Liberalism - Differing views and tensions Flashcards
(27 cards)
What are the two main strands of liberalism?
Classical Liberalism - Associated with 18th and 19th Centuries
Modern Liberalism - Emerged in early 20th Century
What are the two key areas of disagreement between the two strands?
Freedom
The State
How do Classical Liberals view freedom?
Freedom is the lack of restraint and restriction
What is the Classic Liberal theory of Utilitarianism?
The Greatest Happiness for the Greatest Number
According to Classical Liberals what role should the state adopt?
Night Watchman - preventing citizens harming each other
How do classical liberals believe equality of opportunity can be ensured?
Legal Equality - Formal Equality
What approach do Classical Liberals take to the economy?
Support Free Trade and Laissez-Faire Capitalism
How will govt intervention in the economy effect business according to Classical Liberals?
Will prevent them from being able to make a profit and leading innovation
What is the classical liberal view of a welfare state?
Strongly Reject - Will encourage a culture of dependency
What do classical liberals argue regarding taxation?
Taxation will destroy wealth and deprive people of the fruits of their success
Why are Classical Liberals not anarchists?
They see human nature as selfish, so a state is needed to protect us from each other
Why are Classical Liberals suspicious of the state?
They fear a tyranny of the majority
Belief that power corrupts
What is the Modern Liberal view of freedom?
Positive Freedom with govt intervention is required to compensate for social evils such as poverty
How do Modern Liberals see the state?
A source of empowerment rather than oppression
What economic system do Modern Liberals Support?
Keynesian Economics with progressive taxation to enable individual freedom
According to Modern Liberals what is the aim of state intervention?
To create a level playing field with true equality of opportunity
How do the two strands disagree on Freedom?
Classical - Negative Freedom
Modern - Positive Freedom
How would classical liberals expand freedoms?
Restricting state power
True or False:
Self-Reliance is an important virtue for classical liberals
True
Why do Modern Liberals oppose negative freedom?
They do not feel it is sufficient for equality of opportunity
How would modern liberals expand freedom?
Qualified state intervention to widen individual opportunity
Where do the two strands agree on the nature of the state?
Both believe in decentralisation of power - links to belief that power corrupts
Where do the two strands disagree on the state?
Classical - State should act only as a night watchman to enforce laws for an orderly existence
Modern - State should act as an enabler to remove or reduce social inequalities
What report acts as a foundation for Modern Liberals views on welfare?
The Beveridge Report
