Liberalism key ideas revision

Question 1

Main strands of liberalism = ?

Answer 1

-Classical liberalism
-Modern liberalism

Question 1

Classical liberalism key thinkers = ?

Answer 1

Mary Wollstonecraft, John Locke and John-Stuart Mill

Question 2

Modern liberalism key thinkers = ?

Answer 2

John Rawls, Betty Friedan

Question 3

What does liberalism reject to do with human nature?

Answer 3

The idea and notion of original sin, human beings are flawed/imperfect and need faith in God for forgiveness.

Question 4

What is the view on human nature?

Answer 4

Optimistic view on human nature

Question 5

mechanistic theory = ?

Answer 5

The idea that the state was created by “man” to serve the people and act in their interests.

Question 6

What does Locke suggests humans have?

Answer 6

Humans are rational, they have the ability to plan and shape our own destiny.

Question 7

Individualism = ?

Answer 7

An individual should be at the centre of all political thought, economic and social life.

-Self-determination
-Encouraging people to fulfil their potential
-Self-fulfilment

Question 8

State of nature = ?

Answer 8

Life before government when people lived in a state of nature with natural rights to life, property and happiness

Question 9

Who thought up the idea of the state of nature?

Answer 9

John Locke

Question 10

Why must natural laws embody natural rights?

Answer 10

These natural laws must embody natural rights and laws so individuals are never worse off living under formal laws that have been brought in by the state.

Question 11

What is John Stuart mills aim of society?

Answer 11

Main aim of society is to facilitate individualism; everyone has different talents and wishes to fulfil their potential. Everyone wishes to be self-reliant and self-fulfilled.

Question 12

Why is private property important in society?

Answer 12

Private property is important as it’s a manifestation of individualism in society.

Question 13

How are liberals different to anarchists?

Answer 13

Liberals do agree that there should be a state.

Question 14

Why do liberals agree that there should be a state?

Answer 14

Something larger than a state of nature is required as even within the state of nature there is likely going to be conflict thus there is a need for pre-agreed rules to limit the chances of conflict.

Question 15

What is John Locke’s saying about the state?

Answer 15

‘Night watchmen state’

Question 16

‘Night watchmen state’ = ?

Answer 16

Settle issues over property and law and order.

Question 17

Why is the state necessary?

Answer 17

Liberalism sees the state as necessary, in a state of nature there would be conflict as a result of egocentric individualism.

Question 18

Nightwatchman + minimal state = ?

Answer 18

John Locke says that the State’s role should be as a ‘night watchman’ minimal state that is required only to enforce law and order/defence.

Question 19

Are rules provided by the state necessary or not?

Answer 19

Rules provided by the state are necessary for the effective running of society in the same way they are needed in a school or a sports game.

Question 20

Traditional state = ?

Answer 20

Monarchical and absolutist rule which was in place in Europe before the enlightenment period – divine rule of kings.

Question 21

Government by consent = ?

Answer 21

state is only legitimate if the governed have agreed to it.

Question 22

What was Lockes quote on the issue of government by consent = ?

Answer 22

‘Government should be the servant not the master of people’.

Question 23

Social contract = ?

Answer 23

Deal between the government and the governed. In return for agreeing to the state’s laws the governed should receive certain rights.

Question 24

How was Jean Rousseau social contract a reciprocal agreement?

Answer 24

Reciprocal agreement so if the state breaks those rights a citizen is no longer under an obligation to obey the state’s laws.

Question 25

Examples of the social contract fitting into places = ?

Answer 25

Social contract was embodied in the English bill of rights, American constitution and French declaration of rights.

Question 26

Government under liberalism = ?

Answer 26

-Democratic
-Limited powers
-Constitutional
-Fragmented

Question 27

Meritocracy =

Answer 27

Power should be in the hands of those who have earned it through talent and earned respect of the governed aristocracy has no place in a liberal state.

Question 28

Formal equality = ?

Answer 28

Liberals believe that the state should be fair and just without regard for their identity e.g. gender, religion, ethnicity.

Question 29

Key economic idea of liberalism = ?

Answer 29

Property is a natural right of the people thus private property is at the heart of all economic arrangements. In short Liberals wholeheartedly support capitalism.

Question 30

What is the influence of Adam smith on liberal economic ideas?

Answer 30

Private enterprise and private ownership of the economy stemming from the liberal thinker Adam Smith.

Question 31

Do liberals agree on a free market?

Answer 31

Yes, free-market based economy.

Question 32

Liberals ideals about state intervention in the economy?

Answer 32

State should satay out of peoples lives and the economy thus no regulations and levies and only a small amount of tax for the nightwatchman state.

Question 33

What is the ‘invisible hand’ of market forces?

Answer 33

The ‘invisible hand’ of market forces would guide the hands of traders towards success, the resulting wealth would trickle down to everyone and the ‘wealth of nations’ would be promoted.