Where did Liberal ideas emerge from?
The Reformation , a religious movement of the late 15th and 16th centuries, which argued individuals no longer needed to rely on intermediaries. Instead, Christianity should assume a more individualistic character, with each person undertaking their own individual communication with God
What event extended Liberal ideas?
The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement of the mid 1600s that extended these religious ideas into the political and secular world. The movement was defined by reason, not religion, free thinking, not blind faith, and rational scrutiny, not spirituality. It sought to replace assumptions with more tolerant and inquiring attitudes.
What had been assumed prior to the Enlightenment?
The natural form of government was autocratic, that rulers were appointed by God, and that the monarch’s wishes should be automatically accepted by his subjects due to their ‘divine right’. However, these assumptions were disputed by Enlightenment philosophers, like Locke.
How did Enlightenment philosophers, like Locke, dispute pre-enlightenment assumptions using mechanistic theory?
They argued that ordinary individuals should create, by themselves, and for themselves, a political system based on reason, rather than tradition or superstition as human beings are rational and can build a state that reflects their needs. This principle is often known as mechanistic theory.
Describe John Locke’s contribution to liberalism
He is often seen as the father of liberal philosophy and was a central figure in classical liberalism. His book 1690 Two Treatises of Government is seen as the cornerstone of liberal thought. He raised questions and the type of state that was therefore appropriate
What did Locke argue?
He denied the traditional, medieval principle that the state was part of God’s creation and that monarch’s had a divine right to govern.
He also rejected that ordinary people were subjects of the state with a quasi religious obligation to obey the monarch
He argued a legitimate state would be one created by mankind to serve mankind’s interests and required the consent of the governed
What did Locke say about the state of nature? And conversely the alternative state of law?
Prior to the state’s existence there was a natural society which existed as the state of nature. It was underpinned by natural rights, natural laws and natural justices and was therefore not one people wished to leave. The alternative state of law, the modern state was designed to improve an essentially tolerable situation by resolving disputes between individuals more efficiently than under the state of nature
What did Locke say about human nature?
Locke took an upbeat view of human nature and believed it was guided by rationalism
What did Locke think the alternative state of law (the modern state) needed?
It would only be legitimate if it respected natural rights and natural laws, ensuring individuals were no worse off under formal laws than the state of nature. The structure of the modern state must therefore embody the natural rights and natural liberties that preceded it.
Similarly, the state must have voluntary consent of citizens accepting the state’s rulings, in return for the state improving their situation. A principle later known as social contract theory
What do liberals believe about humans?
Each human is unique and endowed with certain natural rights such as the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of self fulfilment
What do liberals think humans are driven by?
They believe humans are fundamentally driven by egotistical individualism/ self interest
Think every individual seeks self realisation, self determination, self fulfilment
What is self realisation?
To discover our true unique selves
What is self determination?
To be masters of our own fate
What is self fulfilment?
To make the most of our unique talents
What do liberals believe happens to humans when denied self realisation, self determination and self fulfilment? What is this argument key to?
They are left demoralised, de-energised and afflicted by the sense of a wasted life
This argument is at the heart of complaints made by liberal feminists like Wollstonecraft and Friedan who believed male and female individuals shared a desire for self-fulfilment and self-determination
What did Wollstonecraft do for liberalism?
She developed classical liberal ideas, her most important publication was A Vindication of the Rights of Woman 1793. Despite gender being crucial to her arguments, they were rooted in liberal individualism
How do liberals defend human’s egotism?
Critics of liberalism like Conservative thinker Hobbes would say egotism makes for selfishness and endless conflict between individuals but liberal thinkers like Locke and John Stuart Mill argue while our behaviour is egotistical, it is also rational and respectful to others. They argue we are guided by reason and logic, not emotion and impulse. Hence, our rationality helps us to realise that selfishness and disrespect for others can rebound to others.
How do Liberals see human nature?
While we are fundamentally self centred, we are also thoughtful and empathetic, drawn to intelligent compromise and mutual understanding
What do liberals think about the progressive nature of humans?
Believe in developmental individualism, the theory that human nature is not set in stone, instead that it is constantly progressing and developing through greater knowledge, improved understanding of the world and greater education. This links to the doctrine of utilitarianism that asserts humans are guided by the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain
Are liberals optimistic?
They are optimistic about the human condition and reject the idea of Original sin- the Old Testament doctrine which insists humanity is innately flawed and inclined to fail. Liberals challenge this, offering a more positive view of human nature
What do liberals think humans have the capacity for?
To effect steady progress and increase human happiness. They think that although life does bring difficulties, through rational discussion and informed debate, solutions can be found
How did Rawls define society?
The peaceful. voluntary interaction of multiple individuals
What do Liberals believe about the beginning of society?
They believe society is not dependent on the existence of a state. They argue as human nature is respectful and fundamentally decent, society predates the state. Hence Locke’s reference to the ‘natural society’ and a mainly peaceful ‘state of nature’. They believe that due to mankind’s rationality, this natural society facilitated natural rights, natural laws, and natural justice
What do liberals believe about life before the state?
It was not nasty, brutish and short as conservative thinkers like Hobbes argued. Instead, it was agreeable and generally efficient
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British constitution70
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Parliament62
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PM and the cabinet80
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UK Judiciary51
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Devolution30
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Democracy and participation63
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Elections and referendums74
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Political parties41
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Pressure groups32
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The European Union25
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US constitution57
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Comparing constitutional arrangements31
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Legislative: Congress49
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Executive: President39
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Comparing executives0
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US Judiciary0
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Comparing judiciaries4
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Electoral process and direct democracy0
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US political parties0
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Comparing electoral and party systems0
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US pressure groups0
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Comparing pressure groups0
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Civil rights0
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Comparing civil rights0
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Liberalism92
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Core liberal ideas24
