4.2 Liberalism Applied Principles

CL Human Nature

Rational: Rationalism

• capable of reason and logic

• responsibility

• move away from blind faith towards reason

Individual: Individualism

• atomism

• egoistical individualism

Free: Freedom + liberty

• negative freedom

• laws strengthen freedom

ML Human Nature

Rationalism

• capable of reason + logic

• emphasise learning through responsibility

• scientific thinking + secularism

Individualism

• developmental individualism

• intervention required but minimised

Freedom

• naturally independent

• positive freedom

• individual + common good

CL State

Preservation of Order: The State

• night watchman state

• law and order

• separation of powers

Limited: Liberal Democracy

• free elections

• limited gov

• civil liberties

• constitutionalism

  • electoral college

Interventionist: Equality + Social Justice

• non interventionist

• equality of opportunity

• foundational equality

ML State

Preservation of Order: The State

• enabling state

Limited: Liberal Democracy

• pro democracy (accountability participation + education)

• pluralism

• mechanistic theory

  • limited government

  • checks and balances

Interventionist: Equality and Social Justice

• some intervention

• decentralisation of power for minority voice

CL Society

Without Restriction: Freedom + Liberty

• negative freedom

• utilitarianism

• atomism

• meritocracy

Without Obligation: Individualism

• atomist (no common good)

• egoistical individualism

• tolerance

Equal: Equality + Social Justice

• foundational equality

• meritocracy

• social inequality (incentivisation)

ML Society

Without restriction: Freedom + Liberty

• positive freedom

• self-fulfilment

• negative freedom is freedom to starve

• common good

Without obligation: Individualism

• developmental

• fair society with minimal inequality

• tolerance (sexual)

  • Obama NC trans rights

Equal: Equality + Social Justice

• narrowed inequalities

• formal equality

  • UN disability treaty

CL Economy

minimal intervention: The State

• laissez-faire

• self-interest

welfare: Equality + SJ

• Social Darwinism

• competition

• inequality

competitive: Individualism

• egoistical

• rational

• independent

ML Economy

limited intervention: The State

• enabling state

• Keynesianism

• sustainable growth + employment

welfare: Equality + SJ

• moderate welfare

• ‘New Liberals’

• Asquith reforms: pensions + NI

competitive: Individualism

• deregulation results in poverty + social injustic

• welfare measures

• developmental individualism

Adam Smith quote

“It is not form the benevolence of the butcher… that we expect our dinner but from their regard for their own interest”

Herbert Spencer

• classical proponent of social darwinism

• success tied to economic prosperity

• people must compete for successes