Liberalism

• John Locke Strand


  Classical Liberal
• John Locke Context


  Mid-17th century, context of English Civil War, and response to Hobbes. Involved in the 1689 Bill of Rights
• John Locke Human Nature

  Optimistic view of Human Nature (coming from enlightenment), people are guided by realism and rationalism
• John Locke The State


  Rejection of 'divine right' to rule. States should be set up to support individualism
• John Locke Society


  'Natural' society with 'natural' laws, establishing individual rights, such as life, liberty and property. Negative rights.
• John Locke The Economy


  Private property is central to the Economy. Markets should be free to allow for individualism.
• Mary Wollstonecraft Strand


  Classical Liberal
• Mary Wollstonecraft Context


  Wrote Vindication of the Rights of Women in response to the French Revolution's DoRoM
• Mary Wollstonecraft Human Nature


  Women's human nature isn't 'inferior' to men's. They are of equal capability, but women aren't given the opportunity to demonstrate this
• Mary Wollstonecraft The State


  The state needs to provide an education for women. It should be classical (i.e subject focused, not domestic skills), and the same as what boys access.
• Mary Wollstonecraft Society


  Societal expectations of women limit their current opportunities.
• Mary Wollstonecraft The Economy


  Women should have the OPTION to enter the workplace if they wish. Primarily, though, they should use their education to be better supporters of their husbands.
• John Stuart Mill Context

  A Liberal MP, he was an early advocate for utilitarianism. Maximum good for the maximum number of people.
• John Stuart Mill Human Nature


  Humans are rational beings that are capable of self implement, but with a care for others
• John Stuart Mill The State

  The state should keep intervention to a minimum, except for 'th harm principle.' Individuals should be free to do what they want, as long as they aren't harming others.
• John Stuart Mill Society


  Individuals are free and should be supported to act in their own best interests, with a concern for others (using the harm principle.) An early advocate for gender equality
• John Stuart Mill The Economy


  Free markets, guided by the harm principle
• John Rawls Strand


  Modern Liberal
• John Rawls Context


  20th century American philosopher, writing 'A Theory of Justice
• John Rawls Human Nature

  Humans are rational and emphatic
• John Rawls The State

  It should be interventionist, protecting both positive and negative rights. He argues this is necessary using 'the veil of ignorance' - if removed from their own biases, everyone would support more state intervention. Foundational Equality.
• John Rawls Society


  Society should support the less well off and limit a large wealth distribution.
• John Rawls The Economy


  Progressive taxation should limit significant wealth distribution.
• Betty Friedan


  Modern Liberal
• Betty Friedan Context


  1960s America - responds to 'the Feminist Mystique', post-WW2 and growing prosperity, and yet many American women don't feel fulfilled in their lives.
• Betty Friedan Human Nature

  Women have an equal nature and capability, but it is restrictive social attitudes that have held women back.
• Betty Friedan The State


  States should ensure legal equality - such as through the US constitution. No change through violence.
• Betty Friedan Society


  Societal attitude towards women should be challenged to help address the Feminine Mystique - including the portrayal of women in literature, film and the media.
• Betty Friedan The Economy


  In order to resolve the 'Feminine Mystique' - women should be actively encouraged into work.