differing views and tensions within liberalism

egoistical individualism definition

• concept that humans are rational, self-interested and self-reliant, driven to satisfy their own needs

developmental individualism definition

• concept that human flourishing requires individuals to grow, develop and reach their full potential rather than just pursuing self-interest

negative freedom definition

• concept that defines liberty as the absence of external constraints or state interference

positive freedom definition

• concept that defines liberty as having the capability, opportunity and empowerment to act, rather than just the absence of constraints

laissez-faire capitalism definition

• free-market economic system with minimal government intervention

keynesianism definition

• concept that advocates for active state intervention to manage the economy by using fiscal policy to ensure full employment and stability

individualism - classical liberalism

• Classical liberals believe in egoistical individualism:

  • Self-reliance

  • Self-restraint

  • Self-sufficiency

  • Atomism - belief that society is constructed from self-interested, rational and independent individuals rather than organic communities or classes

freedom - classical liberalism

• Classical liberals believe in negative freedom:

  • Left alone

  • Free from interference

  • Unrestricted

  • Idea that you can do anything unless it causes others harm

state - classical liberalism

• Classical liberals believe in a limited state, with minimal state intervention - the role of the state is seen as purely to ensure property was secure, contracts were honoured and justice is enacted

  • Nightwatchman state in the background

  • Harm principle - allowed to do anything as long as it doesn’t cause others harm

economy - classical liberalism

• Classical liberals believe in free-market laissez faire capitalism with limited government intervention in economics

rationalism - classical liberalism

• Classical liberals understand human nature as based in rationality but also believe humans are self-seeking, self-reliant individuals who flourish most when left alone

• Classical liberals recognise an atomistic approach as one in which humans thrive

individualism - modern liberalism

• Modern liberals believe in developmental individualism:

  • Flourish

  • Develop potential

  • Self-determined

  • Live worthwhile lives

freedom - modern liberalism

• Modern liberals believe in negative freedom

• Modern liberals also believe in positive freedom:

  • Be who you were meant to me

  • Help to be free

  • Idea that you have the RIGHT to do something

state - modern liberalism

• Modern liberals believe in an enabling state that:

  • Enables people to be free

  • Equality of opportunity

  • Beveridge’s ‘Five Giants’ (5 evils that the government allows society to overcome): want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness

economy - modern liberalism

• Modern liberals are against free-market capitalism, believing it has led to many individuals not being free - modern liberals argue that the state should intervene in the market to regulate it, thus avoiding economic inequalities arising

  • Believe in government intervention and welfare

rationalism - modern liberalism

• T.H. Green rejected the classical liberal idea that humans are self-seeking utility maximisers - Green agrees that rationalism is the basis of human nature but argues that this does not exclude an ability to care about the interests of others and how this affects the wider environment they live in

• Modern liberals believe in a society based on rationality but tempered by altruism (concern for the interests and welfare of others)

individualism - classical & modern

• All liberals believe in:

  • Making decisions in your own interest

  • Self sovereignty

  • Individuals know what’s best

  • ‘over their mind and body the individual is sovereign’ - Mill

freedom - classical & modern

• All liberals believe that society should allow the maximum freedom for all

state - classical & modern

• All liberals view the state as a ‘necessary evil’ (Thomas Paine) as although it has the potential to restrict liberty, it keeps order

• All liberals believe in social contract theory

economy - classical & modern

• All liberals view capitalism as the clearest embodiment of individualism - it allows individuals to make rational choices about how they work and what they buy, sell, save or spend (thus the market upholds the principle of freedom of choice)

  • “the essential part of economic freedom is freedom to use the resources we possess in accordance with our own values - freedom to enter any occupation, engage in any business enterprise, buy from and sell to anyone else, so long as we do so on a strictly voluntary basis” - Milton and Rose Friedman in ‘Free to Choose’ (1979)