Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

A2 POLITICS > Liberalism > Flashcards

Liberalism Flashcards

(89 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Is liberalism a fixed term?

A

Fawcett 2014- Not a brand’
Not a dogma- 1 solution to a problem
More a state of mind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a success for liberalism?

A

All mainstream parties in modern democracies have liberal values as part of their core identity. Conservative and socialist parties have come to accept many key liberal beliefs. Liberalism has seeped into the social and political culture of all economically developed countries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

History of liberalism?

A

In western society
Breakdown of feudal system
Loss of belief in divine right of ruling class
Industrial revolution- expanded middle class
Emerging representative democracy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

History of liberalism in other countries-

A

American independence 1776- from Britain
1789- French Revolution
Freedom, equality, brotherhood or death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What was the period to make the movement to liberalism possible?

A

The enlightenment period - 18th century

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Significant new assertions made during the enlightenment period?

A

Each person is a free, rational individual.
Individuals are the best judge of their own interests.
Individuals possess free will.
Society does not have a determined fixed other, individuals are free to find their own place in society.
We are born equally and inherit equal rights.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Enlightenment thinkers

A 
John Locke (1689) 
Rousseau (1962) 
Thomas Jefferson (1776)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What did Locke say?

A 
John Locke (1689) 
'Man should not be governed without his consent'
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What did Rosseau say

A

Rousseau 1962

‘Man is born free, but everywhere is in chains’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What idea does Lock reject?

A

Any form of government established without the expressed consent of the people.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What two things did Jefferson say?

A

‘All men are created equal’

‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How did liberalism increase during the industrial revolution?

A

Steam train invention- spread of ideas

Created middle class- unrbanisation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the core themes of liberalism?

A 
Individualism 
Freedom
Limited government  
Reason 
Toleration  
Pluralism 
Government by consent
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What was the main cause of individualism?

A

Collapse of feudalism- people no longer had a fixed position in society
Increase in fluidity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What do liberals believe about the importance of individuals?

A

The individual is more important than any collective body

Change is made through the individual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What term do liberals use to describe society?

A

Atomistic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is an atomistic society?

A

Self interested individuals acting self sufficiently to better their own self circumstances.
Sum of parts above the whole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How would Classical liberals describe individuals?

A

Egotistical

Emphasis on self interest and reliance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How do classical liberals believe individualism is achieved?

A

Through limited government and freedom

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How would modern liberals describe individuals?

A

Developmental

Human improvement is key

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

How do modern liberals believe believe individuals should be achieved?

A

By an enabling society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are common aims of both liberals in terms of individuals?

A

Society where all members can flourish

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the liberties and freedoms we can enjoy?

A

Ability to behave and think as one wishes
Choice of life decisions
Freedom to elect ones leader

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Why do liberals believe freedom is so important?

