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liberalism Flashcards

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1
Q

what are the core themes of liberalism

A

individualism, freedom, the state, rationalism, equality and social justice, liberal democracy

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2
Q

what are the main types of liberalism

A

classical and modern

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3
Q

tensions within liberalism

A

classical and modern, regarding the role of the state, freedom, and equality

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4
Q

key liberal thinkers

A

John Locke, J. S. Mill, Mary Wollstonecraft, John Rawls, Betty Friedan

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5
Q

liberal view of the individual

A

individuals are unique and important; society should serve individual rights and needs. classical liberals stress egotistical individualism, while modern liberals support developmental individualism

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6
Q

atomism in liberal thought

A

the idea that society is just a collection of self interested individuals

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7
Q

egotistical individualism

A

the belief that individuals act in their own interests and are self-reliant

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8
Q

developmental individualism

A

the belief that individuals flourish best when they can develop their potential, often with some state support

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9
Q

liberal view of freedom

A

freedom is central but must not harm others. incl. both negative and positive freedom

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10
Q

negative freedom

A

absence of external constraints - favoured by classical liberals

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11
Q

positive freedom

A

freedom to develop and self-actualise - favoured by modern liberals

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12
Q

‘self-regarding’ vs ‘other-regarding’ acts according to Mill

A

self-regarding acts affect only the individual and should not be restricted; other-regarding acts may be restricted if they harm others

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13
Q

rationalism in liberalism

A

the belief that humans are rational and can resolve conflicts through debate and logic rather than violence

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14
Q

why do liberals think war is irrational

A

because rational individuals prefer discussion to conflict; war is a last resort when reason fails

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15
Q

foundational equality

A

the idea that all humans are born with equal moral worth

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16
Q

formal equality

A

all individuals should be treated equally under the law and have equal political rights

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17
Q

equality of opportunity

A

everyone should have the same chance to succeed, but not guaranteed equal outcomes

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18
Q

liberal position on equality of outcome

A

liberals reject equality of outcome, believing it undermines meritocracy

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19
Q

meritocracy

A

a system where social position and rewards reflect individual talent and effort

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20
Q

Rawls’ veil of ignorance

A

a thought experiment where individuals design society without knowing their own social position, to ensure fairness

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21
Q

Rawls’ difference principle

A

inequality is acceptable only if it benefits the least advantaged

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22
Q

why is Rawls considered a liberal

A

he supports individual liberty and equal opportunities but within a framework that ensures fairness

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23
Q

toleration in liberalism

A

the belief in respecting others’ moral or religious views; essential for a free society

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24
Q

why did Mill support a ‘free market of ideas’

A

to test and improve beliefs through open debate, even unpopular ones

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25
liberal view of the state
necessary to protect liberty but must be limited, neutral, and based on consent
26
social contract in liberal theory
people consent to give up some freedom in exchange for protection by the state
27
what did Locke believe about the state
it should protect life, liberty, and property and act with the consent of the governed
28
night watchman state
a minimal state that protects individual liberty and property but does little else
29
why do liberals support constitutional government
to limit state power and prevent tyranny through checks and balances
30
what is a liberal democracy
a political system combining free elections, civil liberties, and checks on power
31
Why did Mill distrust democracy
he feared uneducated voters would vote selfishly and supported plural voting
32
classical liberalism
a 19th century tradition focusing on negative freedom, egotistical individualism and a minimal state
33
natural rights
rights to life, liberty and property believed to be inherent to all humans
34
utilitarianism
the belief that the best action maximises happiness for the greatest number
35
economic liberalism
free markets and minimal state intervention, based on Adam Smith's 'invisible hand'
36
social Darwinism
the belief that only the strong succeed, and the state should not support the weak
37
neoliberalism
a revival of classical liberal economics, promoting deregulation and free markets
38
how does the invisible hand regulate the economy
through supply and demand, without the need for government intervention
39
how is the invisible hand consistent with classical liberalism
it supports negative freedom, minimal state, and social Darwinism
40
modern liberalism
a response to industrial-era inequality, emphasising positive freedom and state intervention
41
how does Mill bridge classical and modern liberalism
he supports personal liberty but also values self-development and education
42
what does TH Green say about negative freedom
that it allowed exploitation and didn't help the disadvantaged
43
social liberalism
modern liberal belief in welfare rights to ensure equality of opportunity
44
five giants
want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness - targets of the welfare state
45
Keynesianism
the belief that the government should manage the economy through spending and taxation to avoid recession
46
how does Keynesianism reflect modern liberalism
it supports positive freedom and social justice by enabling the state to correct inequalities
47
what has challenged liberalism in the 21st century
economic crises, religious fundamentalism, postmodernist critiques of reason
48
tensions between classical and modern liberalism on human nature
classical liberals see individuals as self-interested; modern liberals see them as capable of altruism and cooperation
49
Locke's view on human nature
humans are guided by self-interest but are concerned for others
50
Locke's view on the state
the state should only govern by consent
51
Locke's view on society
natural laws and natural rights of society predate the state
52
Locke's view on the economy
private property is a natural right and the state's role is merely to arbitrate between individuals competing for trade and resources
53
Wollstonecraft's view on human nature
both men and women are capable of rational thought
54
Wollstonecraft's view on the state
monarchical states should be replaced by republican states that entrench women's rights
55
Wollstonecraft's view on society
society infantilised women and inhibited female individualism
56
Wollstonecraft's view on the economy
liberated women woul thrive in and enhance the free-market economy
57
Mill's view on human nature
human nature is rational but not fixed and is capable of progressing to higher levels
58
Mill's view on the state
the state should be a representative democracy and be mindful of minority rights
59
Mill's view on society
individuality should coexist with tolerance and self-improvement
60
Mill's view on the economy
laissez-faire capitalism promotes both individual initiative and progress
61
Rawls' view on human nature
humans can be selfish and value individual freedom. however, they are sympathetic to those less fortunate than them
62
Rawls' view on the state
an enabling state will assist developmental individualism via public spending on services
63
Rawls' view on society
his rationalistic 'veil of ignorance' argued that individuals would choose a society that offered opportunities for the less fortunate to improve their condition
64
Rawls' view on the economy
the state's obligation to disadvantaged citizens would temper free-market capitalism
65
Friedan's view on human nature
culture has evolved so that human nature is patriarchal and discriminatory towards women
66
Friedan's view on the state
the state should intervene in the public sphere to prevent discrimination against women
67
Friedan's view on society
society is patriarchal and needs reforming
68
Friedan's view on the economy
liberated women would thrive in and enhance the free-market economy. legislation must prevent women being discriminated against in the workplace

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