Liberalism Core Ideas and Principles

Foundational equality

Foundational equality

All individuals are born equal and entitled to equal treatment by the state, linked to formal inequality.

Formal equality

Equality before the law and equal possession of legal rights.

Equality of opportunity

All individuals should have an equal chance to develop their potential however, that equality of opportunity usually leads to unequal outcomes, arising from unequal abilities.

Social contract

Agreement between the governed and the government where the state guarantees certain outcomes like protection of natural rights.

Meritocracy

Rewarding individual effort and achievement rather than inherited advantage in society and the state.

Mechanistic theory

Human beings are rational and can build a state that reflects their needs (e.g. the need for freedom and self-fulfilment), rejecting the divine right of kings (John Locke)

Tolerance/harm principle

Views and actions we dislike should still be tolerated, as long as they do not harm the liberty of others.

Limited government

The opposite of arbitrary rule; the state should be limited in terms of what it can do and how it can do it by a formal constitution (arguably a form of social contract).

Egotistical individualism

Human beings are naturally drawn to the advancement of their own, selfish interests but because we are rational, this does not necessarily lead to conflict or an insensitivity to the wishes of others.

Every individual seeks:

• self-realisation - to discover our true and unique selves, free from the constraints and expectations of others, and unhindered by the conventions of society

• self-determination - to ensure we are the masters of our fate and that the realities of our lives can be attributed to our efforts and achievements

• self-fulfilment - to ensure we have fully utilised our 'natural rights' and made the most of our particular talents

Developmental individualism

A focus on what humans can become (explains J. S. Mill's emphasis on education in a liberal society).

Negative freedom

Individuals are free from interference by governments and other individuals.

Positive freedom

The state gives people the empowerment and the enhancement of individual capabilities to live a self-directed and fulfilling existence.

Laissez-faire capitalism

An economy where private enterprise and market forces exist with minimal interference from the state.

Keynesianism

Based on the work of economist John Maynard Keynes, involving the state directing and managing market forces to ensure steady growth, full employment and therefore greater individual liberty.

Minimal state

Reflects the concept of negative liberty by minimising state activities, such as legislating and taxing as infrequently as possible.

Enabling state

A state that has been extended so its activities liberate individuals from social and economic problems, thus enabling them to fulfil their potential.

Liberty

Ability and right to make decisions based on one's view of human nature, safeguarding natural rights and limited government.

Liberal state

It is ‘necessary’ to avoid disorder, but ‘evil’ as it has the potential to remove individual liberty, and thus should be limited.

Concerning the liberal view of the economy, liberals support:

• minimal state

• laissez-faire capitalism

• private property rights

• competition

• macroeconomics

• equality of opportunity

Rationalism

Belief in human rationality, capable of reason and logic, leading to the acceptance of the need for a state by consent.

Social justice

The belief that individuals are of equal value and that they should be treated impartially and fairly by society.

Liberal democracy

A democracy that balances the will of the people, as shown through elections, with limited government (state) and respect for civil liberties in society.

Classical liberals were wary of democracy, fearing that it endangered natural rights and tolerance.

Modern liberals began championing the extension of the state, to start the enfranchisement of minority groups and support democratic devolution. However, modern liberals also show little interest, for example, in direct democracy and referendums due to fears that they represent a tyranny of the majority.