key THEMES of liberalism

human nature

• For liberals, individuals are naturally self-seeking and self-serving - hence liberalism's association w egotistical individualism - and naturally drawn to a situation where they're independent and in charge of their own destiny

• Yet according to liberalism, it's mankind's innate rationality and virtue that stop this leading to destructive selfishness and competition

• Individuals are both egotistical and reasonable, making them sensitive to the perspectives of their fellow men and women

• This ensures that, for liberals, the natural condition of human nature is one of self-aware individuals, living in peace, harmony and mutual understanding

• Believe people are rational enough to act in a way that allows for development and growth of self and of society

 

the state

• liberals want a state because

  • Allowed for the more effective resolution of disputes between individuals

  • Rejection of the sort of European state system where power is concentrated in the hands of one individual and where that power is exercise randomly (aristocracy)

• Liberalism insists that the state is only legitimate if those under its jurisdiction have consented to be governed

• Individuals should be free to do/say anything and it should be tolerated unless it would harm the rights/freedoms of other individuals within the state

• The state is a necessary evil

Meritocracy

• Gov should only be conducted by individuals who, by their own efforts and talents, have won the trust of the governed

Aristocracy

• Circumstances of birth trumping individual ability

 

• Foundational - all individuals are born equal, have equal natural rights and are of equal value

• Legal equality - since all born equal individuals are entitled to legal equality before the law and equal recognition of individual rights

• Equality of opportunity - all should be allowed similar opportunities to develop their potential

• Individuals within the liberal state must be able to assume a just outcome from any complaints they express and therefore a satisfactory resolution to any grievances they have w other individuals

society

• The liberal belief of a 'natural society' where certain 'natural rights' are enjoyed helps explain why liberals place so much important upon individuals

• The main purpose of any civilised society - natural or manufactured - is to facilitate individualism

• Liberals believe the default setting of any society is a focus upon individual freedom and that any society which seeks to deny individualism is dysfunctional

• They believe this because individuals are rational in pursuit of self interest and that individuals are egoistical, and individuals wish to fulfil their potential and be independent and self reliant

economy

• Economic liberalism

  • Another term for capitalism, an economic system that emerged in Europe in the late 17thC

  • Involves private property, it is an individualistic in theory, involving individual traders cooperating and competing. It is thought to be of ultimate benefit to all - revealing liberalism's eternal optimism and belief in progress

• Liberalism has been strongly associated w private enterprise and private ownership of the economy

• Want a free economy - Laissez-faire

• Liberalism's endorsement of capitalism is strongly linked to its positive view of human nature

• Adam Smith asserted that if obstacles to free trade were swept away, the 'invisible hand' of market forces would guide traders to success, resulting wealth would trickle down to everyone and the wealth of nations would be promoted globally

• In making these confident assertions, Smith was clearly reflecting optimistic tone of liberalism's core values