Thomas Hill Green

• Freedom

  Rooted in positive liberty, asserting that true freedom is the ability to realise one's potential

  Freedom is not just about the absence of interference but about presence of enabling conditions that foster individual growth
• Freedom: Counterpoints

  Classical liberals: true freedom is the absence of interference and positive freedom can lead to paternalism

  New Right thinkers: any form of state intervention undermines individual freedom
• Important Work

  Lectures on the Principles of Political Obligation 1895
• Examples

  NHS = reflects his belief in the enabling state that promotes social welfare and healthcare access

  Public Education Laws = support his view that education essential for individual development and societal progress

  Equality Act 2010= to promote equality and protect against discrimination
• Human nature

  • perceives human beings as inherently rational and social, capable of self improvement and moral development
  • individuals flourish in environments that promote civic virtue and collective responsibility
• Human nature: Counterpoints

  1. Marxist: individual moral development neglects the role of economic structures in shaping human behaviour
  2. Traditional Conservative: may claim civic virtue can only be instilled through authority and tradition, not through individual rationality
  3. Anarchist: reject idea that individual flourishing can be achieved through societal structures, advocating for a more decentralised approach
• Society

  • advocates for a cooperative society where individuals work together to achieve common goals
  • emphasises the importance of social institutions in fostering individual flourishing, collective well being and civic virtue
• Society: Counterpoints

  • Anarchist: societal structures constrain personal freedom and should be dismantled
  • New Rights: societal cooperation can undermine individual entrepreneurial spirit and responsibility
  • Social Democratic: could contend that while cooperation is important, it must be balanced with individual rights and freedoms
• State

  • supports an enabling state that actively promotes social welfare and provides conditions necessary for individuals to achieve their potential
  • state should intervene to rectify inequalities and restrict certain freedoms ( gambling, drinking ) to promote the common good
• State: Counterpoints

  1. Anarchist: reject the need for state, arguing that true freedom comes from abolishing government
  2. New Rights: critique's Green's enabling state approach, advocating for minimal government interference in personal lives
  3. Classical liberal: any form of state intervention infringes on individual liberties and autonomy
• Economy

  • critiques unregulated capitalism
  • economic structures must be designed to promote social welfare
  • supports measures such as social insurance and public education to empower individuals and enhance their freedoms
• Economy: Counterpoints

  1. New Rights: unregulated markets lead to innovation and efficiency and government intervention hinders economic growth
  2. Marxist: Green's reforms do not address the fundamental inequalities produced by capitalism
  3. Socialist: for abolition of capitalism in favour of communal ownership and direct worker control
• Property

  • property should be viewed as a social institution that must be regulated to promote common good
  • supports idea of private property
  • emphasises its moral obligations
• Property: Counterpoints

  • Anarchist: property rights should prioritise individual autonomy without consideration for collective obligations
  • New Rights: may contend that property rights undermine personal responsibility and value of self reliance
  • Marxist: property should be viewed through lens of class struggle