstonecraft view the economy?
A
- the economy would benefit from the contributions of liberated women
- preventing women from participating limits overall progress
22
Q
Who was John Rawls
A
- modern liberal
- Wrote ‘Theory of Justice 1971’ which argues the gov should aim to achieve liberty for all
- the role of liberalism is too create social conditions where all people can succeed and live the live they choose to
23
Q
What was Rawls view on human nature
A
- human’s are empathetic
- humans are also self-interested but also concerned about the welfare of those around them
24
Q
What Was Rawls view on the state?
A
- state intervention is necessary to create equality of opportunity
- the state should enable real equality through public spending
25
What was John Rawls view on society?
- a society is one where inequalities benefit the poorest
- proposed the veil of ignorance to create fair principles
26
what was the veil of ignorance?
- prevents individuals from knowing who they are and what they may become
- if individuals had to choose a society from behind this 'veil' they would choose a fairer, more equal society
27
How did Rawls view the economy?
- free-market capitalism should also have state intervention to ensure the poorer citizens have equal opportunity
28
Who was Thomas Hill Green?
- emphasised the difference between positive freedom and negative freedom
- the state should enable and protect individuals to allow for equal opportunities
- But the state should only intervene when there is a clear sighting of liberties being infringed e.g. slavery
29
What was T.H Green's view on human nature?
- humans are rational but are influenced by social and economic issues
- many living in poverty were unable to fulfil their potential to due constraints
30
What was T.H Green's view on the state?
- state should remove social and economic obstacles to allow for people to fulfil their potential
- promoted positive freedom (ability to act on one's free will and control one's own life)
31
What was T.H. Green's view on society?
- emphasised the importance of equality of opportunity
- enabling state was necessary to improve health, education and living conditions of the poor to allow for them to reach their full potential
32
What was T.H Green's view on the economy?
- a free market is the most important to allow for individual success
- but there must be some gov intervention to improve the condition of the poor within the capitalist structure
33
What are the different tensions within liberalism in regard to human nature?
- classical liberals see the qualities as natural for individuals and that individuals develop best
- modern liberals build on JSM's view that rationalism needs to be developed
