Liberalism Essay Plans

Question 1

Do classical and modern liberals agree on democracy?

Question 2

Introduction

Answer 2

Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, and they are able to vote in periodically held elections regarding their rigths and laws.
- Liberal democracy is a subject of contention between modern and classical liberals
- agree on social contract + consent that it gives the state, presence of a constitution
- disagree on tyranny of the majority taking away individualism (classicals like Locke/Mill)
- disagree on who should be enfranchised and

Question 3

Agree on democracy -

Answer 3

• Key principle of social contract (TTOG 1690 by John Locke: political power is from below, people in society must consent to the power of the state and obey it and if they abuse this power rebellion as a result is their right
• because humans are rational beings, they can consent to this contract and make reasonable and responsible decisions on their women decisions (endorses self determination)
  MJ- democracy gives the state consent and legitimacy, and representatiin
• should be representative instead of direct
  MJ- liberals agree that this can do away with individuals rights and freedoms, representation is a measured way to ensure a stable government, accountability and consent
• direct democracy can lead to a tyrannical government without checks and balances (Lord Acton ‘PCAAPCA’
• most liberals believe in developmental democracy, where participation and education can increase rationalism (THG, BF)
  MJ- democracy is a key feature of a liberal society and the only means of creating harmony in modern society, reflecting the interests of various groups

Question 4

Disagreement on democracy -

Answer 4

CLASSICAL VIEW
- democracy can lead to a decline of individualism: ‘tyranny of the majority’ (Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville),
- the uneducated cannot make as informed decisions about society as those who are (JSM)
- did not mention women’s enfranchisement
- property requirements are essential to the franchise
MODERN VIEW
- women enfranchisement is essential to a more progressive society
- with a constitutional framework democracy can be measured a
- property is not an essential aspect of the franchise, only education and full employment (JR,THG)
- democracy must allow minorities to vote, so legislation can occur for their own individuality

Question 5

Conclusion -

Answer 5

• democracy is a large agreement for classicals and liberals
• they agree that it enhances the contractual nature of the state whilst allowing representation and individual rights to be championed
• their tensions are to do with the nature of democracy: should it be direct/ representative or who should vote
• but both recognise it as an essential principle