The Liberal State

• what does the state effectively act as an agent of?

  mediation - a mechanism to arbitrate effectively between the competing claims of rational individuals, and prevent clashes arising from egocentric agendas
• what three objectives does the state aim to fulfil

  to be fairer, more efficient and more rewarding for individuals
• true or false: liberals reject pre-enlightenment states, with monarchies, absolutism and abitrary rule

  true
• liberals renounce any state where power is concentrated only with

  one individual
• which justification to rule did liberals reject from monarchies, instead promoting a government by consent

  the divine right of kings
• who argued: 'government should always be the servant, not master, of the people'

  John Locke
• what did rousseau dub the relationship between the government and the people

  the social contract
• what is the social contract

  in return for submitting to the state's laws, the governed should be guaranteed certain rights. if either is violated then there is no obligation to uphold the other
• if individuals want to exercise their natural rights, what principle must be practised to allow for this

  tolerance
• locke argued the state should show tolerance to which communities especially

  minorities
• what type of state do liberals believe in, one which rewards you off your competence and integrity, not inheritance

  a meritocratic state
• what three terms does a hereditary rule violate

  equality, reason and wisdom - paine
• liberals believe all individuals are born equal, have equal natural rights and are of equal value - true or false

  true
• what must individuals then have to develop their full potential

  equality of opportunity
• if there is equality of opportunity, where does the responsibility for failures lie - the individual or the state

  the individuals
• in terms of political and legal rights, what do liberals aim for

  formal equality - the state should embody justice, and treat everyone fairly regardless of 'identity'