Liberalism: Key terminology, thinkers and essay plans

Egoistical individualism

Classical liberalism - individual freedom is best achieved through self-interest and self-reliance.

Developmental individualism

Modern liberalism - focuses on the advancement of individual potential and suggests true freedom is the ability to flourish.

Rationalism

The belief that humans are reason guided and logical creatures, capable of personal self-development and wider social progress.

Tolerance

A natural right that everyone should enjoy, ensuring liberty and freedom is maximized for all.

Social contract

A hypothetical agreement between the people and government where the people give up some freedoms for protection under the rule of law.

Mechanistic Theory

Theory that suggests the state is an artificial construct devised to protect individual freedoms.

Limited Government

The principle that government should be constrained by strong laws and entrenched constitutions.

Harm Principle

JS Mill's theory that state intervention is justified only when one person's actions restrict the freedom of others.

Negative freedom

Freedom from outside constraint, implying freedom from oppressive government and laws (Classical Liberalism)

Positive freedom

Freedom to develop and pursue individual goals and aspirations, linked to the idea of an enabling state (Modern Liberalism)

Night-watchman state

A minimal state that focuses on maintaining law and order and safeguarding natural rights.

Enabling State

A state that extends its reach to liberate individuals from socio-economic problems.

Foundational equality

The idea that we are all born with equal worth and enjoy certain inalienable natural rights.

Formal equality

Equality before the law, ensuring all are treated equally within the eyes of the law.

Equality of opportunity

The idea that everyone should have the same chances to achieve their goals, regardless of socio-economic background.

Meritocracy

A society where political power is exercised by those who are worthy of it, determined by effort and abilities.

Atomism

The idea that society is made up of self-interested and largely self-sufficient individuals rather than social groups.

Laissez-faire capitalism

Belief that a free market without state intervention is the most effective way to maximize individual freedom and create wealth.

Keynesian economics

A theory that supports state intervention and investment in the economy to protect workers and maintain stability.

Essay Plan: State

Agree: All liberals believe that society must have the state and that the state is a necessary evil. They also believe the state is formed based on social contract theory (Locke)

Disagree: Modern and classical liberals disagree over the extent of the role of the state. These differences are explained by their views on individualism: Modern liberals believe in developmental individualism and positive freedom whereas classical liberals believe in egoistical individualism and negative freedom.

Disagree: Modern and classical liberals disagree over the role of the state in the economy. Classical liberals believe in the state having a minimal role in a laissez faire economy whereas modern liberals support a Keynesian approach requiring a larger role in the economy. Classical liberals believe welfare and tax limits individual freedom (Locke) but Modern liberals believe it is at the heart of a free society (Rawls).

Essay Plan: Society

Agree: All liberals agree foundational equality is the basis of society and formal equality is enshrined in law as a part of a liberal society. (Wollstonecraft)

Disagree: Liberals disagree on the extent of the role the state should have in society. Classical liberals believe in a minimal state whereas modern liberals believe in an enabling state (Rawls). Classical liberals believe a state should only "prevent harm from others" but modern liberals believe it should have a larger role.

Disagree: Liberals disagree on how large the role of individualism should be in society. Classical liberals believe in egoistical individualism and modern liberals believe in developmental individualism. Classical liberals believe in negative freedom and modern liberals believe in positive freedom.

Essay Plan: Human nature

Agree: All liberals believe humans are of equal moral worth regardless of social constructs (gender/birth right) and that humans are rational creatures.

Disagree: Modern and classical liberals disagree on the nature of rationalism based on their view of individualism. Classical liberals believe in egoistical individualism (a more selfish form of rationalism) but modern liberals believe in developmental individualism meaning that humans are able to care for others despite being rational beings.

Disagree: Modern and classical liberals disagree on how humans are best able to flourish in society. Classical liberals believe humans best thrive when free from restrictions, Modern liberals believe in order to flourish humans need help to be free and possess an interest in wider society.

Essay Plan: Economy

Agree: All liberals support that the economy should enhance individual freedom and understand the importance of market capitalism

Disagree: Modern and classical liberals disagree over the extent of the role of the state in the economy - Classical liberals believe in laissez-faire economics but modern liberals believe in Keynesian economics (difference explained by contrasting views on the enabling state vs. the minimal state)

Disagree: Modern and classical liberals disagree on the role of welfare in the economy (Classical liberals believe welfare is a disincentive for self-improvement but modern liberals see it as key to a free society)

John Locke

Social contract theory (both sides have duties)

Limited government (State of law through protection of these rights)

Rejected divine right

State of nature 'tolerable and pleasant'

Individuals are rational

Mary Wollstonecraft

Reason (women rational)

Formal equality (women should have full civil liberties)

Inequality of 18th c women

Support for American and French revolutions

Importance of education (women appear inferior to men since they are uneducated)

John Stuart Mill

Harm principle

Tolerance (popular view =/= correct)

Negative freedom

Self regarding vs other regarding actions

Some government intervention

John Rawls

Wealth redistribution through welfare

Theory of justice

Thought experiment (veil of ignorance, original position)

Fairness through choice (VoI)

Difference principle (inequality tolerable if it didn't make those at the bottom worse off)

Betty Friedan

Concern for individualism

Cultural conditioning limited women

'Problem that has no name'

Legal equality

Liberal methods of campaigning (rejected radical feminism, reform within existing social structures)