key terms for liberalism

foundational equality

• rights that all humans have by virtue of being born which cannot be taken away (aka natural rights)

formal equality

• the idea that all individuals have the same legal/political rights in society

equality of opportunity

• the idea that all individuals should have equal chances in life to rise/fall

social contract

• the idea that the state/society is set up w agreement from the people to respect its laws which serve to protect them 

meritocracy

• a society organised on the basis that success is based on ability and hard work

mechanistic theory

• the idea that the state was created by ‘man’ to serve the people and act in their interests 

tolerance

• a willingness to respect values, customs and beliefs with which one disagrees

limited government

• the role of government is limited by checks and balances, and a separation of powers because of the corrupting nature of humans

egoistical individualism

• the idea that individual freedom is associated w self interest and self reliance 

developmental individualism

• the idea that individual freedom is linked to human flourishing 

negative freedom

• the absence of external constraints in society as well as no interference in the private sphere

positive freedom

• the idea that freedom is about personal fulfilment and realisation of potential 

laissez-faire capitalism

• an economic system, organised by the market, where goods are produced for exchange and profit, and wealth is privately owned

Keynesianism 

• an economic system that requires government involvement to stimulate the economy to achieve full employment and price stability

harm principle

• the idea that individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals 

minimal state

• the idea that the role of the state must be restricted in order to preserve individual liberty

enabling state

• a larger state that helps individuals to achieve their potential and be free