Modern Liberalism Concepts and Thinkers

What do modern liberals believe about individualism?

Developmental Individualism→ Individuals want to and can grow and achieve their full potential, therefore equality of opportunity is needed to facilitate this

What kind of freedom do modern liberals believe in?

Positive freedom: Freedom TO do something, freedom which is GIVEN

What do modern liberals believe about the economy?

Keynesian economics→ a mixed economy with public and private ownership, the government should intervene to solve the big economic problems

JS Mill on developmental liberalism: Support for liberty must be "'grounded on the permanent interests of man...

...as a progressive being"

JS Mill's harm principle:

He categorised self-regarding issues and other-regarding issues, no one has a right to intervene in self-regarding issues

John Rawls on the definition of a just society: "A just society is a society that if you knew everything about it,...

...you'd be willing to enter it in a random place."

John Rawls on what a Liberal constitutional democracy should do: "Ensure that each citizen is free and equal...

...and protected by basic rights and liberties."

John Rawls arguing that ABSOLUTE liberty is not good: "Clearly when the liberties are left unrestricted...

...they collide with one another."

How is Rawls' concept of a just society still based on seeking self-interest?

Because he argues that if you were at the original position, you would want society to be just and mobile in order to protect your own interests for if you start at a lower position

In what work did Rawls express his support for toleration?

Political Liberalism (1993)

What was Rawls' main work and when?

A Theory of Justice (1971)

What kind of economics do Modern Liberals support?

Keynesian economics-- some intervention into the economy, as absolute liberty is not good for everyone

How does Freidan extend the concept of an enabling state?

By calling for the state to play a more active/interventionist role in eliminating sex discrimination towards women so that they can experience mobility