Liberalism

• Liberalism was that derived from the enlightenment period of the 17th-18th century. The discovery of science and movement away from faith brought about the ideas of liberalism.
• Liberalisms central idea is individualism. This meant that we have the right to enjoy maximum freedom and therefore individuals rights were put above group or society rights
• The idea of rational human nature also led to freedom and equality to become central ideas in liberalism.
• Classical liberals believe in egotistical individualism where the individual should act in their self-interest and self-reliance. This is because they believe that we are people who seek to satisfy our own needs and wants.
• Modern liberals however believe in developmental individualism, where we have freedom under the law which puts personal development and humans flourishing as priority.
• utilitarianism - The greatest good for the greatest number of people is the greatest good for all people. This belief was promoted by John Stuart Mill.
• John Stuart Mill - 'The only time that power can be rightfully exercised against a persons will is to prevent harm to another. His own good, physical or moral is not a sufficient warrant.'
• John Stuart Mill linked to individualism as he said 'the only freedom... is that of pursing our own good in our own way'.
• Freedom is the ability to act as one wishes and this is linked with liberty being free from restrictions.
• Classical liberals believe in negative freedom where we should be able to act however we want until we contradict with the law
• Positive freedom is the belief that freedom should be under the law to allow for one to achieve their own potential and therefore should be limits on freedom by the state.
• Mary wollstonecraft celebrated freedom for all including women. This meant that women should be able to choose their own husbands and have the right to divorce.
• Wollstonecraft said that 'the divine right of husbands like the divine right of kings may...be contested without danger. This showed how she promoted freedom of speech for women.
• Liberals saw the state as a necessary evil. In which it can oppose their freedom but also prevent disorder.
• The state can only act with the consent of the people so should be limited. This links to John Locke's social contract theory.
• Classical liberals believe in minimal state intervention whereas moderns believe that the state should still provide education and welfare making a mixed economy as well.
• Classical liberals are against state intervention as they believe it makes individuals complacent. This is because money motivates success as a reward to those willing.
• Liberals are not anti-state but agree on some cases;

  -justice

  -to guarantee human rights (agree on written constitutions like US)

  -law and order

  -to set up proper + constitutional govt.
• Laisse faire = 'let it be'
• Classical liberals believed that the economy should operate laisse faire
• Social darwinism was also used as a reason by no state welfare,believing that we shouldn't actively help the poor. Richard cobben agreed with this saying Improvements in thier lives should come through 'thier own efforts and self- reliance ,rather than the law.'
• Herbert Spencer was more extreme saying survival of the fittest allowed society to become stronger therefore it was natural for some to be poor
• Workhouses were examples of classical liberals idea on how the poor should be treated
• Modern liberals question classic by asking the question how are those born into poverty going to achieve self-realisation and sycess in an uneven playing field.
• Modern libs believe in positive freedom where there laws protect and enable citizens to achieve their full potential.