LIBERALISM CONTENT

How do ideologies influence politics

• structure political understanding by setting goals and inspiring activism

• Shape the nature of political systems

• Act as a form of social cement

Key ideas of liberalism

• individualism

• Freedom/liberty

• State

• Rationalism

• Equality/social justice

• Liberal democracy

What was the enlightenment?

• intellectual and culture movement that spread through Europe in the 18th century

• Emphasised reason, individualism and skepticism

Key features of the enlightenment

• belief in the power of reason: to improve society and solve problems

• Emphasis on individualism: belief in the inherent value of the individual and rejected traditional notions of hierarchy and authority

• Skepticism: critical of traditional authority and institutions, and they sought to challenge and question established beliefs

• Belief in progress: optimistic about the potential for humanity to improve and progress over time.

• Commitment to reform: and improving the lives of ordinary people.

When was the first distinct liberal government?

1868 in the UK - Gladstone

Individualism: primacy of The individual

• feudalism replaced by a free market (capitalism) - giving people more choices and social possibilities, encouraging them to think for themselves

Classical liberals individualism

• egotistical individualism - individuals look after their own interests ahead of any collective interest, and therefore “society” does not exist

Modern liberals individualism

• developmental individualism; where freedom means that people can grow and develop, fulfilling their potential

• Suggests that some state intervention is needed

• Toleration is a key feature of a liberal society

Freedom/liberty in liberalism

• negative freedom - the absence of restrictions on an individuals freedom to act, by bodies such as the state. Mill argues that “self-regarding” actions should never be limited

• Positive freedom: the ability of individuals to decide what they will/wont do, as they have been allowed to develop their potential. TH green argued that people should also pursue interests for the common goals of a society

State in liberalism

• a “necessary evil”

• Believe that the liberty of one person is always naturally a threat to another person

• Believe a sovereign state is the only way in which individual freedom can be persevered for all

• Believe in a constitution which creates a limited government with checks and balances

• State civility should be limited in economy - laissez-faire capitalism, where the economy is organised by the market, and therefore is a free exchange of goods and services

Rationalism in liberalism

• belief that humans are rational creatures, capable of reason and logic

• Optimistic view towards human nature and are therefore governed by reason, so should be entrusted with a such freedom as possible

• Idea of free will

• Importance of human happiness

Equality and social justice

• emphasis on equality of opportunity: each person should have to same chance to rise or fall in society

• Traditional liberalism based on a belief in foundational equality - people ar born equal. Implies a belief in formal equality: individuals should enjoy the same legal and political rights in society, ensured by equality before the law and equal voting rights in free and fair elections

Liberal democracy

• type of representative democracy which encourages political, social, and economic competition between political parties and pressure groups

• Developed by thinkers such as Adam smith, who felt that individuals should have reasonable freedom, particularly in trade and business

Classical liberalism

• born out of the fall of the “old order” and the birth of capitalism

• Characterised by:

• Egoistical individualism

• Society: atomistic, composed of largely self-sufficient individuals

• Negative freedom: absence of external constraints

• State: a “necessary evil” - belief in a minimal state. Locke states it should act as a “nightwatchman” and be limited to maintainance of order, enforcement of contracts and the protection of society against attack

• Positive view of civil society: eg. Self-regulating market economy

When was the turning point from classical to modern liberalism?

• late 19th century

• Industrialism had bought great wealth for some, but extreme poverty for others

• Social inequality becoming harder to ignore

• Many liberals starting to question the notion that unlimited individualism and self interest led to a just society

• Minimal state unable to deal with the inequalities that were becoming so apparent

Modern liberalism key ideas

• individualism

• Positive freedom (freedom to)

• Social liberalism

• Economic management

Aims of the liberal state

• rejection of divine right and absolutist states

• Establishing government by consent

• Promotion of natural rights and individualism

• Promotion of tolerance

• Meritocracy

• Equality of opportunity

• Justice

What must the state be for liberals

• constitutional / limited: clear contract with checks and balances

• Fragmented: as many individuals as possible need to be involved to check the limits of the power of others

• Formal equality: has to have a basis of foundational equality which requires the rule of law, and equal legal and political rights

Liberal view on human nature

• positive and progressive based on rationalism, rejecting the view that humans are limited

Atomism

• belief that society is made up of a collection of self-interested and largely self sufficient individuals, rather than social groups

Egoism

• concern for ones own welfare or interests

• Or the theory that the pursuit of self interest is an ethical priority