Types of Liberalism: Modern

When do modern liberal ideas originate from?

Late C19th → Present

What characterises modern liberalism?

• Positive freedom

• Enlarged and enabling state

• Constitutional reform/liberal democracy

• Social liberalism

How did the ‘new liberals’ redefine liberty

Shift towards positive freedom

What is positive freedom?

The freedom to do something

How do new liberals think that positive freedom should be brought about?

Gaining a more cooperative and altruistic understanding of freedom

→ Helping others to help themselves

What are some examples of new liberals?

• T.H. Green

• L.T. Hobhouse

• J.A. Hobson

How did the new liberals respond to industrial society?

Challenged classical liberal assumptions

• Individuals are no longer naturally autonomous due to powerful socio-economic forces outside their control

• These forces limited self-determination and individual fulfilment

• Social justice needed to ensure individuals could reach their full potential

What did modern liberalism argue about the state?

A larger state could address socio-economic threats to freedom and individualism

What is an example of a key modern liberal thinker?

John Rawls

How did modern liberals justify substantial expansion of the state?

In the name of individual liberty

How was this liberal view of the state criticised?

Claimed this betrayed classical liberalism and blurred the line between liberalism and socialism

What did Rawls argue about the enlarged state?

• Required progressive taxation, necessary and good

• Enabling state was consistent with liberal principles (e.g. government by consent)

What did Rawls argue about modern liberalism?

• Aimed to improve the lives of the least fortunate through state intervention

• BUT still indifferent to inequality of outcome

• Focus on opportunity and potential

What do modern liberals believe about inequality of outcome?

• Inevitable side effect of freedom

• Key difference with socialism

What did Rawls say was the priority when discussing outcome?

• To ameliorate the social and economic condition of society’s most deprived members

• Enable them to exploit their individual potential and achieve control of their lives

• As long as this occurred, the gap in society was a secondary concern

What did Hobhouse say about constitutional reform?

‘If the state is to be enlarged, it must also be improved’

What are some examples of UK demands for liberal reforms?

• Codification of the constitution

• Devolution of power

• Electoral reform (PR)

• More accountable House of Lords

What do UK liberals support?

• Universal adult suffrage

• Little interest in direct democracy

• Human Rights Act

• Supranational bodies (e.g. EU)

What is meant by social liberalism?

How do modern liberals revise classical liberalism’s position on toleration?

• Argue that society has discriminated against minorities

• Promote greater toleration and equality of opportunity

• Consistent with view of positive freedom and the enabling state

Where do modern liberals think state intervention should be focused?

State intervention should discriminated in favour of groups who have suffered historical discrimination

What is an example of social liberalism?

1942 Beveridge Report

• Foundation of post-war welfare state

• Threats included:

  • Poverty

  • Unemployment

  • Poor education

  • Poor housing

  • Poor healthcare

• Could only overcome through extensive state provision

What did Betty Friedan argue about Mill’s harm principle?

Under the principle, laws criminalising sexuxal discrimination were designed to prevent some female individuals having their freedoms ‘harmed’ by others

What are the arguments that modern liberalism HAS abandoned the principles of classical liberalism? (5)

• Changing view of freedom, shift to positive

• Champion an enlarged, enabling state

• See increased taxation as the key method for implementing positive freedom

• Keynesian economics seeks to manage market forces

• Championed representative democracy, not just rights of property owners

What are the arguments that modern liberalism HAS NOT abandoned the principles of classical liberalism? (5)

• Both have an optimistic view of human potential

• Both believe in rationalism and tolerance of minorities

• Both see individualism as the goal, only differ on how to achieve this

• Both believe in capitalism and oppose state ownership of the economy

• Both believe in a constitutional limited state and government by consent