the state

• liberals, from John Locke and Adam Smith onwards, believe that individualism and capitalism work best when accompanied by a certain kind of state
• Liberalism takes an optimistic view of human nature, it still accepts that, within the state of nature, there would have been clashes of interests between individuals pursuing their own, egocentric agendas
• Social contract


  The idea that the people agree to give up some freedom to the state in return for security
• The government rules by consent and the people have the right to rebel
• Classical liberals

  • Believe in limited government, with checks and balances, the separation of powers, decentralisation and a constitution to prevent abuses of power
• Negative liberty

  The state only interferes with individuals' actions if they threaten the freedom of others
• Modern liberals

  Believe state intervention should increase to enable people to reach their potential