liberalism

core ideas

• individualism

• rationalism

• liberty

• state

• equality

• liberal democracy

individualism

• individuals are supreme

• positive human nature

• self interest is prime motivator

egotistical individualism - act to further own interests

rationalism

• apply logic and reason to do rational thing

• act in own rational self interest for self and society

liberty

• society is strongest when individuals are free to pursue own goals without restrictions

• economic liberalism

state

• gov rules w consent of governed

• mankind is capable of creating a state

• state limited w a constitution and rights

• state power and institution seperate

• tolerance individualism and diversity

social contract, limited gov, rights protection, seperate powers, mechanist theory (humans capable creating a state to meet needs)

equality

• individuals born equal

• equality under law

• equality opportunity for all

• different views are tolerated individual chocies

social justice , foundational equality(born equal) , toleration, formal equality

liberal democracy

• promotion limited gov w rights protection

• gov rules by will of ppl through elections and referendums

• society based on meritocracy

economic liberalism

• economy free from gov interferance

social contract

• gov rules by consent of ppl and if breaks agreement can be replaced

limited gov

• restrict state by constitution laws and rights

meritocracy

• socioeconomic advancement based on individual worth and ability

key classical liberalists

• john locke

• mary wolstencraft

• john stuart mill

classical liberalism believes in

• revolutionary potential

• negative liberty

• minimal state

• laissez-faire capitalism

revolutionary potential

• when a gov or institutions become too powerful and infringe individual liberties, the people are entitled to overthrow and revolt but private property must be respected

negative liberty

• everything is legal till prohibited, fewer restrictions greater liberty

minimal state

• state only intervene when required for legislating and and taxing

laissez faire capitalism

• economic measures should be left to market forces without interferance or restrictions from state

• private property must be protected

modern liberalism

• positive liberties

• enlarged state

• constitutional reform

• social liberalism

key modern liberal thinkers

• thomas hill green

• john rawls

• betty friedan

positive liberty

• market forces and social conditions limit individual freedoms - need to introduce laws to protect individual liberty

enlarged state

• in order to protect from socioeconomic threats the state act through taxation,regulation and legislation

constitutional reform

• neccessary to ensure state remains democratic, representative and limited

social liberalism

• actively promotong toleration by passing laws to punish those who are not tolerant of others

classical and modern disagree over

• negative and positive freedoms

• size and role of state

• rates taxation

• laissez faire v keynesian capitalism

• levels of democracy and respect for private property

classic and modern agree over

• positive view human anture

• importance individualism

• rationalism and toleration

• principle of capitalism

• gov based on consent and limited by constitutional protections

John Locke

Human nature

• humans are rational and self interested but mindful of others

State

• rules by consent of the governed and the state only holds fiduciary power

Society

• natural rights guide social relations not laws

economy

• state should respect private property and act as a neutral arbiter

Mary Wollstonecraft

Human nature

• men and women are rational beings yet women lack equality

state

• republican but wanted womens rights enshrined in constitution. Defended french revolution as people have right to rebel as gov didnt protect them

society

• a patriarchal and aristrocratic society undermined femal individualism

economy

• liberated women would boost a free-trade economy

John Stuart Mill

Human nature

• human nature is progressing to higher levels than simple hedonism. Liberty enables individualism

state

• representative democracy with respect for minority rights. The law can restrict other regarding actions if they are potentially harmful but not self regarding actions

society

• society of individuality and self improvement. sciety should be based on utilitarianism- actions that lead to general happiness should be favoured

economy

• laissez faire capitalism is route to happy and successful society

Thomas Hill Green

Human nature

• positive freedom allows humans self-development to contribute to the greater good

state

• state should help the poor to have positive freedom, not simply negative freedom

society

• the poor need education, better housing, better working conditions, better food

economy

• capitalism needs to be moderated, otherwise hereditary privilege and poverty will prevent positive freedom

John Rawls

Human nature

• all humans are selfish and empathetic. They all deserve equal rights

state

• state has a duty to assist the less fortunate

society

• condition of the poorest should be improved

economy

• free-market capitalism should be restricted on the basis of distributive justice

Betty Friedan

Human nature

• human nature, marriage and motherhood discourages self-advancement for women

state

• state has a duty to prevent discrimination against women and ensure equal rights

society

• society is chauvinistic with women being complicit in this. Civil rights and feminist movements were needed in the USA

economy

• anti-discrimination legislation would boost free market

fiduciary power

• state only has authority as long as it acts in the best interest of its people

hedonism

pleasure seeking is ultimate aim

individualism

freedoms allows individuals to pursue thei unique talents and goals

utilitarianism

ethical theory based on happiness - actions that increase happiness of the majority of the population are good, actions that make people unhappy are bad

distributive justice

society should allow maximum freedom for individuals provided it doesn’t restrict others liberty. Inequalities should only be allowed if the poorest benefit more than they would if resources were allocated more easily

