POLITICS - IDEAS - ORIGINS OF LIBERALISM

how can liberalism be defined

• a social/political and economic philosophy that promotes freedom,individual rights,civil liberties and free enterprise

origins of liberalism

• traced back to 16th century, martin luther protestant

• emphasised individualistic approach to christianity

• everyone should udnertake their own individual communication and relationship with god - not relying on priests and pope

whats the enlightenment

• these religious ideas extended into general politics

• focused on reason over religion, free thinkinh over blind faith and rationality over superstition

• aimed to replace medieval ideas with more tolerant attitudes

what ideas did JOHN LOCKE introduce

• believed humans were inheritently rational

• people are born with natural rights

• authority is only legitimate with the consent of those it governs (democ)

• if a gov violates natural rights , citizens have the right to overthrow it

what are natural rights

universal, fundamental and inalienable rights

how did his ideas differ from the staus quo

• autocratic (ruler w absolute power) was considered natural and normal

• challenged the idesa monarchs were appointed by god to rule

whats mechanist theory

the idea people can change the state and society based on reason

what is foundational equality

the principle that all humans are born with the same worth and same rights

what events were inspired by such liberal ideas

• us war of idep - social contract breached - gov not working in ppls interest or had their consent

• french revolution

what are the 4 components of the liberal view of human nature

• egotistical

• rational

• progressive

• optimistic

why do liberalos believe human nature is egotistical

• argue each human is unique and have the natural rights to life liberty and self fufilment

• argue humans are driven by self interest seeking to achieve self realisation, self determination and self fulfillment

what is self realisation, self determination and self fulfillment

• self realisation , discovering true and unique selves and goals free from external constraints and unhindered by conventions

• self determination , to ensure we are the masters of our own fate and the outcomes in our lives are based off our own efforts

• self fufillment, full utilisation of our natural rights and made the most of our talents and potential

what do liverlas believe happens when these 3 things are denied + feminist view

• humans are demoralised and de-energised , feel wasting life

• lib feminist betty friedan said women in post war america were increasingley becoming depressed and suicidal due to being expected to be housewives and not having sufficient self realisation

why do libs believe human nature is to be rational

• blieve behaviour is rational and therefore respectful to others , guided by reason

• if their is not respect for others in their pursuit of self realisation this may result in others not respecting our own pursuit

• human nature self centered vut also empahtetic and understanding

why do libs think human nature is progressive

• argue human nature is constantly progresssing

• over time humans develop knowlege and an understanding

• why libs emphaisise universal education

why do libs think its human nature to be optimistic

• argue human nature has the capacity to progress and increase happiness

• believe through rational discussion and debate solutions to problems will be found

• barack obama ‘yes we can’

what is the ‘state of nature’

• the state of nature refres to a thought experiment used to consider what society was like pre state

what do libs believe pre state nature was like

• life was generally effcient

• john locke belived in a state of nature due to rationality being part of human nature , people would observe natural rights and natural law and natural justuce would be implemented

libs believe for a society to be legitimate it must:

• respect natural rights - most importantly freedom

• enable individualism, self realisation, self determination and self fullfillment

• esnure these rights apply to all including minorities

• equality of opportunity of these groups

• tolerance , embracing individualism means people must tolerate those who express their individualism in other ways

why do liberals believe in property rights

• property is a natural right , locke argued property rights are derived from the labour of individuals

• property rights are the basis of social order , keep society stable establish rules for co-existence

• promote economic effciecy and propserity, knowing they will reap the benefits of their labour people are more likely to invest and innovate

• property rights enable self realisation, allow individuals to express , pursuit of ones goals

what do liberals think about capitalism

• argue capatalism allows individuals to make their own choices about what to produce consume and invest

• rewards those who peform well, y , people innovate to beat competition driving progress and growth

• its a meritocratic system

• inequality is justified as long as its based upon merit

whats meant by a meritocratic system

• a system where individuals are rewarded based upon their abilities and efforts rather than their social staus and backgrounf

• everyone has equality of oppurtunity but no equality of outcome