Liberalism Key Terms Flashcards
Political ideology that favours the protection of individual liberty and economic freedom by limiting government power - began in the 17th century
Classic liberalism
The way in which goods and services are made, sold and used in a country or area
Economy
The role of the state is to enable its people to be free due to equality of opportunity
Enabling state
The idea that individual freedom is associated with self-interest and self-reliance
Egotistical individualism
Individuals are provided with an equal chance in life regardless of social class, ethnicity, age, gender, sex or religion
Equality of opportunity
The idea that all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society
Formal equality
The view that we are all born with equal entitlement - these cannot be taken away
Foundational equality
A key 20th-century liberal feminist
Betty Friedan
The idea that the actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to other individuals
Harm principle
The natural qualities and ways of behaviour that most people have
Human nature
A set of opinions or beliefs of a group or individual
Ideology
A liberal economic theory that states that governments are able to influence the economy without limiting people’s freedoms
Keynesianism
The foundational thinker of liberalism. He had a positive view of human nature. His ideas were developed in the 17th century
John Locke
An economic system, organised by the market, where goods are produced for exchange and profit and wealth is privately owned
Laissez-fair capitalism
The idea that state institutions should be as “small” as possible
Limited government
Society whereby jobs and pay are allocated based on an individual’s talent and achievements rather than social status
Meritocracy
Nineteenth-century liberal thinker who developed the “harm principle”
John Stuart Mill
The idea that the governments should be as limited as possible
Minimal state
Ideology which promoted an active government as the best guardian of liberty; both theoretical liberty and effective liberty
Modern liberalism
Freedom from government and restrictive laws
Negative freedom
Political and economic philosophy that emphasises free trade, deregulation, globalisation and a reduction in government spending
Neo-liberalism
Being enabled and supported in such a way as to take control of one’s life and realize one’s fundamental purposes. The idea that freedom is about personal fulfilment and realisation of potential
Positive freedom
Modern liberal thinker who based freedom on a “fair society”
John Rawls
The idea that humans are thoughtful and act based on reason
Rationalism
