Liberalism

• Harm principle


  Individuals should be free to pursue actions that in no way constrain the liberty of others (self-regarding actions)
• Minimal state


  State only takes what actions are necessary to protect property and individual rights
• Enabling state


  Degree of state intervention is in place to ensure that even the disadvantaged can experience a life of true liberty
• Foundational equality


  Everyone is born with equal entitlement, the same human/natural rights, & the same moral worth
• Formal equality


  Equal legal status for all members of society regardless of social background
• Equality of opportunity


  Individuals have an equal chance in life regardless of social class, ethnicity, age, gender, etc.
• Social contract


  Invisible contract between the people & the state, defining the rights/duties of the ruled/their rulers
• Meritocracy


  People are defined by merit/ability rather than the social circumstances of their birth
• Mechanistic theory


  The state was created by man to serve the people & act in their interests
• Tolerance


  Accepting actions/ideas you dislike/disagree with; being comfortable with the diversity of human life
• Limited government


  Principle that an overreaching govt is unacceptable, & that govt intervention should be limited
• Egoistical individualism


  Individuals are primarily concerned with pursuing their own self-interest, owing little/nothing to society; society should leave individuals free to choose their own lifestyle & decide how best to use their talents
• Developmental individualism


  Extent to which all individuals are able to grow & achieve their potential in common with others in society
• Negative freedom


  Freedom from outside intervention/absence of obstacles to something an individual wants to do e.g. a law prohibiting it
• Positive freedom


  Freedom to fulfil our goals, threatened by inequality, poverty, lack of education, etc.
• Laissez-faire economics


  As few state regulations, subsidies, taxes as possible
• Free market capitalism


  Economic system not under control of the govt: mostly privatisation, & limited govt intervention to influence the outcomes of market activity
• Keynesianism


  The market isn’t self-correcting & isn’t naturally inclined towards a state of equilibrium so state intervention is both necessary & justified to prevent the collapse of capitalism
• Classical liberalism key ideas:

  • Formal equality
  • Negative freedom
  • Minimal, 'nightwatchman' state
  • Atomism
  • Egotistical individualism
  • Marketplace is the best system for meeting our needs
  • Laissez-faire: creates great inequality but the poor will still be better off because the country as a whole will be wealthier
  • Privatisation
• J.S. Mill (Classical)

  • State justified to limit individual actions when they limit others’ freedom
  • Harm principle
  • Despotism of custom: society encourages everyone to act in the same manner; don’t force opinions on others unless certain of their truth
  • Assumptions must be subject to marketplace of ideas: truth emerges from discussion & experience
  • Majority opinion can be wrong: holds no authority/absolute certainty
  • Individuals are sovereign & have free will: responsible for charting their own path in life
  • Utilitarianism: actions that promote the most happiness are best
• Wollstonecraft (Classical)

  • Men & women equally rational: women may appear inferior but this is a result of inferior education
• Locke (Classical)

  • Social contract: theoretical agreement
  • Limited govt: consent from below, only act to protect liberty & property
  • State only legitimate because of consent (can be removed at any time if social contract is broken e.g. in an election)
  • Relationship between state/citizens is 2-way: obey the law, protect citizens
  • Individuals are rational: know our liberties are best protected by the state & that it is best placed to prevent invasion/disorder, so allowing the state to govern promotes our best interests
• Modern Liberalism key ideas:

  • Free market has led to many not being free
  • Formal equality
  • Positive freedom, developmental individualism
  • Enabling state (welfare)
  • Social justice = better distribution
  • Greater equality of opportunity (all are equal)
  • Self-realisation not possible in isolation (dependent on others)
  • Keynesianism
  • Some redistribution necessary for equality of opportunity
  • Society contributes to wealth creation so taxation /= redistribution/theft, = society taking its fair share
• Rawls (Modern)

  • Veil of ignorance: considering the society you want, without knowing your role in it; rather than risk poverty, people want a fairer society with good housing/education etc.
  • Justice as fairness: society must be just & guarantee everyone a life worth living; justice = what everyone would agree to from position of ignorance
  • American Dream/’rags to riches’ stops the powerful remedying unfairness
• Friedan (Modern)

  • Legislative reform to address gender inequality
  • Political process is male-dominated but sufficient scope to advance the feminist position
  • Equality of opportunity
  • Women are trapped by social expectations: few +ve female role models who work outside the home & have a family
  • Feminine mystique
  • Women are as capable of men to perform any kind of work
• Feminine mystique


  Illusion created by mostly male advertising industry that sells women a domestic lifestyle