Question
To what extent do modern liberals accept the ideas of classical liberals?
Argument?
More agreement
Paragraph topics
The importance of the individual (agree)
Rationality (agree)
Equality (disagree)
Classical liberal views on the importance of individuals?
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 individuals?
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 views 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?
Rawls argued that “rights secured by justice are not subject to political bargaining or to the calculus of social interests.” This highlights the modern liberal view that individual rights should be protected as fundamental, not sacrificed for the greater good of society.
Classical liberal view on human rationality?
Classical liberals believe that humans are fundamentally rational and self-interested beings who are capable of making decisions that benefit them; this underpins their view on state and society.
Classical liberal thinker on human rationality?
Locke’s social contract theory emphasises that due to the rational nature of humans they would consent to the creation of a nightwatchman state that protects the natural rights (“life, liberty and estate”).
Modern liberal views on human rationality?
Modern liberals believe that humans are fundamentally rational, and with this rationality they will intervene if they see a person in trouble, anticipating that the favour be returned.
Modern liberal thinker on human rationality?
Rawls’ “veil of ignorance” concluded that rational humans would choose a society with positive freedom and an enabling state.
Classical liberal views on equality?
Classical liberals believe in the importance of formal/legal equality (everyone should have the same rights under the law). However, they believe that differences in wealth or social status are natural outcomes of individual effort.
Classical liberal thinkers on equality?
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 view that when people are free to invest, and work, as they choose, they have equality of opportunity.
Modern liberal views on equality?
Modern liberals believe in substantive equality, supporting state intervention, via Keynesian economics, to reduce economic and social inequalities such as poverty, so that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Modern liberal thinkers on equality?
Beveridge’s idea that “a starving man is not free” formed the basis of the UK’s welfare state. This is reinforced by Locke idea 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 government intervention is justified for creating equality.
