liberalism

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to the ideologies discussed in the lecture, focusing on liberalism, conservatism, and fascism among others.

Liberalism

An ideology centered around the values of liberty and equality, promoting individual freedom and rights.

Conservatism

A political ideology that is skeptical of ideal ideologies and typically seeks to preserve traditions.

Fascism

An ideology characterized by a cult of action and violence, often anti-intellectual and anti-ideological.

Dogmatism

A belief system that is rigid and unyielding, often involving the rejection of debate or discussion.

Anthropocentrism

The belief that human beings are the central or most significant entities in the world.

Meritocracy

A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.

Positive Liberty

The idea that freedom is the capacity to act upon one's free will and to fulfill one's potential.

Negative Liberty

The notion of freedom as the absence of obstacles or constraints on the individual.

Toleration

The acceptance and respect for a diversity of moral, cultural, and political beliefs.

Natural Rights

The rights that individuals are said to have simply by virtue of being human, often considered to be universal.

Liberalism

The dominant political ideology in the West for centuries; centered on individualism, freedom, reason, justice, and toleration.

Some liberals believe liberalism is above ideology

They believe it is a necessary truth or reality rather than one ideology among others.

Liberalism emerged under what historical conditions?

The breakdown of feudalism in Europe and the rise of market

Feudalism

A system of agrarian-based production characterized by fixed social hierarchies and rigid obligations.

Under feudalism, identity was defined by

Group membership (family, village, social class), not individual autonomy.

Divine Right of Kings

The doctrine that rulers are chosen by God and possess unquestionable authority.

Absolutism

A system where political power is concentrated in a single ruler, often a monarch.

Which revolutions embodied early liberal ideas?

English Revolution (1688)

Early liberal revolutions advocated

Constitutional government

Why was early liberalism radical?

It challenged monarchy, aristocracy, and feudal hierarchy.

What happened when liberalism succeeded?

It shifted from revolutionary ideology to status quo governing ideology.

Individualism

The belief in the primacy and moral worth of the individual over social groups.

Kant on the individual

Individuals are ends in themselves, not means.

Natural rights theorists

Argued individuals possess inherent rights by virtue of being human.

Liberal atomism

The belief that society is merely a collection of self-interested individuals.

C.B. Macpherson’s critique

Classical liberalism promotes “possessive individualism” where individuals owe nothing to society.

Freedom

The supreme and unifying liberal value.

Mill’s harm principle

Power can only be exercised over someone to prevent harm to others.

Negative liberty (Berlin)

Freedom as absence of external restraint

Positive liberty (Berlin)

Freedom as self-mastery

Classical liberalism and liberty

Emphasizes negative liberty.

Modern liberalism and liberty

Emphasizes positive liberty.

Reason

Liberal faith in rationality and Enlightenment progress.

Enlightenment goal

Release humankind from superstition and ignorance.

Why do liberals reject paternalism?

Individuals are rational and capable of pursuing their own interests.

Progress (liberal view)

History advances through accumulation of knowledge.

Education in liberalism

A good in itself; promotes self-development and social progress.

Justice (liberal view)

Giving each person what they are due based on equality principles.

Foundational equality

All individuals are equal in moral worth.

Formal equality

Equality before the law

Political equality

One person, one vote.

Equality of opportunity

Equal chance to rise or fall in society.

Do liberals support equality of outcome?

No.

Meritocracy

A system where rewards reflect talent and effort.

Rawls’ difference principle

Inequality is justified only if it benefits the least advantaged.

Michael Sandel’s “tyranny of merit”

Meritocracy can damage social solidarity and dignity.

Toleration

Willingness to accept moral, cultural, and political diversity.

Locke on religion

Government should not meddle in “the care of men’s souls.”

Mill and free speech

Truth emerges through free competition of ideas.

Mill quote meaning

Even a single dissenting voice must not be silenced.

Free market of ideas

Good ideas displace bad ones through debate.

Classical liberalism

19th-century liberalism emphasizing minimal state and free markets.

Natural rights (Locke)

Life

Purpose of government (Locke)

Protect natural rights

Minimal state

A government limited to protection and contract enforcement.

Adam Smith

Founder of classical economics; advocated free markets.

Invisible hand

The self-regulating nature of markets.

Mercantilism

Economic system where the state heavily controls trade.

Laissez-faire

Doctrine that economic activity should be free from government interference.

Social Darwinism (Spencer)

Survival of the fittest applied to society.

Spencer on inequality

Inequality is natural and should not be interfered with.

Modern liberalism

20th-century liberalism supporting state intervention for individual development.

Why did classical liberalism decline?

Industrial poverty, inequality, Great Depression.

Welfare state

A state that provides social security, healthcare, and education.

Keynes

Government should manage aggregate demand.

Aggregate demand

Total demand in the economy.

How does government stimulate economy?

Increase spending

Keynes’ goal

Save capitalism from collapse.

T.H. Green

Freedom requires removing social obstacles.

Positive freedom (Green)

Capacity for self-development.

Enabling state

A state that helps individuals develop their potential.

Neoliberalism

Revival of free-market ideology in 1970s.

Key neoliberal thinkers

Friedrich Hayek

Political leaders of neoliberalism

Reagan

Neoliberal core belief

Human well-being best advanced by entrepreneurial freedom.

Market fundamentalism

Absolute faith in markets.

Neoliberal state role

Create and protect markets, not regulate them.

Privatization

Transferring public goods to private ownership.

Liberal democracy

A system combining constitutional rule and democratic elections.

Constitutionalism

Limiting government through legal and institutional constraints.

Written constitution

A single codified document outlining government powers.

Bill of rights

Legal protection of individual rights.

Rule of law

All individuals and government subject to law.

Separation of powers

Division of legislative, executive, judicial powers.

Majoritarianism

Rule by majority.

Tyranny of the majority

When majority suppresses minority rights.

Madison’s solution

Checks and balances.

Which ideology supports negative liberty?

Classical liberalism.

Which ideology supports positive liberty?

Modern liberalism.

Which thinker said individuals are ends in themselves?

Immanuel Kant.

Which thinker proposed the harm principle?

J.S. Mill.

Which thinker defended natural rights to life, liberty, property?

John Locke.

Which thinker developed utilitarianism?

Jeremy Bentham.

Which thinker created justice as fairness?

John Rawls.

Which ideology argues markets should exist even in education and healthcare?

Neoliberalism.

Scenario: A government increases taxes to fund universal healthcare. Which liberal tradition supports this?

Modern liberalism.

Scenario: A government removes all economic regulations. Which tradition supports this?

Classical liberalism

Scenario: A law bans unpopular speech to prevent offense. Which liberal principle is violated?

Toleration

Scenario: Inequality is allowed only if it benefits the poorest. Whose idea?

John Rawls.

Scenario: Freedom means being left alone by government. Which concept?

Negative liberty.