Liberalism

• Classical liberalism

  The earliest liberal tradition, emerging during the transition from feudalism to capitalism, and reaching a high point in the 19th century
• Classical liberalism

  • Reaction to religious conformity and the ascribed statuses of feudal society
  • Began in the UK, where the industrial revolution was most advanced
  • Some classical liberal ideas have increased in popularity in recent decades, namely neoliberalism, which is a return to classical liberal economics
• Negative freedom

  Individuals should, as far as possible, be free from government interference
• Egotistical individualism

  Freedom is associated with self-interest and self-reliance
• Self-government

  Own power to rule themselves
• Minimal state

  The state lays down the conditions but, does not get involved. State's role = maintain order and protect citizens
• Laissez-faire capitalist economy

  Allows for personal freedom and provides benefits
• Modern liberalism

  Arose as a reaction to the effects of capitalism, which had created large inequalities of wealth and social circumstance
• Enabling state

  State helps to protect individual freedoms by exercising a wider range of social and economic responsibilities than a minimal state
• Positive freedom

  The ability of individuals to decide what they can or can't/will or won't do, as they have been allowed to develop their potential
• Negative freedom


  The absence of restrictions on an individual's freedom to act, by bodies such as the state
• Necessary evil

  Liberals believe the state is necessary to preserve individual freedom, despite the dangers of government power
• Constitution

  A set of rules that sets out duties, powers and functions for various institutions of government
• Classical liberal views on human nature

  • Egotistical individualism - our human nature is self centered
  • Even though we are selfish individuals we can still care about others because we are rational creatures
  • Both men and women aren't fixed in human nature therefore allowed to flourish
• Modern liberal views on human nature

  • Developmental individualism
  • We can sympathise with people less fortunate than us
  • Culture and society target women and hold them back
  • Mankind is selfish but also empathetic
• Harm principle

  Idea that individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals
• Minimal state


  Role of the state must be restricted in order to preserve individual liberty
• Enabling state


  A larger state role helps individuals achieve their potential and be free
• Laissez-faire capitalism


  An economic system, organised by the market, where goods are produced for exchange and profit, and wealth is privately owned
• Keynesianism


  Economics requires government involvement to stimulate economy and achieve full employment and price stability