state

• Paragraph 1: AGREE

  • Liberals agree the state is a necessary evil, created under the mechanistic theory (by man, for man) due to humans’ innate rationality. It’s limited and consensual, protecting rights (life, liberty, property).
  • Locke’s social contract: Individuals sacrifice some autonomy for rights protection. If the state fails, society can revolt.
  • Both strands agree on a minimal state to ensure freedom: “Where there is no law, there is no freedom.”
• Paragraph 2: DISAGREE (Role of the State)

  • Classical liberals want a minimal “night-watchman state”; modern liberals support intervention to enable freedom and equality of opportunity.
  • Mill’s harm principle: State intervention is only justified to prevent harm to others, ensuring negative freedom.
  • Friedan: State-funded childcare ensures women’s freedom and equality, preventing restrictions on a section of society.Key Thinkers: John Stuart Mill, Betty Friedan.
• Paragraph 3: DISAGREE (Economic Role of the State)

  • Classical liberals support laissez-faire economics: no state intervention, free trade, no welfare state. They argue welfare creates dependency, undermining innate rationality and meritocracy.
  • Modern liberals advocate state intervention to reduce inequality and ensure equality of opportunity. Rawls: Behind the veil of ignorance, individuals would support the worst-off to ensure fairness.Key Thinkers: Adam Smith, John Rawls.