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Liberalism Core Themes Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the natural rights each human being is endowed with?

A

The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of self-fulfillment

These rights emphasize the uniqueness and individuality of each person.

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2
Q

What drives human beings according to egotistical individualism?

A

Self-realisation, self-determination, self-fulfilment

These concepts highlight the individual pursuit of one’s true self and potential.

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3
Q

What happens when self-realisation is denied to individuals?

A

They are left with a sense of a wasted life

This reflects the importance of achieving personal goals and rights.

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4
Q

How do Locke and Mill describe human behavior?

A

Egotistical but also rational and respectful of others

This suggests a balance between self-interest and social consideration.

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5
Q

Why should individuals be given the widest possible freedom?

A

Because they are guided by reason and logic rather than emotion and impulse

Rationality helps in recognizing the disadvantages of selfishness.

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6
Q

What may happen if individuals do not respect others in their pursuit of self-realisation?

A

They may not be respected in return, leading to frustration

This highlights the importance of mutual respect in social interactions.

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7
Q

How do liberals view human nature?

A

Fundamentally self-centred, but also thoughtful and empathetic

This duality reflects a complex understanding of human motivations.

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8
Q

What is the concept of developmental individualism?

A

Human nature is constantly progressing and developing through greater knowledge

This idea emphasizes continuous personal and societal growth.

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9
Q

Who argued that liberal views about human nature could be applied to women?

A

Wollstonecraft and later Mill

This was a significant step towards gender equality in liberal thought.

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10
Q

What is the liberal perspective on human nature in relation to optimism?

A

Liberals are optimistic about human nature, opposing the belief of Original Sin

This optimism emerged from Enlightenment thinking.

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11
Q

What do liberals believe can help solve problems that arise?

A

Rational discussion and informed debate

This approach emphasizes dialogue over authoritarian solutions.

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12
Q

According to Locke, what are the inherent qualities of human beings?

A

Naturally free, equal, and independent

This view supports the argument against the need for an authoritative figure.

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13
Q

How did John Rawls define society?

A

As the peaceful, voluntary interaction of multiple individuals.

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14
Q

What do liberals argue about the relationship between society and the state?

A

Society is not dependent upon the existence of the state.

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15
Q

What is the liberal view of human nature?

A

Human nature is respectful and fundamentally decent.

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16
Q

According to liberals, what predates the state?

A

Society predates the state.

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17
Q

What are the three key components of natural society according to liberal thought?

A
  • Natural rights: right to life and property
  • Natural law: recognition that natural rights should not be infringed
  • Natural justice: Any infringement of natural rights requires voluntary acts of compensation.
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18
Q

What does a ‘legitimate’ society allow individuals to do?

A

Pursue self-realisation and self-determination.

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19
Q

What barriers should individuals be free from in an individualistic society?

A

Barriers stemming from prejudice or discrimination.

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20
Q

Who emphasized the importance of creating conditions for an individualistic society during the mid-nineteenth century?

A

J.S. Mill.

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21
Q

What did Mary Wollstonecraft claim about natural rights in 1790?

A

Natural rights applied to both men and women.

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22
Q

What societal conflict did Betty Friedan address in the 20th century?

A

The patriarchal society conflicted with women’s quest for self-realisation.

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23
Q

Which liberal thinker advocated for religious nonconformists in 17C England?

A

John Locke.

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24
Q

What did Wollstonecraft advocate for women in 18C England?

A

Aspiring to property and education.

