Classical Liberalism

Ideology

Ideology

a set of principles or ideas that explains your world and your place within it. It is based on assumptions about human nature and society and provides an outlook on both history and the present.

Hegemony

the political, economic, cultural or ideological power exerted by a dominant group over other groups, regardless of willingness.

Dystopias

fictional societies where ideology is used to control a population and is purposely portrayed as negative.

Individualism

An ideology that values the freedom and worth of the individual over the harmony of the group.

Collectivism

Values the goals of the group and the common good over any one individual.

Divine Right of Kings

A doctrine of royal authority; the monarch is not below any other authority and gained his right to rule straight from God. This means the king does not have to answer to any establishment, even the church, and any attempt to restrict the king goes against God.

Kibbutz

grouping in hebrew. A community where people live together without competition

Privatization

transfer of ownership, property or business from the government to individual owners (private sector)

Social Safety Net

Assistance given to vulnerable people (typically impoverished) within a society to fulfill their needs

social contract

idea that people give up some of their natural rights to government so that they receive order and security for themselves and their property (Locke and Hobbes) agreement between individuals to give up certain natural rights in order to enjoy the benefits of society

Libertarianism

political ideology which prioritizes freedom and individualism in the market and private lives of people with minimal/no government involvement

Egalitarianism

belief that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities

Mercantalism

closed economic system where colonies give their resources to serve a mother country

Authoritarian

describing an ideology of obedience to government authority at the expense of personal freedom. The Government may not rule in the best interests of the people (ex. monarch)

Direct Democracy

a system of government where policies and laws are decided by a majority of all members of its society rather than by a group of elected representatives. Every voice is heard

Bill of Rights

formal declarations of the rights and privileges of citizens with guaranteed protection, often as a part of constitutions

crown corporations

governmental organizations that are structured like private companies (CBC, Canada Post)

physiocrats

group of Enlightenment philosophers in France who critiqued mercantilism

noveau riche

new class of owners, bankers, lawyers, and other professionals who gained lots of wealth in the Industrial Revolution

collective norms

groups usually impose norms, or standards on their members as a condition of membership in the group (censorship)

Intellectual Property

inventions, ideas are private property

Private Property

property law includes real estate, other forms of physical possestions and intellectual property

Public Property

public property is owned by the state or community, and managed according to the best interests of the community

Rule of Law

everyone is subject to the law; that no one, no matter how important or powerful is above the law

Self Interest

one’s personal interest or advantage

American Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution. Ratified by the 13 states in 1791, it is based on John Locke’s concept of natural rights for all individuals, including life, liberty, and protection of property.

beliefs and values

important parts of identity which influence people’s behavior and choices, and they guide people’s interactions with others and how they view the world.

Capitalism

an economic system based on free market, fair competition, wise consumers and profit-motivated producers. Little government involvement.

Laissez-Faire Economics

no government interference. free markets and an individual’s right to own private property.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

part of canada’s constitution. Covers broad fundamental and equality rights

Common Good

the good of a community, something that benefits the public health, safety, and well being of the society as a whole

democracy

form of government where the power is ultimately in the hands of the people

Enclosure Acts

the act of enclosing land that had been held in common becomes the private property of an individual

free market

market which operates with limited government invention. Questions about production and marketing of goods and services are decided through the free interaction of producers and consumers

Liberalism

collection of ideologies of the principle of dignity and freedom of the individual as the foundation for society. faith in human progress and favours decentralized power, politically and economically and respect for the sovereignty of the reasoning individual

representative democracy

government where a small group of politicians are elected by larger group of citizens. Decisions made by elected officials who represent them and make laws in their interests

totalitarianism

government which seeks complete control over the public and private lives of citizens

absolute monarch

monarch rules in their right or power. Monarch is not limited and has absolute power.

universal suffrage

right of all members of society to participate politically once they reach responsible age. Starts with voting

worldview

group/individual’s collection of beliefs about life and universe

constitution

A document that outlines the fundamental principles, laws, and structure of a government. rights and responsibilities of citizens and the branches of government, ensuring a system of checks and balances.

