Liberalism Strands and thinkers

Edexcel A level Politics

Classical liberalism 17th and 18th centuries

Human Nature: People are rational and capable of making their own decisions

State: Protect individual rights and liberties

Society: Based on individual freedom and cooperation

Economy: Driven by free markets with limited state intervention

Key Policies: Free market, private property protection,

seperation of powers, constitutional gov.

Modern Liberalism (late 19th – Present)​

Human nature: People are rational but need help to fulfill potential

State: Gov should ensure equal opportunities and provide support for those who need it

Society: Promote social justice, equality and inclusivity

Economy: Balance free markets with social welfare programmes to reduce inequality

Key policies: Universal healthcare/welfare, progressive taxation and wealth distribution, invest public education and healthcare, equality of opportunity/anti-discrimination

Locke

Human Nature: Rational, cooperative, and capable of self-government; born with inalienable natural rights

Role of state: Exists to safeguard natural rights throughconsent; if it fails, citizens have a right to revolt.​
Society: Based on social contract theory; individuals voluntarilyunite to protect shared interests and liberties.​

Economic: Advocated for private property as natural extension of labour; saw ownership as a key to individual freedom and prosperity.​

Info: English Civil war, rise of constitutional monarchy. Political instability. Very educated. Natural Rights and Social Contract

Stuart Mill

Human Nature: Progressive and capable of moral and intellectual development through liberty and education.​

Role of state: Minimal intervention unless preventing harm; should facilitate individual development.​
Society: protect minority rights and promote pluralism

Economic: laissez-faire but supported limited state action to alleviate poverty and redistribute wealth through inheritance tax.​

Info: height of the Industrial Revolution and expansion of the British Empire.​ Heavily influenced by utilitarianism (effects of actions) ;rigorous early education. supporting proportional representation, workers' cooperatives, and women's suffrage

John Rawls

Human Nature: Rational and self-interested but capable of fairness under hypothetical equality (original position).​

Role of state: Ensure fairness through the two principles of justice: equal basic liberties and fair equality of opportunity.​
Society: Should structure institutions to benefit the least advantaged (difference principle), creating a just distribution of wealth.​

Economic: Favoured regulated capitalism with redistribution

Info: era marked by WWII, the Cold War, and the civil rights movement. Original position and veil of ignorance

Woolstoncraft

Human Nature: All humans, regardless of gender, possess reason and moral capacity

Role of state: Must provide universal education and legal protection for women's rights.​
Society: Should be based on reason and virtue; women must be equal participants in public and private life.​

Economic: Advocated for women's access to work andproperty to secure independence and dignity.​

Info: during the Enlightenment, the American and French Revolutions. Critical french rev failure to extend women’s right.​

Friedman

Human Nature: Human fulfilment requires intellectual, social, and professional development; gender roles suppress women's potential.​

Role of state: Must remove structural and legal barriers to women's equality and support gender-inclusive policies.​
Society: challenge patriarchal norms; men and women should have equal roles in both public and private spheres

Economic: Supported equal pay, anti-discrimination laws, and government support for childcare to enable women's full economic participation.​

Info: post-war US conservatism and the rise of second-wave feminism. Systemic sexism​

T.H Green

Human Nature: Social and moral beings capable of self-realisation, but requiring supportive environments.​

Role of state: Enable individuals to achieve positive freedom; intervention justified to promote moral and civic development.
Society: Should be a community that nurtures mutual obligation and the common good.​

Economic: State action to address inequality; endorsed regulation, public health, and education as tools for genuine liberty.​

Info: late Industrial Revolution and the growth of urban poverty.​against classical liberalism and laissez-faire economics which failed to address social injustices.​