Core Principles of Liberalism

Individualism

• Core of liberal theory

• Individual should be at the centre of political thought

• Always take priority over any group

• Limit power of the state

• Linked to the idea of foundational equality

• Every person is born of equal value

• Should receive equal rights

Freedom/Liberty

• Arguments over the role of the state

• Closely linked to individualism

• Aim for each human to have control over their own destiny

• Individuals must have as much liberty as possible

Rationalism

• Humans have an innate understanding of right and wrong

• Can make logical decisions based on fact and evidence

• Humans are capable of reason and rationalism

• See the individual as the best judge of their own actions and capable of making decisions and deciding what is right and wrong

• Distrust government

• Capable of shaping their own destiny

• Individuals can improve and develop

• Rational individuals will realise that cooperation and compromise are more sensible than conflict and war

State

• State is a threat to the individual’s freedom

• Must always be limited government

• State is necessary in order to protect the rights and property of individuals

• State is an artificial creation which is there to protect individuals

Equality/Social Justice

• Foundational equality - people are born equal and of equal value

• Governed by rule of law - all are equal in the eyes of the law

• Formal equality - individuals should enjoy the same legal and political rights in society and have equal voting rights in free and fair elections

• Equality of opportunity

• Humans have different talents and abilities

• Personally responsible for the amount of effort they put in

• Social inequality is beneficial for society because it gives people an incentive to work hard

• Meritocracy - social position is determined by ability and effort

Liberal democracy

• Free elections to give expression to the will of the people

• Limitations on the power of the state - should act as a neutral arbiter between different interests in society

• Respect for civil liberties and toleration of different viewpoints

• Consent of the people - lack of consent means government lacks legitimacy

• John Locke argues - people must freely give and renew their consent to be governed

• They have a right of rebellion if the government breaks the contract

• Support democracy on the grounds that it enables citizens to hold government to account

• Extends popular participation and performs an educational function in society

• Developmental democracy - promoting the personal development of individuals

• Gives a political voice to different groups and interests

• Promotes consensus and underpins political stability

Foundational equality

People are born equal and of equal value

Formal equality

Individuals should enjoy the same legal and political rights in society and have equal voting rights in free and fair elections

Equality of opportunity

Everyone has equal opportunities

Social Contract

People must frequently give and renew their consent to be governed

Meritocracy

Social position is defined by ability and effort - the harder you work, the more you receive

Mechanistic theory

State is necessary to protect rights and property of individuals in this sense the state is an artificial creation to protect individuals

Tolerance

They have a respect for civil liberties and a toleration of different viewpoints

Limited Government

State is a threat to the individual’s freedom and liberty and must always be limited government

Developmental individualism

Support democracy if it enables citizens to hold government to account - extend political participation and performs an educational function within society

Rule of Law

Should be governed by the Rule of Law so that all are equal in the eyes of the law