Liberalism

• Mary Wollstonecraft on Human Nature

  Rationalism defines that both genders, intellectually are not very different
• John Stuart Mill on Human Nature

  Though rational, human nature is not fixed, it is forever progressing to a higher level
• John Rawls


  Mankind is selfish yet empathetic, valuing both individual liberty and the plight of others
• Thomas Hill Green


  Human beings are guided mainly by their reason, but their reason is increasingly affected by social and economic circumstances
• Betty Friedan


  Human Nature has evolved in a way that discourages self-advancement among women
• Mary Wollstonecraft on the State

  The monarchical state should be replaced by a republic which enshrines women’s rights
• John Stuart Mill on the state

  The state should proceed cautiously towards representative democracy, being mindful of minority rights
• John Rawls on the state

  The state should enable less fortunate individuals to advance via public spending and public services
• Thomas Hill Green on the state

  State should actively eliminate social and economic obstacles to individual liberty
• Betty Friedan


  The state should legislate to prevent continued discrimination against women
• Mary Wollstonecraft on society

  Existing society infantilises women and thus stifles female individualism
• Mary Wollstonecraft on the economy

  a free-market economy would be energised by the enterprise of liberated women
• John Stuart Mill on Society

  The best society is one where individuality co-exists with tolerance and self-improvement
• John Stuart Mill on the economy

  Laissez-Faire capitalism is vital to progress individual enterprise and initiative
• John Rawls on society

  The society most individuals would choose is one which allows unequal outcomes, but the condition of the poorest improves
• John Rawls on the economy

  Free-market capitalism should be tempered by the states obligation to advance its poorest citizens
• Thomas Hill Green on Society

  Society was fundamentally altered by industrialisation which in turn requires a reappraisal of ‘freedom’
• Thomas Hill Green on the Economy

  A free market economy is the most favourable to individualism but it can threaten equality of opportunity
• Betty Friedan on society

  Society remains chauvinistic towards women, though women are complicit in their actions
• Betty Friedan on the economy

  Free-market capitalism should be an ally of female emancipation, if allied to legislation precluding sexual discrimination