Liberalism

• John Locke

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  acting as a father of liberalism, Locke established social contract theory and the role of limited government

  • supported a state as a means to protect basic liberties
  • state should always seek support from below as it does not have a god given right to dictate and rule
  • citizens can withdraw consent
• 'government has no other end , but the preservation of property' Locke
• Mary Wollstencraft 1759-1797

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  Wollstonecraft was a liberal feminist who argued from this perspective, writing a vindication of the rights of women

  • women are rational and capable of reason who should therefore have the same civil rights as men
  • strived for formal equality and equality of opportunity, property rights etc.
  • marriage must be a partnership and free women from the patriarchy which limits their liberty
• 'virtue can only flourish amongst equals' Wollstonecraft
• John Stuart Mill 1806-1873

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  Bridged modern and classical liberalism and promoted virtuous utilitarianism

  • the harm principle states that we should be completely free except from harming other individuals
  • argued for tolerance and saw men and women as equal
  • accepted the government's role to help the poor
• 'the only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs' John Stuart Mill
• John Rawls 1921-2002

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  Rawls 'veil of ignorance' thought experiment suggests that if we imagine we have no prior knowledge of class, we would all agree on basic freedoms and the protection of the poor

  • supports equality of outcome
  • a positive view of human nature
  • must maximise the position of those the least well off
• 'a society regulated by a public sense of justice is inherently stable' Rawls
• Betty Friedan 1921-2006

  • key texts
  • human nature
  • the state
  • economy
  • society

  Liberal feminist who wrote the feminist mystique in support of dismantling the limiting domestic role of women

  • women are as capable as men and oppressive views must be rejected
  • social conditioning has led women to restrictive housewife roles
  • we must promote a level playing field and a right to choose
• 'men are not the enemy but fellow victims. the real enemy is women's denigration of themselves' Betty Freidan