Liberalism Origins Flashcards
(13 cards)
How many countries call themselves liberal democracies?
According to the UN 2\3 of countries call themselves liberal democracies
How may liberalism differ around the world?
In the UK/US and most of Western Europe: seen at odds with the values of conservatism and closer to the values of socialism.
In Australia the Liberal Party is the main opposition to the Labor Party.
How old it is, where do it’s roots lie?
Liberalism is the oldest of the three core ideologies.
It’s roots lie in the Reformation : late 15-16th centuries religious movement affecting much of northern Europe.
Figure: Martin Luther
Issue: Ppl need not intermediaries/priests/Popes to undertake private prayer and God’s work.
Occurrences: printing press,wider promotion × literacy
What Era enabled the emergence of the radical idea of liberalism?
The enlightenment.
Intellectual movement that emerged in the mid-17th century.
Occurrences: English Civil War, overthrow of King’s Charles, Independent American Republic 1776, French Revolution 1789)
What: extended reformation’s ideas into secular sphere. Belief in reason not faith. Promotion of relentless debate and inquiry. Questioning and scrutiny of accepted.
What was the main radical idea that emerged in relation to liberalism?
Each individual is someone with free will, best judge of their interests and their life should be shaped by their actions and decisions
Who is the father of liberalism what did he question?
John Locke (1632-1704)
Questioned the relationship between governments and individuals seeking to define just why and how individuals should defer from those who governed them.
John Locke believed in the principle called ___ which argued that …..
The Mechanistic Theory argued that humans were rational reasonable beings capable of building a political system by themselves reflecting of their needs for themselves.
What was John Locke’s book called?
Two treaties of Government (1690) regarded as the cornerstone of liberal thought.
What were John Locke’s beliefs on:
1. The state
Structure -Created -Consent
He denied medieval structure.
Saw true state as one created by mankind to serve mankind’s interests.
One which arised only from consent if governed
What were John Locke’s beliefs on:
2. Human Nature
Society -Natural -Governement
Believed in natural society.
Positive view of humans as rational with natural law, liberties + rights.
The government was designed to improve the tolerable situation by resolving disputes between individuals.
What were John Locke’s beliefs on:
3. State of Law
Legitimate -Accept -Theory
Only legitimate if it respected natural rights and liberties.
Citizens had consented to accept the state’s rules in return of improved situations.
(Social Contact Theory)
What were John Locke’s beliefs on:
4. A limited government
Interests -Requiring -Power
A government representative the interests of the governed always.
Requiring their consent.
Dispersal of power (checks and balances,desperate executive and legislative branches)
