Liberalism

Question 1

What are the 2 strands of liberalism?

Answer 1

1. Classical liberalism
2. Modern liberalism

Question 2

What are the 5 core themes of liberalism?

Answer 2

1. Individualism
2. Freedom
3. Rationalism
4. Justice
5. Tolerance

Question 3

Why do liberals fear government power?

Answer 3

They fear it might break its social contract with them and exploit them

Question 4

What are 4 measures liberals will support to limit government power?

Answer 4

1. A written constitution
2. A bill of rights
3. A rule of law
4. Separation of powers

Question 5

Which 4 ideas unite classical liberals?

Answer 5

1. Egotistical individualism
2. Negative freedom (freedom from)
3. The state being a necessary evil
4. Civil society

Question 6

What are natural and inalienable rights?

Answer 6

Natural - all humans are born with these
Inalienable - they cannot be given or taken by others

Question 7

What are Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 7

Act - only consider the results of one act
Rule - consider the results of following a rule of conduct

Question 8

What is a nightwatchman state?

Answer 8

One which only interferes to protect rights and safety

Question 9

What is an enabling state?

Answer 9

One with socioeconomic responsibilities

Question 10

Who are the 5 key thinkers for liberalism?

Answer 10

1. John Locke
2. John Stuart Mill
3. Betty Friedan
4. Mary Wollstonecraft
5. John Rawls

Question 11

Which 4 things is John Locke known for?

Answer 11

1. Social contract theory
2. “Where there is no law, there is no freedom”
3. Nightwatchman state
4. Natural rights of “life, liberty, and property”

Question 12

Which 2 things is Mary Wollstonecraft known for?

Answer 12

1. Denying women formal equality is a check on everyone’s progress
2. Women’s focus on beauty limited their progress

Question 13

Which 4 things is John Stuart Mill known for?

Answer 13

1. Tolerance guarantees self-autonomy
2. Marketplace of ideas
3. Political participation aids self-development
4. Proposed plural voting

Question 14

Which 3 things is Betty Friedan known for?

Answer 14

1. The feminine mystique stifled women’s development and happiness
2. Post WW2, women had gone back to believing in domesticity
3. The government should intervene to facilitate opportunities for women

Question 15

Which 3 things is John Rawls known for?

Answer 15

1. Social justice (some inequalities should not be tolerated)
2. “Veil of ignorance” would see people choose egalitarianism
3. The difference principle (inequality should benefit the least well-off)