Liberalism Key Terms Flashcards
(16 cards)
Define Mechanistic Theory
Mankind - rebuffed
The belief that mankind is rational and capable of devising a state reflective of their needs that rebuffed the ‘divine right if kings’ (stemmed from JL writings)
Define the divine right of kings
State -obedience
The belief the state reflected God’s will and obedience to the state was therefore a religious duty.
Define egoistical individualism
Human beings - rationlaists
The belief that human beings naturally act to advance their own selfish interests and personal happiness.
Contrastingly , rationalists argue that this does not cause conflict.
Define Economic Liberalism
Century - involving
Also known as Capitalism.
An economic trend for 17th century
Involving individualistic theory, property by natural right and individual traders competing and cooperating for the ultimate benefit if all (eternal optimism)
Define the State Of Nature
Deal- whereby
The state as a deal between the government and the governed
Whereby the governed submit to the state’s law and the government guarantees their rights
If the government violates the governed’s rights
Their need to obey the state is negated
(Locke)
Contrastingly, Hobbes argues the opposite if people disobey the government the government could be free to punish or abandon them.
Tolerance/Harm principles
(Original)
Views- harm
Particular views especially those frowned upon should be tolerated as long as they don’t harm the individual freedom of others
Define foundational/legal
Born - Equality
The liberal belief we are all born equal and entitled to legal equality through law and individual rights
Define a limited government
How - preventing
A government limited by how it can act, a constitution or rules preventing it from being arbitrary.
Define Laissez-faire capitalism
Property -negative -allows
The liberal belief in private property, negative liberty and an economic system which allows for enterprise and capitalism to operate.
What is negative liberty?
Alone -Infringe
The state in which individuals are left alone to pursue their destiny and to interfere is to infringe on their liberty.
Define the minimal state
-activities -range
Model of state by which it’s activities are minimised ( in regards to taxing and legislating)
Instead confining it’s range to defence and protection if private property etc.
Define developmental individualism
Individuals -had -importance
A philosophy by John Stuart Mill which saw to focus on what individuals could become and not what they had become emphasising the importantance of education.
Define positive freedom
Left -exercise -inhibited
Theory which suggested that individuals left alone may need enabling to be free to exercise their individual talents as inhibited.
Define enabling state
Notion -free -fulfill
A notion of positive liberty where a state extends activities to free individual from restraining socieneconomic problems to fullifil
What is Social Liberalism?
(new)
-Version -Criminalise
An updated version of tolerance where legislation may criminalise discriminatory actions