Explain and analyse three ways that Liberal thinkers have viewed the state

P1- classical view

• necessary evil-

• Locke two treatises of gov

• social contract theory

• state is necessary to protect individual liberty and property

• night-watchman state

P2- modern view-

• Rawls’ Theory of Justice

• Ensure fairness through mechanisms like welfare and progressive taxation

• state should play an active role in reducing social and economic inequalities

• Beveridge Report (1942)

P3- liberal democ

• NEUTRAL STATE- no discrimination

• Mill in On Liberty argues for the harm principle

• supports institutions like constitutional democracy, separation of powers, and human rights protections

• underpins ideas of multiculturalism and civil liberties

Explain and analyse three ways that Liberal thinkers have viewed human nature.

P1- classical-

• rational and self interested-

• locke and smitch

• justifies negative freedom and laissez-faire capitalism

• Smith’s idea of the "invisible hand"

• Locke’s social contract theory

• underpins the liberal belief in limited government

P2- modern-

• capable of self improvement-

• mill and green

• Green- state should help remove social and economic barriers that prevent people from flourishing-

• Mill - enabling individuals to achieve self-improvement-

P3- liberal dem view-

• humans are fundamentally individuals

• Rawls in A Theory of Justice

• human nature flourishes in an open, diverse society

• some critics argue that this view is too idealistic

Explain and analyse three ways that Liberal thinkers have viewed society.

P1- classical view-

• Society Based on Individualism and Minimal State Intervention-

• locke and smith-

• individual freedom and private property

• Locke’s Social Contract of giving up some rights for protections of natural rights

P2- Modern Liberalism –

• Society Focused on Social Justice and Welfare-

• mill and green-

• positive liberty

• state to intervene in areas like education, healthcare, and economic redistribution

• Mill’s Harm Principle

P3-feminist liberalism-

• Gender Equality as a Fundamental Aspect of Society-

• wollstonecraft and mill-

• society should be restructured to promote equal rights and opportunities for women-

• Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792-

Explain and analyse three ways that Liberal thinkers have viewed the economy

P1- Classical Liberalism –

• Free Market and Minimal State Intervention-

• smith and locke-

• economy works best when individuals are free to pursue their own economic interests-

• Smith’s idea of the "invisible hand of without gov would naturally

• Smith’s The Wealth of Nations (1776) – Smith argued that markets should be self-regulating

P2-Modern Liberalism –

• State Intervention for Social Welfare and Equality

• - mill and green- mixed economy

• reject the idea of a purely laissez-faire as gov intervention is necessary

• Mill’s On Liberty (1859) harm principle

• emphasis on state intervention addresses inequalities but critics argue it could lead to excessive government control

P3- feminist liberalism-

• Economic Equality for Women and the Rejection of Patriarchal Structures-

• wollstonecraft and friedan-

• women must have the same economic rights and economic independence

• Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)

Explain and analyse three ways that the concept of individualism is significant to Liberal thinkers.

P1- Classical Liberalism –

• Individual Autonomy and Limited State Intervention

• - locke - individualism as the cornerstone of a just society-

• Locke's "Second Treatise of Government" (1689) –

• Locke argued that individuals have the right to self-governance- strongly advocates for individual autonomy

P2-Modern Liberalism –

• Individual Empowerment and Positive Liberty

• - mill and green-

• state should help individuals overcome social and economic barriers-

• - "On Liberty" (1859)

• Mill argued that individual freedom should be protected, but he also believed that the state should intervene in cases where people’s freedoms could harm others-

P3-Feminist Liberalism

• Individual Rights and Gender Equality

• - wollstonecraft and friedan-

• individualism must include gender equality-

• - "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792) –

• challenges both gender inequality and traditional liberalism’s narrow understanding of individualism

Explain and analyse three ways that the concept of freedom is significant to Liberal thinkers.

P1- classical

• negative freedoms and limited gov-

• locke and mill-

• freedom from interference-

• Locke’s "Second Treatise of Government" (1689)

• prioritizes individual liberty and is seen as essential for personal autonomy

P2- Modern Liberalism

• Positive Freedom and State Intervention

• mill and green

• - true freedom requires social conditions that enable individuals to pursue their goals-

• requires state intervention in areas like education, healthcare, and welfare-

• Green’s "Liberal Legislation and Freedom" (1881) –

• positive freedom expands the concept of liberty to include equality of opportunity

P3- Feminist Liberalism –

• Gendered Freedom and the Elimination of Patriarchy-

• wollstonecraft ad friedan-

• freedom cannot be fully realized without gender equality political, economic, and social autonomy.-

• "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792) –

• gender equality is an essential component of freedom. It has led to significant legal reforms