Liberalism

Question 1

Who are the Classical Liberals?

Answer 1

Locke, Wollstonecraft and Mill

Question 2

Who are the Modern Liberals?

Answer 2

Rawls and Friedan

Question 3

Which government does Locke outline?

Answer 3

Government by consent and constitutionalism: limited government, codification and the separation of powers

Question 4

What does Locke say about natural rights?

Answer 4

They are entitlements: life, liberty and property

Question 5

What does Locke mean by rule of law?

Answer 5

Only the state and civil society can safeguard natural rights, and these are equitably applied to all citizens

Question 6

What does Locke think on property rights?

Answer 6

Should protect property rights

Question 7

How does Locke justify the origin of unequal possessions?

Answer 7

He argues that the labourer benefits in an economic system involving inequality

Question 8

Which societal hierarchy is Locke critical of?

Answer 8

The ‘divine right of kings’

Question 9

Locke exclusively applies toleration to whom?

Answer 9

Religion and Protestants

Question 10

What is Locke’s ‘Social contract theory’?

Answer 10

Individuals voluntarily surrender certain rights and freedoms in exchange for the protection and benefits of living in a society governed by laws

Question 11

How does Locke argue human nature is rational?

Answer 11

Men are inquisitive and understand the world through experience

Question 12

Why did Locke argue people would still cooperate in the state of nature?

Answer 12

Still ‘governed’ by natural rights

Question 13

What does Wollstonecraft argue women should have, regarding the state?

Answer 13

Formal equality and freedom from discrimination: free from the constraints of patriarchy

Question 14

What does Wollstonecraft say about rights and gender?

Answer 14

Women are entitled to the same rights as men

Question 15

What does Wollstonecraft argue is essential for cultural and economic progress?

Answer 15

Freedom

Question 16

Which type of equality in society does Wollstonecraft outline?

Answer 16

Foundational equality, as ‘Virtue can only flourish among equals’

Question 17

What does Wollstonecraft say women must not passively accept?

Answer 17

Cultural gender roles and attitudes

Question 18

Which societal hierarchy is Wollstonecraft critical of?

Answer 18

The Divine Right of Kings and ‘husbands’

Question 19

Wollstonecraft believed in which form of social progress?

Answer 19

The betterment of women’s status, to benefit society as a whole

Question 20

Did Wollstonecraft value marriage?

Answer 20

Yes, as an institution: a partnership of equals

Question 21

How did Wollstonecraft view human nature?

Answer 21

Individualism and Rationalism: women are independent beings, capable of reason

Question 22

Did Wollstonecraft have a positive or negative view of human nature?

Answer 22

Positive view

Question 23

What is Mill’s Harm principle?

Answer 23

Says the only justification for state limitations to liberty is to prevent harm to others (other-regarding actions)

Question 24

Mill believed the state should act in which ways?

Answer 24

Accountability and transparency (Freedom of Information Act)

Question 25

Did Mill support negative or positive liberty?

Answer 25

Negative liberty

Question 26

What did Mill argue regarding self-regarding actions and why?

Answer 26

Individual choice and experimentation (self-regarding actions), as the individual is sovereign

Question 27

Did Mill support Capitalism and the free market?

Answer 27

Supported a free market economy and laissez-faire

Question 28

What did Mill say the merits of negative liberty should also apply to?

Answer 28

The exchange of goods, services and labour | To promote rationalism, choice, agency and utility

Question 29

Which tax is Mill in favour of?

Answer 29

Income taxed at a single rate (‘flat tax’) and inheritance tax

Question 30

Which philosophical strand does Mill follow?

Answer 30

Utilitarianism

Question 31

What is Mill’s ‘infallibility argument’?

Answer 31

Partial truths- free speech is essential because we can never be sure our beliefs are completely true

Question 32

What does Mill believe society should be characterised by?

Answer 32

Choice, consent, toleration, freedom of thought and expression and complete equality of men and women

Question 33

Which major problem does Mill have with current society?

Answer 33

Tyranny of the majority, vulnerability of minorities

Question 34

What are Mill’s fundamental beliefs of human nature?

Answer 34

Rationalism and Individuality: individuals know what they want and what is in their interest

Question 35

How does Mill believe humans can progress?

Answer 35

Progress by free speech

Question 36

Which sort of justice did Rawls want in the state?

Answer 36

Justice beyond mere formal equality

Question 37

Which of Locke’s concepts did Rawls agree with?

Answer 37

Social contract theory

Question 38

What is Rawls’ 1st principle of justice?

Answer 38

The liberty of the individual must be maximised, save harming others

Question 39

How did Rawls argue the redistribution of wealth should be done?

Answer 39

Via an enabling state

Question 40

What is Rawls’ 2nd principle of justice?

Answer 40

The most economically and materially disadvantaged members of society are provided for as best as possible

Question 41

How did Rawls feel about Communism and Capitalism?

Answer 41

Rejected extremes of communism or unregulated capitalism

Question 42

Which democracy does Rawls favour?

Answer 42

Favoured a ‘property-owning democracy’

Question 43

What is Rawls’ idea of distributive justice?

Answer 43

States institutions must be driven by justice

Question 44

What is Rawls’ difference principle in society?

Answer 44

Inequality is justified with genuine equality of opportunity

Question 45

What does Rawls say on the original position and the veil of ignorance?

Answer 45

That, rationally, one would create a society whereby the least fortunate are provided with adequate means of happiness, as it could be them.

Question 46

Which type of equality does Rawls highlight?

Answer 46

Foundational equality

Question 47

Describe Rawls’ view of human nature.

Answer 47

Rational and empathetic

Question 48

What do individuals need in life to feel complete, according to Rawls?

Answer 48

Individual self-fulfilment

Question 49

Why does Friedan outline equality of opportunity?

Answer 49

As education is central to emancipation and genuine equality

Question 50

What is Friedan’s interpretation of legal equality?

Answer 50

Women are as capable as men, oppressive laws and social views must be overturned

Question 51

Why does Friedan say there isn’t equality of opportunity in the job market?

Answer 51

Because women are being held back from their potential due to the limited number of jobs that are deemed ‘acceptable’ for women

Question 52

What does Friedan say are the causes of inequality, more so than the state?

Answer 52

Cultural, social and religious attitudes are the cause of inequality, more so than the state

Question 53

In which area of society does Friedan highlight the need for equality of opportunity?

Answer 53

Equal opportunity in education

Question 54

Which two aspects are fundamental to Friedan’s interpretation of human nature?

Answer 54

Individual freedom and self-realisation

Question 55

What does Friedan say led women to become wives and homemakers, rather than biology?

Answer 55

Conditioning rather than biology