A

If an individual is free they can flourish to their full potential

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is a key theme of liberal freedom?
Utilitarianism
26
What is utilitarianism?
the doctrine that an action is right if it promotes happiness
27
Key thinker for utilitarianism?
Jeremy Bentham
28
What does Jeremy Bentham believe?
Life is about pleasure for the individual
29
Why should the government not tell us what to do?
Only individuals can know their self interest | People can't know what they enjoy until they've tried it- free to experiment- e.g drugs
30
How does JS mills disagree with Bentham?
Not all about seeking satisfaction Some pleasures are pleasures of the swine Higher pleasures Lower pleasures It is ok for Govt to encourage higher pleasures
31
What is JS Mills quote on lower pleasures?
"Better to be Socrates dissatisfied, than a pig satisfied"
32
How is utilitarianism seen in America?
"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness" Thomas Jefferson Basis of the U.S. constitution
33
How do Lib Dems encourage higher pleasures?
``` Focus on education Reducing primary school class sizes to 15 Abandonment of tuition fees- 2010 ```
34
Who came up with the term negative freedom?
``` Isaiah Berlin (1957) Believed that human existence must remain independent and free of social control ```
35
Meaning of negative freedom
Freedom from People should be left alone to behave as they choose Lacks any external restrictions or constraints
36
Describe positive freedom?
Society should be created to achieve self fulfilment and enable society to become a better place. In order for people to be free they must make the most of their gifts and talents
37
Where did positive freedom stem from?
Roots from TH Green (1836-82) Believes that circumstances that prevent achieving an individual's potential should be solved by the state- social justice
38
Relationship between freedoms and types of liberals?
Positive freedom- Progressive Negative freedom- Classical
39
What did Fawcett say on Negetive freedom?
"Any supposed negative freedom could be described as positive and vice versa"
40
When does JS Mills believe is the only time the government should intervene on Liberty?
If your actions have a Negetive impact on someone else's well being eg- Theft
41
What actions are no business of the government? why?
Self regarding actions Smoking drinking sex | People should be free to make mistakes to learn from them
42
Why do liberals believe in limited government?
Tyranny of the majority | Suspicious of state power- may lead to arbitrary power- power corrupts
43
What is the solution to limit government?
``` A constitution Which: Limits government power Defines rights of all citizens Citizens must have control of any amendments ```
44
What idea to liberals reject?
Paternalism
45
Why do liberals believe in reason?
Following the enlightenment period
46
Why do people behave rationally?
In their own self interest | Learn from previous mistakes
47
Why do liberals reject tradition?
See tradition as something to be freed from in order to advance
48
Why is debate inevitable?
People are rational not perfect People are self centred and egocentric Conflict is therefore inevitable
49
What is the only solution to conflict?
Debate and negotiation
50
Why do liberals believe debate is so important?
If you are right- you're argument has been strengthened by debate If you're wrong you now know the right answer
51
Liberal view on war?
Last resort and ultimate failure following debate
52
When are the only times war is condoned by liberals?
Self defence | Countering oppression
53
What is the lib dem policy to show reason?
Critique of UK "yah boo" politics - David Owen Nick Clegg spoke of scrapping PMQ's Opposed Iraq war- Sought for negotiation
54
Which two types of justice are there?
Legal and Social
55
What are the key themes a liberal believes in legal justice?
Right to a fair trial Right to a legal representative Independence of the judiciary
56
Lib dem policy regarding legal justice?
Opposed 90 days and On the spot fines Opposed "legal aid" cuts Opposed "guideline sentencing" - minimum 2 years for knife carrying
57
What is social justice?
Giving each person what the are due Based on equality Social factors should not effect how well you do Equal chance to be successful
58
Liberal policies regarding social justice?
Beverage reforms Education policies- class size, scrap tuition fees Mansion tax New Labour - focus on socially excluded
59
Who spoke about religious toleration?
John Locke
60
Voltaire's quote?
"I detest what you say, but will defend to death your right to say it"
61
Policies regarding toleration?
Abolition of section 28? | Legalisation of gay marriage
62
"We're all liberals now" for points?
Beverage and Keynes Thatcher- neo liberalism Cameron
63
We're all liberals now against?
2016- rise of populism Brexit Donald Trump Blair- law and order Tory- education policies Uni 9000, abolish student grants, grammar schools
64
How has positive freedom been historically shown in policy?
Asquith govt introduces primary education for all | Lloyd George extends education
65
Friedman quote?
"The government solution to a problem is usable as bad as the problem itself"
66
What does Hayek say on the government and the economy?
Intervention will eventually lead to us all becoming slaves of the government
67
Cobden quote
Look not to Parliament, look only to yourselves
68
Sumner quote?
The drunkard in the gutter is just where he ought to be
69
Who created the workhouse?
Edwin Chadwick
70
Sammuel Smiles
Self help (1859)
71
Policy of safety net welfare?
``` Workhouse Benefit policy changes Hands up not hands out More benefit sanctions Bedroom tax Universal benefit- coalition ```
72
Thatcher quote on the market?
Is a more powerful and more reliable liberating force that government can ever be
73
Paddy Ashdown
``` Many issues left to Blair Higher top rates of tax More govt spending Blair considered offering Ashdown a position on cabinet Liberals most successful under Ashdown ```
74
Clegg is progressive
``` Scrap tuition fees FSM for all Primary Gay marriage Electoral reform Lords reform ```
75
Clegg is classical?
Orange bookers- Vince cable - pro market Privatisation of Royal Mail- step to far for Thatcher Stricter welfare Budget cuts- EMA, Sure Start, Pregnancy grant
76
Similarities between classical liberalism and new right?
Suspicion of state Free market economics Dislike of welfare
77
Differences between classical liberals and the new right?
Patriotism and war Human rights Toleration
78
Portillo quote?
We know what is right and what is wrong
79
Clegg quote on human rights
Recent governments have belittled and trashed human rights laws
80
New right position of human rights?
Law and order is above human rights
81
Liberals are small in social sphere?
``` Pluralism E.g.- elected HOL Pro EU Toleration Gay marriage Opposed section 28 and snoopers charter Tim Farron pledge- end imprisonment for drugs ```
82
Liberals are large is social sphere?
``` Beverage Positive freedom - TH green State provides social justice Clegg- We all love the NHS Pupil premium and free school meals Farron- reinstate grants ```
83
Clegg quote on green issues?
It's not green crap, to us it's important
84
Liberals are small in the economic sphere?
Orange bookers Clegg and Cable Call for greater marketisation and Laisez fair approach Privatisation of the Royal Mail
85
Liberals are large in the economic sphere?
``` Keynesian- interventionist Post 2008- support bank bailouts Support of fiscal policy Advocate legislation on bankers bonuses Clegg- mansion tax Farron- 1% increase on income tax 200% council tax on second homes ```
86
Liberal influence on other parties?
``` Influence on thatcher- economics Influence on Cameron- gay marriage Influence on Wilson Influence on Attlee Influence on Blair ```
87
Liberals do not influence Conservatives?
``` Euroskeptism Anti trade union Undermining LEA- free schools and academies Section 28 Opposed electoral and lords reform ```
88
Liberals do not influence the Labour Party?
``` Law and order Invasion of Iraq Tonies Cronies Corbyn pulled left- common ownership Milliban- capping unilities Anti free market ```
89
Other threats to liberalism?
Right wing populism Le Penn- not religious tolerant- ban burqa- got 1/3 of vote Trump- Protectionist Anti pluralistic- firing FBI director Brexit- anti pluralistic and anti immigration

A2 POLITICS (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions