To What Extent Are Liberals United In Their Views On Society? (24)

AGREE Society should promote individual freedom

Classical liberals:

John Locke - humans lived in a natural society government by natural laws, liberties and rights, where individuals generally respected one another

Mary Wollstonecraft - education should be available to all to help individuals reach their full potential

Modern liberals: more state intervention to achieve individual freedom

John Rawls - under the veil of ignorance rational individuals would design a society that supports the poorest to ensure fairness whilst ensuring opportunity for individual liberty and self-fulfilment

AGREE Society should protect minority rights

Classical Liberals

John Stuart Mill - actions of indiviudals should be tolerated as long as they don't harm others

John Locke - defended state toleration of religious groups.

Modern Liberals

Betty Friedan - society must tolerate minority and oppressed groups. Cultural conditioning limited women's potential and supported state intervention like affirmative action to overcome this discrimination.

DISAGREE Views of modern liberals are much more radical than classical liberals. (Wollstonecraft exception)

Classical liberals:

John Locke - strong belief in a limited state that exists to protects property and individual rights. Opposed mandatory taxation

Wollstonecraft and Modern Liberals: support a transformative approach to society

Mary Wollstonecraft - criticised 18th century society that denied women formal equality and freedom (e.g. women couldn't vote). Women should have the same rights as men.

John Rawls - advocated for an enabling state that used progressive taxation and a large welfare state to improve equality

DISAGREE Different ideas of what freedom/liberty is

Classical Liberals: believe in negative liberty therefore minimal state intervention

John Locke - argued for a "nightwatchman state" that should only intervenes to settle disputes and protect rights.

Modern Liberals: believe in positive liberty therefore the state should intervene to remove economic and social constraints

John Rawls - supported state intervention to achieve foundational equality.