Question
To what extent do liberals agree on equality of opportunity?
Argument
More disagreement
Paragraph topics
Entrenched hierarchy (agree)
Role of the state (disagree)
Economic model (disagree)
Classical liberal views on entrenched societies?
Classical liberals strongly opposed rigid class systems and monarchy with absolute power because they violate individual liberty and equality before the law; they instead favour a system of meritocracy.
Classical liberal thinker on entrenched societies?
Mary Wollstonecraft argued that the tyranny of husbands meant that women lived in an oppressed state like those who’d been ruled in absolutist France. She saw the patriarchy as an entrenched system which needed to be changed so that women could develop their own reason.
Modern liberal views on entrenched heirarchies?
Modern liberals believe hierarchies are acceptable only if they’re fair and don’t become self-perpetuating; government intervention can be justified to prevent these entrenched hierarchies.
Modern liberal thinker on entrenched heirarchies?
Friedan identified “The problem that has no name”; this problem she believe was the ideal in society that defined feminine fulfilment as marriage, motherhood and tasks of domesticity.
Classical liberal view on the role of the state in supporting equality of opportunity?
Classical liberals believe in negative freedom, this translates into their view of equality as giving people equal freedoms means that there will be equality of opportunity as everyone has the same fundamental rights to choose freely.
Classical liberal thinker on the role of the state in supporting equality of opportunity?
Mill’s harm principle: “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community… is to prevent harm to others.” The more individuals are free the more they’re equal via liberty.
Modern liberal view on the role of the state in supporting equality of opportunity?
Modern liberals believe is positive freedom, the state has the right to intervene in society to make it more just and fair. Through redistributive measures modern liberals believe that equality of opportunity can be better achieved.
Modern liberal thinker on the role of the state in supporting equality of opportunity?
William Beveridge’s idea that “a starving man is not free” formed UK’s welfare state. This reflects the modern liberal view that the state can have a role in supporting equality of opportunity by helping the worst off in society.
Classical liberal view on the best economic system to support equality of opportunity?
Classical liberals believe that pure free-market capitalism is the best system to support equality of opportunity, because everyone has the ability to invest capital as they wish.
Classical liberal thinker on the best economic system to support equality of opportunity?
Adam Smith writes “Every man, as long as he does not violate the laws of justice, is left perfectly free to pursue his own interest his own way.” This is the idea that when people are free to invest, work, and trade as they choose, opportunities are open to everyone.
Modern liberal view on the best economic system to support equality of opportunity?
Modern liberals believe that pure, unchecked free-market capitalism does not provide equality of opportunity as people in poorer economic circumstances are not free, therefore they think that government intervention can be justified to create a fairer economy.
Modern liberal thinker on the best economic system to support equality of opportunity?
Locke writes that “Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are… to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged.” This supports the view that markets alone don’t guarantee fair opportunity, and government intervention is needed.
