Liberalism Flashcards
What did Thomas Hobbes believe?
He was concerned with the problem of social and political order
His goal was the security of the collective which could be achieved only at the expense of individual security
People beed order and peace to flourish. The government needs to force people or be strong to make them behave. If the government can’t create peace, people should remove them
What did John Locke believe?
He deeply opposed the authoritarianism of the church and the state, and believed that individuals had the right to use reason and logic to make their own decisions
People are fundamentally reasonable and respectful of others, and need to have people’s respect. Consent of the governed must be held. Gov’t must secure the people’s right, otherwise they can be overthrown.
What did Montesquieu believe?
Believed in the worth of the individual, the equality of individuals and the accountability of the government
Each citizen had to participate in and be aware of the law and the workings of the government
What did John Stuart Mill believe?
Interested in the protection of individual freedom and the promotion of individual decision
The only limitations that should be placed on an individual were those that would protect the liberty of others
What is Laissez-Faire economics?
Reduction of government involvement in the economy
Individuals need to be given freedom to make their own decisions
Individuals selfishness and competitiveness will inadvertently improve their own societies
What did Adam Smith believe?
Believed that if people worked for themselves everyone (including the state) would be better off
His work provided the foundation of the capitalist system and his ideals became the basis of lassiez-fairs capitalism
What is Luddism?
A protest movement of the early 1800s against industrialization and mechanization
Protesters broke into factories and destroyed machines
What is Chartism?
A working-class movement in Britain that focused on political and social reform in the 1800s
What is Socialism?
Any ideology that contains the belief that resources should be controlled by the public for the benefit of everyone in society, and not by private interests for the benefit of private owners and investors
What do Utopian Socialists believe?
Humanitarians who advocated an end to the appalling conditions of the average worker in the industrial capitalist countries of the 19th century
People who believed it was possible to work to bring about a better world that obvious evils can be eradicated
What is Communism/Marxism?
A system of society with each member working for the common benefit according to their capacity and receiving according to their needs
What is Classical Conservatism?
An ideology that says government should represent the legacy of the past as well as the well-being of the present
That society should be structured in a hierarchical fashion
That government should be chosen by a limited electorate
That leaders should be humanitarian
Stability of society is all important
What is Welfare Capitalism?
A state in which the economy is capitalist, but the government uses policies that modify the market forces in order to ensure economic stability and a basic standard of living for its citizens
What is Keynesian Economics?
In order to lessen the severity of a recession, governments should spend money and reduce taxes, thereby leaving more money in people’s pockets to spend on the economy
During inflationary (“boom”) periods, governments should spend less money and increase taxes thereby leaving less money in people’s pockets, and less spending will soften the “boom”
What are Labour Standards?
Government-enforced rules and standards aimed at safe, clean, working environments, and the protection of workers rights to free association, collective bargaining, and freedom from discrimination
