liberalism

• what is individualism?

  the focus on the individual person as a primary political unit
• what is a classical liberalist view on individualism?

  egotistical individualism = own interests over everything else
• what is a modern liberalist view on individualism?

  developmental individualism = freedom results in development and reaching full potential
• what is a classical liberal view on the economy?

  • laissez-faire capitalism - operating through an 'invisible hand'
  • 'hands off' approach from the state regarding economy
  • free-trade globally
  • this approach rested on egotistical individualism and human rationalism
• what is a modern liberal view on the economy?

  • capitalist economy should be preserved but the free-market isn't self-regulating
  • state directed capitalism necessary to guide economy and regulate demand
  • keynesian economic approach developed to prevent economic depression
• what are the similarities between classical and modern liberalism?

  • both have an optimistic view on human nature based on the idea that each individual is unique
  • both advocate tolerance
  • both maintain capitalism is the best economic system
  • both oppose state ownership of the economy
  • both believe in a constitutional state to limit government power
• what are the differences between classical and modern liberalism?

  • classical = negative freedom, modern = positive freedom
  • modern = yes to tax, classical = no to tax
  • modern = keynesian-style approach to economics, classical = laissez-faire capitalism
  • modern = democracy good, classical = suspicious of democracy
  • modern = enabling state, classical = minimal state
• what kind of liberalism is John Locke associated with?

  classical liberalism
• what are Locke's key liberal ideas?

  1. social contract theory = society, state, gov all based on voluntary agreement/contract
  2. limited gov = government should be limited by a constitutions laws + procedures
• what are the uses of Locke's ideas?

  the state:

  • argued that true state would be established by humans to serve their interests + would rest on voluntary consent
  • if state broke contract - people entitled to remove it
  • rational people will not willing submit to arbitrary rule

  the state and limited gov:

  • government limited to representing the interests of the people and gaining their ongoing consent
• what kind of liberalism is Mary Wollstonecraft associated with?

  liberal philosophy
• what were Wollstonecraft's key ideas?

  1. reason = women are rational and independent beings capable of reason
  2. formal equality = in order to be free, women should enjoy full civil liberties
• what are the uses of Wollstonecraft's key ideas?

  human nature:

  • humans should be viewed in optimistic terms

  the state:

  • 18th century state measures assumed women were not rational - she contradicted this

  society:

  • women should be able to enjoy civil liberties and enjoy a career
• what kind of liberalism is John Stuart Mill associated with?

  the transition between classical and modern liberalism
• what were Mill's key ideas?

  1. the harm principle = individuals should be free to do anything apart from harm others
  2. tolerance = being prepared to accept values
• what were the uses of Mill's ideas?

  human nature:

  • humans are either 'self-regarding' or 'other-regarding'

  society:

  • endorsement of tolerance and being able to hold a minority view

  the state:

  • state should not interfere with 'self-regarding' actions but should with 'other-regarding' actions
• what kind of liberal was John Rawls?

  modern liberal
• what were Rawls's key ideas?

  1. theory of justice = society must be just
  2. the veil of ignorance = individuals agree on the type of society they want from a position where they lack the knowledge of their own position in society.
• what are the uses of Rawls's ideas?

  society:

  • individuals need formal equality

  state:

  • enabling state necessary to distribute wealth

  society/state:

  • humans would do better in a society where the poor receive better treatment

  human nature/society:

  • most people would still expect scope for individual freedom
• what are Friedan's key ideas?

  1. legal equality = women and men are of equal worth
  2. equal opportunity = women restricted in choices by society
• what are the uses of Friedan's key ideas?

  the state:

  • legislation should criminalise discrimination

  society:

  • conditioning only emphasises unfulling domestic roles rather than careers - this should change

  the state:

  • legal measures will secure greater equality of opportunity for men and women
• what kind of liberal was Betty Friedan?

  modern