Liberalism (In progress) Flashcards
In progress (42 cards)
Define Liberalism
A political idology stressing a commitment to the individual and a disire to construct a society that allows people to satisfy their interests and feel fufilled
Define individualism
The idea that individuals are unique and more important than a collective body. People should therefore be free
Define freedom
People should be free to think and act as they wish
Define reason
In the context of Liberalism
Humans are naturally reasonable and able to make rational decisions. Humans usually learn from their mistakes
Explain the core idea of Justice
Liberals believe in legal/political equality. Every one is seen as being born with equal worth but social equality is undisirable as people have different talents and effort rates. Therefore they believe in a meritocracy (rewades people based on intellegence/effort)
Explain the core idea of tolerance
‘I detest what you have to say but will defend to the death your right to say it’- Voltaire
What do Classical Liberals believe in?
- Minimal state
- Free market economics
Egotistical individualism
Explain the core idea of classical liberalism
People are self interested and only come together for thier own self interest
What is Negative Freedom?
People being left alone to be free to explore their own self interest with a minimal state and a lack of external constraints
Does Negative Freedom refer to classical or modern liberalism?
Classical liberalism
Natural rights
Explain the core idea of classical liberalism
Humans have certain rights just for being human that cannot be taken away
Locke: ‘life ,liberty and property’
What economic policy are favoured by classical liberals?
Laissez-faire economics
Who said: ‘The economy works best when left alone’?
Adam Smith
‘Look not to parliament, look to yourselves’
Which classical liberalism core idea is described by this?
Social darwinism
What event in Europe did Liberalism emerge out of?
The Breakdown of feudalism
Which century is considered classical liberalism’s heyday?
19th Century
In what ways was liberalism radical in its early days?
It reflected the growing aspirations of the middle class who clashed with aristocrats/monarchs
Is John Locke considered a classical or modern liberal?
Classical
What essay regarding tolerance was written by John Locke?
A letter concerning Toleration
Who wrote ‘A Letter Concerning Toleration’?
John Locke
What in regards to religion was stated by ‘A Letter Concerning Toleration’
The state should not get involved in religion
Toleration of different religions would calm fears that Catholicism might take over England
Recite the famous qoute on natural rights by John Locke?
Every Human is entitiled to life, liberty and property
How do Liberals jusfify the state dispite it’s imapct on the freedom of individuals?
Social Contract
What did Locke say there was before the state?
A ‘state of nature’ where everyone does what they want
