Liberalism - Core Ideas and Principles Flashcards
(44 cards)
According to the UN, how many states are considered Liberal Democracies?
2/3 of all countries
How did Liberalism develop?
Reaction to elitist monarchies and aristocratic privilege
What class of views did liberalism originally represent?
Educated middle classes who sought greater civil liberties
What is the core principle of liberalism according to enlightenment thinkers?
People should be free to make their own decisions and to make the most of their talents and opportunities
What is the social contract theory?
Government is based on a contract between the citizen and the state.
Citizen agrees to give up a limited part of their freedom in return for protection and security through the law
What is the mechanistic theory?
Opposition to the Organic Society
State is an artificial creation devised by man to protect individual freedoms
According to liberals who is most important in society?
The Individual, who should always be at the centre of political thought
What did enlightenment thinker Immanuel Kant argue about individuals?
All are unique and have equal worth; should always be used as ends and never as means - people should not be used as instruments
What impact does the liberal view on individualism have on their views on the state?
The believe in a limited state to protect the interests of the individual
What is Foundation Equality?
Every person is born equal - challenges conservative view of a natural hierarchy
What is the liberal view on Human Nature?
People are rational - individuals are capable of making their own moral judgements
How do liberals believe Human Nature will lead to peace
Rationality allows us to understand that reason should be used to resolve conflict rather than force.
What is Egoistical Individualism?
Classical Liberal belief - People are egotistical and self-seeking and will put themselves before others
What is Developmental Individualism?
True freedom is the ability to achieve goals - we must all be free to reach our potential - Modern Liberalism
True or False:
Liberals have a fundamental belief in tolerance which extends from religious beliefs to sexual orientation?
True
What do Liberals believe regarding freedom?
Must be exercised under the law in order to protect interference with other peoples rights
What did thinkers such as Jeremy Bentham argue regarding freedom and liberty?
Govt should not prevent people from doing what they choose unless it would threaten another’s ability to do it themselves
What are the 2 different views on freedom within Liberalism?
Negative Freedom - Classical Liberals - (Stuart Mill) - Absence of restraint from govt
Positive Freedom - Modern Liberals - Govt should take steps to ensure people can fulfil their goals
What is Mill’s Harm Principle?
There should be no intervention in a persons activities unless it would cause harm to another
How do many liberals see the state?
A necessary evil
Why do Liberals dislike the state?
Believe that those in power may use the power to further their own interests at others expense
Why do Liberals want a limited government?
They see the state as a threat to individual freedons
Why do Liberals not believe in anarchism?
They believe the state is required to prevent unsafe and lawless conditions
How to liberals propose to restrict the power of the govt and give an example?
Through codified constitutions, for example the checks and balances in the US constitution
