Later classical liberalism (early mid nineteenth century)

Changes to circumstances of liberal societies

industrialisation of Britain and USA

development of urban societies

class consciousness

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

Father of utilitarian philosophy

Bentham’s view on the individual

Individual’s would seek to maximise their own ‘utility’ by maximising personal pleasure and limiting personal pain

Bentham’s view of the state

needs to be more proactive and create the ‘greatest happiness for the greatest number’

governments more likely to follow if elected and accountable to the ‘greatest number of voters’

(laying the foundation for democracy in liberals)

Samuel Smiles (1812-1904) view on individualism

Self Help (1859) -self reliance still feasible and necessary

individuals would just be challenged more rigorously but therefore be developed further

Samuel Smile’s (1812-1904) view on state help

self help over state help otherwise individuals will become ‘stunted with ‘their talents unknown

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) similarity with Smiles

acknowledged the importance of self help and contempt for more state intervention

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) difference to Smiles

Man Versus the State (1884) questioned that all individuals could rise to the increased challenge the

fearing the ‘feeble’ minority would justify state intervention he believed natural selection and social Darwinism to be the answer

Transitional Liberalism

pioneered by John Stuart Mill

-Representative democracy

-no ‘tyranny of the majority’ representatives strive to create broad content for all

-developmental liberalism (stress on universal education)