POLITICS - IDEAS - LIBERALISM N THE STATE

what do liberals believe the role of the state should be

liberals belive the state is important so to facilitate self realisation, self determination and self fulfillment

how does this differ from anarchists views on the state

• anarchists believe the state should be abolished in order to maximise individual freedom

how did liberalism critique the state pre enlightenment

• liberalism argued against the medieval principle of the divine right of kings

• they argued against arbitrary use of power and advocated for governments that respected natural rights

what is the social contract

• john lockes social contract theory suggest ppl wld only leave a state of nature for a governed society if it have them some form of advantage

• also outlines if said advantages stop , citizens are entitled to declare the state illegitimate

• like us war indep

• effectively the agreement between the gov and ppl in which the ppl consent to being governed

what do libs believe the main objective of the state shld be

• improve upon individuals natural rights - life liberty property and self fufilment

• provides a framework making it easier for individuals to excercise their natural rights

what is equal oppurtunity

• it is the role of the state to break down the barriers preventing inequality of oppurtunity

• libs believe all humans have equal natural rights therefore the state must make sure this is the case

do libs care about equality of outcome

• classical libs do not hold issue with some in society having more than others, granted it is based upon individual merit and effort

why do libs think the state is important for tolerance

• state should protect freedom of speech , religion , expression (individual choice)

what is the harm principle

john stuart mills harm principle outlines how a state shld promote tolerance , it asserts

• the liberty of an individual should only be restricted to prevent harm to others

• this allows for a diverse expression of individuality and beliefs , as long as it doesnt infringe upon others

how do libs think the state should be structured

• constitutional framework vital , limiting the govs power and maiing sure it acts in citizens interests (usa)

• constitution should ensure equality and protect rights

• it should also set out how power is distributed across the diff branches of gov

• eg their is a strcit seperation of powers in usa meaning 1 person cant get too powerful

why do some liberal thinkers not agree with universal suffrage (voting)

• liberals believe heavily in natural rights which shld not be impeded

• john locke believed votes shldnt be given to non property owners as this would threaten the natural rights of porperty owners to own property

• also believed if votes given to ‘uneducated’ this could lead to a lack of tolerance towards minorities and threaten their natural rights to individual expression (eg religion)

what term did john stuart mill use for minority rights being overuled by majority

• tyranny of the majority

what is the modern liberal view of democracy

• representative democracy as opposed to direct democ/refs

• this is due to refs being decided by the majority and may well conflict with natural rights of minorities

what do modern libs believe about policy making by gov

• governments should be constrained by supreme courts and unelected judges

• these courts can prevent policies from governments if they believe it infringes upon natural rights of groups

• most lib states have a doc that outlines the rights it protects , this means certain policies cannot be enacted even if popular amongst voters

what do libs think about parliamentary sovereignty

• typically against parliamentary sovereignty

• fear absoloute power of an elective body could lead to policies that infringe upon the natural rights of minorities being implemented

• seeks to protect against a elective dictatorship (w majority gov can pass p much whatev it wants)

when did classicsl liberalism emerge + name the 3 key thinkers

• john locke

• john stuart mill

• mary wollstonecraft

3 key principles of classical liberalism

• negative liberty, freedom from interference unless caused harm to others

• minimal government

• laissez-fare capitalism, free market system , minimal state economic intervention

what did classical liberals believe about democracy

• early classical libs like john locke advocated for restricting voting rights , specifically against non property owners because they would infringe upon property owners natural property rights

• later classical libs believed in extending the franchise but were still wary of democ

how did lockes view of the state differ from the trad medieval view

• rejected the idea the state was part of gods creation , against divine right of kings

• rejected the notion ppl are subjects of the state and have to obey the monarchs rulings

• argued a legitimiate state wld be one created by man kind in order to serve man kinds interests - and had to have the ppls consent to be governed

how did lockes view of the state of nature differ to conservatives like thomas hobbes

• locke described the state of nature as being one that is rational and upheld natural rights , natural laws and natural justice

• this differed to conservative thomas hobebs view who saw the state of nature as nasty and brutish

according to john locke under what conditions is a state legitimate

• one created by mankind and serves mankinds interest

• has the consent to govern

what was john lockes ‘state of law’

• the state of law (the state) wld only be legitimate if it respected natural rights and natural laws and posed some advantages over the state of nature for individuals

how owuld john lockes ideal state be

• wld reflect citizens consent to be governed in return for the state improving their situation (the social contract theory)

• limited government with pre outlined rules (like constitution)

• seperation of powers to prevent abuse of power

what was mary wollstonecrafts primary claim regarding the enlightenments view of nature

• the enlightenments view that human nature is guided by reason should apply to men and women

• argued women denied equality and individual freedom as society and state implied they werent rational , eg women were rarely allowed own propert or employed

• women couldnt vote so this was a violation of the social contract as women could not consent to governance

what was mary wollstencrafts view on the american and french revolutions

• welcomed the revolutions

• stressed support for a republican (dem) government , fromal equality and a constitution protecting individual rights

• such formal equality must be granted to men and women

why did mary wollstencraft believe women were complicit in their own subjagation

• women at the time generally only desired marriage and motherhood

• for this to be corrected she argued formal education shld be available to as many women as possible

• with such education women would be able to develop their rationality , realise their individual potential

what was john stuart mills harm principle

the principle that others individuals actions shld be tolerated by the state and individuals unless such actions pose harm to others

how did the harm principle split actions into 2 categories

john stuart mills harm principle split actions into

• self regarding, actions like religious worship and expression of views , actions that didnt restrict other freedoms and shld therefore be tolerated

• other regarding , actions such as violent behaviour which harmed the freedim if others - these shld be forbidden by law

why did john stuart mills advocate for universal education

• he wanted to maximise individuals personal development and enable societal progression

• argued without education ppl couldnt make educated decisions , possible leading to tyranny of majority - endangering minority rights

• education would help individuals achieve self realisation

how did john stuart mill bridge the gap between modern and classical liberalism

• mill supported state funded and provided education

• this raised questions of compatibility with minimal gov

• jsm argued gov intervention in education was justified as it benefited society as a whole

• his willingness to use the role of the state to achieve social benefit shows a shift in liberal thought towards modern liberalism

what were john staurt mills views on womens rights

• early advocate for granting women the vote

• argued exclusion of women from politics hindered the development of society

• argued society would only reach its full potential when their is equality between the sexes

whats the difference between john lockes individualism and mills indiviudality

• lockes ideal society is one are left alone free from state interference , mill focuses on societal progress

• lockes belief in meritocracy means individuals shld succeed or fail based upon their abilities and efforts

• mill belives in meritocracy but believed the state shld take meaasures to maximise the number of people achieving success (education)

• mills appraoch support some gov intervention

what is utilitariansim

• an approach where decisions should be based on what would achieve the greatest happiness or least suffering for the greatest number of people

• john stuart mills adoption of this led to a shift in liberlaism towards a focus on achieving desirable societal outcomes rather than js leaving people to be free