Politics Comp 1 - (Core Ideas) Liberalism

Individualism principle (1)

The primacy of the individual in society over any group

Freedom/liberty principle (1)

Ability & right to make decisions in your own interests based on your view of human nature

State principle (1)

It is ‘necessary’ to avoid disorder, but ‘evil’ as it as potential to remove individual liberty, thus should be limited

Rationalism principle (1)

Belief hat humans are rational creatures, capable of reason and logic

Equality/social justice principle (1)

Belief that individuals are of equal value and should be treated impartially and fairly by society

Liberal Democracy principle (1)

A democracy that balances the will of the people (elections) with limited gov (state) and a respect for civil liberties in society

Developmental individualism definition (1)

The idea that individual freedom is linked to human flourishing (atomism)

Egotistical individualism defintion (1)

Idea that individual freedom is associated with self-interest and self-reliance

Enabling state definition (1)

A larger state helps individuals to achieve their potential and be free

Equality of opportunity definition (1)

Idea that all individuals should have equal chances in life to rise and fall

Formal equality definition (1)

Idea that all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society

Foundational equality definition (1)

Rights that all humans have by virtue of being born which cannot be taken away

Harm principle definition (1)

Idea that all individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals (John Stuart Mill)

Keynesianism definition (1)

Economic system that requires gov involvement to stimulate economy to achieve full employment and price stability (John Maynard Keynes)

Laissez-faire capitalism definition (1)

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

Limited government definition (1)

Where the roles of gov is limited by checks and balances, and a separation of powers, because of the corrupting nature of power

Mechanist theory definition (1)

Idea that state was created to serve the people and act in their interests

Meritocracy theory definition (1)

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

Minimal state definition (1)

Idea that the role of the state must be restricted to preserve individual liberty (‘night watchman state’)

Negative freedom definition (1)

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

Positive freedom definition (1)

Idea that freedom is about personal fulfilment and realisation of potential

Social contract definition (1)

Idea that the state/society is set up with the agreement from the people to respect its laws, which serve to protect them

Tolerance definition (1)

A willingness to accept values, customs and beliefs with which one disagrees

Tensions summary between CL and ML (2)

• CL - individual freedom is best achieved with minimal state

• ML - emerged as reaction against free-market capitalism (constrained individuals)

Agreements on Human Nature (2)

• Believe humans are rational creatures and individual beings

• All believe humans are capable of deciding what is in their best interest

• All liberals view humans as being of equal moral worth with foundational equality (Wollstonecraft)

Disagreements on Human Nature (2)

Disagree on nature of rationalism:

• CL’s view of human nature based on egotistical individualism where individuals are self-reliant and self-seeking (selfish form of rationalism)

• ML’s view of human nature based on developmental individualism - idea that individual freedom linked to human flourishing

Disagree on how humans are best able to flourish in society:

• CLs believe in negative freedom (individuals should be left alone to flourish) and people can be left alone in a meritocracy

• MLs believe in positive freedom (individuals need help in order to flourish) and that an enabling state needed

Agreements on the State (2)

• Must be a state in society

• State is a necessary evil

• State is formed on the basis of the social contract theory (Locke)

Disagreements on the State (2)