State

what approach do Liberals believe works best when there is a state

individualism

why do liberals think the state needs to exist

the states existence may be necessary for bolstering concepts of capitalism and individualism.

what do liberals accept despite their optimistic view of human nature

they still accept that in the ‘state of nature’ there would have been disagreements between individuals pursing their own interests

what do liberals think the state ought to provide

a structural basis to ensure the rights of individuals are maintained

what do liberals sim to achieve in regards to disputes

ensure equitable resolutions of disputes between individuals, resolutions of disputes relating to property and ownership etc

what did Locke believe the best way to resolve disputes was

best way to resolve these disputes was through the state

what the analogy of a football match in repairing disputes

Compare this to a football match, this could still occur without a referee, but it would be fairer if a referee were present, even though it would mean players being restricted in what they could do and occasionally punished

whats the objective of a liberal state

if a state is going to exist, it must exist under several conditions which they implement

what are the conditions which liberals think the state should only exist under

• rejection of traditional state

• government by consent

• promotion of natural rights

• promotion of tolerance

• meritocracy

• equality of opportunity

• justice

• power to the people

• rejection of the pre-enlightenment style of the state where power is centralised

• rejection of the existence of absolute monarchy

what do liberals believe in regards to government by consent

• the state must be ‘servant of the people’

• rejection of the divine right of kings

• government by contract

what approach to the state do liberal believe

a bottom- up approach rather than top-down (political authority comes from the people instead of the state being all powerful body over the people)

when do liberals believe the state has the right to remove individuals natural rights

to ensure the promotion of the individualism of others

why does a liberal state ensure tolerance

so anyone can express their individualism and natural rights

what does JS Mill belive the state should promote

the state should promote any king of actions and opinions so long as they do not harm others

whats the liberal belief of meritocracy

that the state should reward on merit, and no other consideration as aristocracy has no place in the liberal state

why do liberals believe in meritocracy

they believe everyone is born equally and has natural tights and equal rights under the law

what do liberals believe about some people doing better in life than others

is not necessarily an issue as they believe in equality of opportunity, not of outcome

whats does Locke say about the state overall

the state is preferable to the state of nature and that the social contract gave people the right to rebel against the state if it abused its power

what does John Stuart Mill say about the state overall

the state should tolerate all actions and opinions unless they harmed others and that property ownership is the ‘prism’ through which individuals develop their potential

what did Betty Friedan say about the state overall

the state should act to improve the lives of minorities and women