dictatorship

one person has all the power and does not have to listen to anyone else

classical liberalism

ideology that embraces principles of individualism and free market (prices)

identity

ideologies impact identity (who or what you are)

taxation without representation

imposing taxes without giving them a voice or vote in the decision-making process. American colonists against British rule around the American Revolution

invisible hand

every individual looks after their best interest, and they end up helping everyone else through jobs and cheaper products. the marker will run itself with limited government intervention

US constitution

separation of powers incorporated into US constitution. supreme law of the United States of America.

declaration of independence

reflected ideas of liberalism (individual rights, equality, and limited government) all men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. consent of the governed and the right to change or abolish an oppressive government.

majority rule

the principle that the greater number should exercise greater power

minority rule

Canada: minority governments occur when no party has a majority of seats in the legislature.

NGO

founded on collectivist and individualist values

(work towards a common goal, but are private initiatives)

organized labour

members of trade unions fought for better working conditions and rates of pay in the industrial revolution (trade unions)

Philosophes

Enlightenment thinkers in France advocated for reason and science. critiqued church and monarchy. promoting individual rights, freedom of speech, and separation of powers.
Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu.

natural rights

rights for all individuals, regardless of societal or governmental influence. These rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

pluralism

policy which promotes acceptance of diversity

Separation of Powers

Montesquieu believed government should be divided in 3 branches - executive, legislative, judicial. one’s power can not exceed another

Agricultural Revolution (17 - 19 century)

farmers used to work on communal land, but some British fields were owned privately, and small famers had no work. More agricultural production in Britain led to new tech. This tech required private farming, so small farmers had no work. Enclosed farms were demanded. Enclosure act → Britain abolished open system farms for private. Small farmers not needed, so they worked in factories.

Enlightenment (18 century)

age of reason. classical liberalism spread through Europe and changed beliefs about religion, reason, nature, and human beings. Philosophers valued human reason in social structures. They valued worth of individuals and governments with people, rather than 1 powerful ruler. Natural rights and prioritized democratic values. New ideas could lead to better societies.

Aldous Huxley

Wrote brave new world → dystopia where government controlled reproduction and created classes of people. Each class filled a role and they made the people like their role.

abundance of info but people don’t care

makes us question if we were born into a way of life/perspective or if we choose it.

Industrial Revolution

spread classical liberalism, agriculture shifted to modern tech and factory jobs. Inventors/entrepreneurs had to become more innovative and efficient for profit. New value in market. Idea of limited government intervention spread. Noveau riche class created from factories. Worker unions created.

Thomas Jefferson

Main author of declaration of independence who believed in the power of the common man and limited government. Believed government should not have a say in one’s religion.

John Locke

classic liberal who created liberalism. Believed rule of law should replace absolutism. Rulers were subject to consent of their people. Individuals had natural rights to life, liberty, property. All people were reasonable, rational and intelligent. social contract → gov has obligation to people, and people can overthrow. Gov should not enforce religion (not possible)

Montesquieu

Classical Liberal. Separation of powers: executive, legislative, judicial (basis of modern democracies) Knowledge of government would reduce societal problems and improve quality of life. Checks and balances for government. Wrote the Spirit of Laws. Against divine right of kings and believed every citizen should participate and be aware of the government. Everything made up of rules which didn’t change

George Orwell

1984 → dystopian society where information in censored to control the population. super enforced collective norms which tell people how to think (extreme collectivism by soviet union)

Renaissance (14-16 century)

revival of greek, roman art and philosophy began spread of classical liberalism. Secularism, individualism, humanism. Arts science literature were important. Seeking meaning and purpose in everything, especially humanity. Favoring reason and logic over faith.

Adam Smith

classic liberal (economics) father of capitalism who influenced US economy. Laissez-faire economics (no gov intervention) people worked for themselves, not the state. Anti mercantilism. Government just maintained law. Invisible hand (gov self regulating) wrote wealth of nations which advocated for free market.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Dalai Lama were

collectivists → group gets priority

Thomas Hobbes

believed security was more important than freedom.

Jean-Jacques Rosseau

believed people are inherently good, free and equal

John Stuart Mill

protection of individual freedom and individual decision as core of society. Only limitations placed on individual were those that would protect the freedom of others

magna carta

great charter

outlined rights and limits on power. Rule of law

English bill of rights

outlined individual rights and gave parliament more power

French Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

all men are free and equal in rights