unit 1 - no philosophers :)

i hate philosophers sm pmo

Life Before Liberalism

Absolute monarchies, divine right of kings. Strict class structure, limited mobility.

Renaissance (14-16th C)

Humanists → focus on individual, reason.

Protestant Reformation (1517)

Reason as important as faith.

Enlightenment (17-18th C)

Emphasis on individualism, rational thought, civil liberties.

Classical Liberalism (18th-19th C)

Core values: Individual rights, economic freedom, private property, limited government. Advocates: Locke, Montesquieu, Smith, Mill.

Key Historical Events

American Revolution (1775) → individual rights emphasized. French Revolution (1789) → Declaration of Rights of Man. Industrial Revolution → rejection of mercantilism; rise of capitalism.

Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

• Consensus decision-making, separation of powers, respect for individual rights (including women).

• Influenced American & Canadian democratic ideas.

Economic Equality Approaches

Egalitarianism

Equitable Distribution of income

Equality of Opportunity

Egalitarianism

Left Wing

goal : absolute equality

Equitable Distribution of income

middle

goal : reduce extreme gaps

Equality of Opportunity

Right wing

goal : remove barriers, let merit decide

Free Market Economy (Liberal/Right)

Values: Self-interest, competition, economic freedom, private property.

What is produced? → Producers respond to consumer demand (supply & demand).

How produced? → Companies decide production methods to maximize profit.

To whom distributed? → Whoever can pay; private ownership protected by law.

Decision-making → Individuals/businesses decide; minimal government interference.

Equality of Opportunity

Remove discrimination or barriers to economic success.

Example: Anyone can pursue a career path if qualified; government does not guarantee income equality.

Centrally Planned (Command) Economy (Collectivist/Left)

What is produced? → Government decides societal needs.

How produced? → Government/public owns factories/resources; sets quotas.

To whom distributed? → Government distributes according to need.

Decision-making → Central planners decide; individuals have little choice.

Egalitarianism (Left)

Collectivist value: Treat all people equally in political, social, and economic rights.

Example: Cuba after 1959 communist revolution; emphasis on equality even if all are poor.

Mixed Economy (Welfare Capitalism)

Combination of free market and government intervention.

Production & Distribution → Supply & demand guides production; government provides goods/services when necessary.

Decision-making → Shared between government and private companies.

Equitable Distribution of Income → Not absolute equality, but reduces extreme inequality.

Example thinker: John Maynard Keynes.

Free Market Economy (Liberal/Right)

Values

Equality of Opportunity

Remove discrimination or barriers to economic success. Anyone can pursue a career path if qualified; government does not guarantee income equality.

Centrally Planned (Command) Economy (Collectivist/Left)

Government decides what is produced, how, and for whom. No private property; government distributes goods according to need.

Egalitarianism (Left)

Collectivist value; all people treated equally in political, social, and economic rights. Example

Mixed Economy (Welfare Capitalism)

Combination of free market and government intervention. Supply & demand guides production, but government provides goods/services when necessary. Aims to reduce extreme inequality. Example thinker

Equitable Distribution of Income

Not absolute equality but reducing extreme inequality. Government redistributes wealth through taxation, social programs.

Private Property

Originally land; now includes physical possessions and intellectual property (artistic works, inventions, etc). Debates exist over whether intellectual property counts as true "ownership" since it's hard to enforce. Importance: Essential for individual economic & personal freedom? Allows control over resources and decision-making.

Economic Freedom

Right of individuals to control their own economic resources. Includes ability to make choices about production, consumption, and exchange without excessive government interference. Example: Choosing a part-time job or how to spend money.

Self-Interest

One's personal advantage; seeking to satisfy own needs.

Adam Smith

Pursuing self-interest benefits society as a whole (invisible hand).

Basis for laissez-faire economics

individuals must be able to work for their own benefit.

Competition

Struggle among people or groups for economic, social, or political advantage. Encourages efficiency and innovation. Consumers get the best product for the best price; producers compete to meet demand.

Scarcity

Unlimited needs vs. limited resources. All economic systems must answer four basic questions: What will be produced? How will goods and services be produced? To whom will they be distributed and at what price? Who will make these decisions?

Economic Equality

Can conflict with free-market competition. Approaches to address inequality: Egalitarianism, Equitable distribution of income, equality of opportunity

Egalitarianism (left)

everyone treated equally.

Equitable Distribution of Income (middle)

more equal incomes.

Equality of Opportunity (right)

remove barriers, let merit decide outcomes.

Negative Freedoms 

Freedom from interference or restriction by others (especially government). Example: Freedom of speech, right to privacy.

Private Property

Originally land; now includes physical possessions and intellectual property (artistic works, inventions, etc). Debates exist over whether intellectual property counts as true “ownership” since it’s hard to enforce. Importance

Economic Freedom

Right of individuals to control their own economic resources. Includes ability to make choices about production, consumption, and exchange without excessive government interference. Example

Self-Interest

One's personal advantage; seeking to satisfy own needs. Adam Smith

Competition

Struggle among people or groups for economic, social, or political advantage. Encourages efficiency and innovation. Consumers get the best product for the best price; producers compete to meet demand.

Scarcity

Unlimited needs vs. limited resources. All economic systems must answer

Economic Equality

Can conflict with free-market competition. Approaches to address inequality

Negative Freedoms

Freedom from interference or restriction by others (especially government). Example

Rule of Law

No one is above the law, including leaders. All people treated equally under law. Example