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25
What did Friedan encourage women to seek in 1960s USA?
Professional careers.
26
What is the liberal commitment regarding society?
To create a more tolerant society.
27
What is necessary for universal self-realisation according to liberals?
A tolerant society.
28
What was the title of Locke's work that discussed religious toleration?
A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689).
29
What does the 'Harm Principle' state?
Individuals should be free to do and say anything that does not harm the liberty of other individuals.
30
Who developed the 'Harm Principle' in the mid-nineteenth century?
J.S. Mill.
31
What did T.H. Green believe about individuals and societies?
Individuals will be drawn to, and rely on, societies that tolerate their individualism.
32
What do all liberals believe regarding property ownership?
All liberals believe in the private ownership of property. ## Footnote This belief underscores the liberal commitment to individual rights and freedoms.
33
Who argued that property is a ‘natural right’?
John Locke argued that property is a ‘natural right’. ## Footnote Locke's philosophy asserts that property rights predate the state.
34
What did J.S. Mill believe about property?
Property facilitates individualism and reflects individual preferences. ## Footnote Mill emphasized that property provides a sense of independence.
35
How is property viewed in the context of self-realization?
Property is viewed as a crucial vehicle for self-realisation and self-determination. ## Footnote This perspective highlights the personal significance of property in individual development.
36
What does property ownership by many individuals protect against?
Property offers protection against concentrated power and threats to natural rights. ## Footnote This concept relates to the distribution of power in society.
37
Since when has liberalism been associated with private enterprise?
Since the late 18th century. ## Footnote This association is rooted in the economic ideas of Adam Smith.
38
What economic beliefs did Adam Smith propose?
Free trade and free markets. ## Footnote Smith believed that these principles would lead to economic prosperity.
39
What is the 'invisible hand' according to Adam Smith?
The 'invisible hand' of market forces enriches both individuals and nations when trade is free. ## Footnote This metaphor illustrates the self-regulating nature of the market.
40
Why do liberals defend capitalism despite its inequality of outcome?
1. Individual wealth will 'trickle down' to the majority. 2. Unequal outcomes are consistent with a 'meritocratic' society. ## Footnote These justifications reflect a belief in the overall benefits of capitalism.
41
What did John Rawls argue regarding inequality of outcome?
Inequality of outcome can only be defended if there is equality of opportunity. ## Footnote This perspective emphasizes fairness in the distribution of resources.
42
What type of capitalism do classical liberals like Mill commend?
Laissez-faire capitalism. ## Footnote This approach advocates minimal government intervention in the economy.
43
What type of capitalism do modern liberals like Rawls usually favor?
Keynesian capitalism. ## Footnote Keynesian capitalism supports government intervention to stabilize the economy.
44
What do liberals believe regarding the existence of a state?
Liberals believe that self-realisation, self-determination and self-fulfilment are best served by the existence of a state.
45
What conditions must the state meet according to liberals influenced by John Locke?
The state must ensure individuals are not left worse off than in the state of nature.
46
What doctrine do liberals reject that was prevalent in Medieval states?
Divine Right of Kings.
47
What is Monarchical Absolutism?
Power resting exclusively with the king or queen.
48
What does Arbitrary Power refer to in the context of Medieval states?
The monarch can exercise power randomly, unrestrained by codes of governance.
49
What is Hereditary Power?
Power exercised by those who inherit it instead of those who can use it rationally.
50
What did early liberals, like Locke, argue about Medieval states?
They were morally illegitimate and unable to respect natural rights.
51
What is 'government by consent' according to Locke?
The state has legitimacy only if those under its jurisdiction agree to be under it.
52
What is the difference between 'citizens' and 'subjects' in a liberal state?
Citizens have ultimate control over those who govern, while subjects do not.
53
What did Locke believe about the role of government?
Government should always be the servant, not the master, of the people.
54
Under what condition can citizens declare a state illegitimate?
If the advantages of the state stop, citizens can return to the state of nature.
55
What rights does the liberal state aim to improve upon?
The rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of self-fulfilment.
56
How does John Rawls define liberalism?
As 'state-sponsored individualism'.
57
What is the purpose of a liberal constitution?
To limit the state's power and define the extent of state authority.
58
What does it mean for a liberal state to have equal opportunities?
Every individual is born equal with equal natural rights and must be treated equally.
59
How do liberals view inequality of outcome?
As an inevitable and desirable consequence of individual diversity.
60
What role does education play in promoting tolerance according to Mill?
Education is vital for encouraging greater tolerance.
61
What is the significance of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in the context of liberalism?
It reflects the state's role in promoting tolerance and preventing discrimination.
62
What are the preconditions of government in a liberal state?
The terms on which the governed initially gave their consent.
63
What does Locke mean by 'fragmented and scattered' powers?
The state’s powers should not be concentrated but shared evenly.
64
What is a meritocratic state?
A state governed by those who have earned their authority rather than inherited it.
65
What concerns did classical liberals have about voting rights?
Concerns that granting votes to the uneducated or property-less could threaten natural rights.
66
What is the danger of direct democracy according to modern liberals like Friedan and Rawls?
It threatens the natural rights of minority interests.
67
What is the role of supreme courts in a liberal state?
To veto policies that clash with the state’s Bill of Rights.
68
What is the Bill of Rights?
A document that protects certain rights from the actions of politicians.
69
What do liberals fear about parliamentary sovereignty?
It could lead to the legitimisation of 'illiberal' ideas.
70
What is meant by 'elective dictatorship' in liberal thought?
A populist government that could threaten natural rights.

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