Intro to Liberalism Social 30-1

Individualism

Individualism is the political and social philosophy that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual, advocating for personal autonomy, self-reliance, and the pursuit of one's own goals over the interests of the collective

Rule of Law

A term associated with individualism - the idea that everyone is equal before the law and that laws should apply uniformly regardless of status

Individuals rights and freedoms

Entitlements and protections given to everyone such as the freedom of expression, religion, association etc.

Private property

Property such as land, intellectual property, and physical items owned by an individual
(Nuance is that exclusive use is not absolute e.g., loud house parties)

Economic freedom

The freedom to buy and sell to whomever in a free market system where government intervention is limited and the economic prosperity is left to the individual

Self interest/competition

The idea that economic freedom is the most beneficial/efficient to the economy when individuals act in their own self-interest which creates market competition

Collectivism:

Prioritizes the common good over the individual and that the rights of the group outweigh the rights of the individual

Economic equality

Largely a collectivist term - Everyone has enough for their needs
Can be obtained through redistribution of wealth or increasing taxes for the rich

Cooperation

Collectivist term - The actions members of a group/collective take to achieve common goals

Public Property

Collectivist term - anything owned by the state/community and is managed to serve the collective

Collective interest

Individual interests that are brought together to form a set of common interests that benefits the whole (basis of unions)

Collective responsibility

The idea that a group should b e held responsible for the actions of a member in that group
- Can be used to oppress a society e.g., North Korea - when someone escapes the family is punished

Adherence to collective norms

Groups impose of a set of standards/expectations to which individuals voluntarily choose to adhere to them to be a part of the group

What does the political spectrum encompass and what are the different perspectives

The political spectrum focuses on attitudes toward change
Left - Radical: Revolutionary, believes in extreme change, violence can be used
Centre left: Small changes
Centre Right: In favour of keeping tradition
Reactionary: Idealizes the past, wants to return to the “Good old days,” violence is okay

Authoritarian

Believes that state control is necessary for keeping stability and security

Illiberalism

The state takes more control and removed individual rights under the guise of security

Democracy

Individual freedom is of the ultimate importance

How did the Renaissance contribute to classical liberalism

Emphasized the importance individuals, reasoning, and scientific inquiry above God (humanism) and encouraged individuals to reach their full potential (self-actualization)
The renaissance gave importance to education and gave people the idea that they could learn without a priest

How did the scientific revolution contribute to classical liberalism

• Heliocentric model was made which emphasized the idea that the church could be challenged

• Prioritized evidence and reasoning

• Used the scientific method to discover things

Significance of the reformation

• split between catholic and protestant church

• People began to question the church

• Rise of individualism

• People began to come up with their own interpretations of the people

Why was the renaissance, the scientific rev, and the reformation collectively significant

These three eras led toward enlightenment thinking which placed emphasis on the individual and that humans could reason. Moreover, it also supported democratic values and that citizens have the authority. 

Classical Liberalism

• Advocates for individual rights and responsibilities and that government roles are restricted to ensure security and the rule of law

• Individual rights and responsibilities are the priority and that people should act in their self-interests

• Humans are reasonable and rational and can make good decisions

• Economic freedom

• Protect individual rights and limit government power

Social Contract

Humans enter a society and accept to be governed for their safety

Thomas Hobbes

• Humans are selfish and naturally in a state of war

• Believes that if humans are free, everyone would be in danger

• Humans must enter a social contract to ensure security and order and they cannot rebel once entered.

• Believes in absolute ruler (leviathan = divine right)

John Locke

• Believed humans were naturally intelligent and could make rational decisions

• Believed that everyone had the right to Life, liberty, and property

• The government's role was to protect these rights, and if the government failed to do so, then humans had the right to rebel

• Government should create laws that protect the rights of the people and enforce them for public good

• Power is with the people and not God

Montesquieu

Advocated for the separation of powers (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) that were independent from each other so one could not influence the other 

Rousseau

• Believed that humans were born good but was corrupted by society, humans are “in chains”

• Power should be completely with the people and that humans should make their own laws 

• General will of the people should be the absolute authority 

• Against representative democracy

Voltaire

Advocated for freedom of expression, speech, religion, etc

Supported an enlightened monarch

DONT USE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY

John Stuart Mill

• Believed in individual rights and freedom and championed for individual decision making 

• Limits could only be placed on people freedoms of those freedoms were being used to infringe on the freedoms of others 

• No harm principle 

• Advocated against tyranny of the majority (believed that elected governments represented the views of the majority, and that this could be used to oppress the minority) 

• Supported women's rights 

Mary Wollstonecraft

• Argued for the rights of all women 

• Used arguments from the French Revolution to contend that women need quality education to become useful  

Classical Conservatism

A rejection of political liberalism - wants to return to the past

• Society should be constructed through a hierarchy

• Only educated citizens can vote

• Leaders should be humanitarian and responsible for the welfare of others

• Society was meant to be stable and this is only possible through law, order, and traditional customs

Edmund Burke

• Believed that change should not be made with only the present in mind but should consider the past and the future 

• Only educated people should be in government to control the irrational passions of the uneducated