Question
To what extent do liberals agree on individualism
Argument
More disagreement
Paragraph topics
Individuals’ importance (agree)
Egoistical v. developmental (disagree)
Role of state/economy in supporting individualism (disagree)
Classical liberal views on the importance of the individual?
Classical liberals believe the individual is the primary component within society. The government exists to primarily protect individual rights and freedoms and promote tolerance and limited government.
Classical liberal thinker on the importance of the individual?
Locke’s mechanistic theory of state suggests that the state should not extend beyond three minimal functions:
1. Maintaining public order and protecting property
2. Providing defence against external attack
3. Ensuring that contracts are enforced
Modern liberal view on the importance of the individual?
Modern liberals believe that individual rights and civil liberties should be prioritised. Whilst they believe the state should help individuals flourish and participate fully in society, they are fundamentally still committed to individual wellbeing as the end goal.
Modern liberal thinker on the importance of the individual?
John Rawls argued that “the liberties of equal citizenship are taken as settled; the rights secured by justice are not subject to political bargaining or to the calculus of social interests.”
Classical liberal view on egoistical v. developmental individualism?
Classical liberals have a belief in egoistical individualism. This is the belief that people naturally respect others’ freedoms but pursue their own interests first.
Classical liberal thinker on egoistical v. developmental individualism?
Mill’s harm principle - people can pursue their own interests as long as they don’t harm others; people should naturally respect other freedoms and if they don’t that it were state intervention can be legitimised.
Modern liberal views on egoistical v. developmental individualism?
Modern liberals believe in developmental individualism. This is the belief that individuals should be empowered to achieve personal growth and achieve their full potential.
Modern liberal thinker on egoistical v. developmental individualism?
Rawls argues that under developmental individualism everyone should care for the development of others as well as themselves, therefore he suggests that people should support a system in which inequalities are “to the greatest benefit of the least-advantaged members of society”.
Classical liberal view on the role of state and economy in supporting individualism?
Classical liberals believe that individualism is best supported by small government and a free-market capitalist economy. State intervention restricts independence and personal responsibility.
Classical liberal thinker on the role of state and economy in supporting individualism?
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.” Reflecting that capitalism gives the individual free choice.
Modern liberal views on the role of state and economy in supporting individualism?
Modern liberals believe individualism is strengthened by state intervention that removes barriers such as poverty, poor education, ill health, that restricts the human ability to flourish in society.
Modern liberal thinker on the role of state and economy in supporting individualism?
Locke writes that “Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are… to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged.” This is the view that markets alone don’t guarantee freedom of citizens, and government intervention is needed to support some individuals.
