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Liberalism Principle Beliefs - Coggle Diagram
Liberalism Principle Beliefs
Human Nature
First articulated by
John Locke
then refined by
J.S Mill
, strongly reflected the view associated with the Enlightenment.
Challenged the established, medieval notion of huamn nature, strongly tied to original sin, that human kind was deeply flawed and imperfect, with the only way to overcome this was acknowledging this and praying for God’s forgiveness.
Human problems are merely challenges awaiting reasoned solutions alongside determination.
Assume reasoned discussion leads to consensus, due to rationality being a universal feature of human nature.
Locke believed that human nature is guided by
tolerance and reason
Denied the bleak view, offering a more positive view on human nature.
Human nature has the capacity to bring about progress.
Individuals are guided by reason and rationalism, thus able to calculate answers to all sorts of problems.
Individuals can plan their own future and effect a preconceived outcome. Mankind’s innate reason is manifested in debate, discussion, peaceful argument and measured examination of ideas and opinions.
Individuals are self-seeking and self-serving
’Egotistical individualism’
Denotes human beings are naturally drawn to the advancement of their own interests, but deny this leads to conflict or insensitivity.
Mankind’s innate rationality to stop the destructive side of this, as they are sensitive to the perspectives of their fellow men and women.
Self-aware individuals, living in peace, harmony and understanding.
Tensions
Early classical liberals and neoliberals believe individuals are innately rational, happy and fulfilled, modern liberals believe in the potential of human nature.
Society
Locke
cited a
natural society
with
natural laws
and therefore
natural rights
.
Life before the creation of state was potentially pleasant, civilised and long.
Natural rights include propoerty, life, liberty and happiness, which all precede the state.
The belief in a natural society is why liberals place os much importance on the individual.
J.S Mill
emphasised the main purpose of any civilised soicety is to facilitate individualism.
Each individual has a unique personality and peculiar talents; that individuals are rational in pursuit of their own interest; individuals are egotistical in the desire to be self-reliant.
Each individual seeks
freedom
Tensions
Classical liberals believe society predates the state
All liberals believe that society is a collection of diverse potentially autonomous individuals seeking self- determination, self-realisation and self-fulfilment.
Modern liberals believe industrialised and urban societies are those where individuals are less autonomous and therefore require state support to be free (positive liberty).
Neoliberals see society as one where individuals have been hindered by positive freedom and this dependency culture must now be corrected by a radical reduction of state..
Some might see the ideal as no such thing as society just a collection of atomised individuals pursuing self-interest.
The State
Liberals believe that that individualism and capitalism work best when accompanied by a certain kind of state.
The Liberal State
Origins
Within the state of nature, there are clashes of interests between individuals pursuing their own egocentric agendas.
Individualism in the state of nature could be impeded by competing individuals so a state would be required to arbitrate between competing claims of rational individuals.
State of nature is tolerable but inferior to a formalised state.
Objectives
Rejection of Traditional State
Rejection of the type of state marked by monarchical, absolutist rule.
Rejection of state where the power is concentrated in the hands of one individual and randomly exercised.
Irrational perception of God’s will
False claim of a ‘divine right’ to govern
Government by Consent
State is only legitimate only if those under its jurisdiction have effectively volunteered to be under its jurisdiction.
People are not the subject of the government, people in the state would have ultimate control over it
Locke
’Government should always be the servant, not master, of the people’
This has a profound effect upon the relationship between politicians and people.
Social Contract
State should be a deal between governments and governed.
It states that in return for submitting to the state’s laws, the governed should be guaranteed certain rights.
Promotion of Natural Rights
Before any formal state, individuals enjoyed ‘natural rights’ that enabled self-realisation, self-determination and thus individualism.
Irrational for individuals to abandon natural rights and individualism by unconditionally submitting to any state.
Promotion of Tolerance
Voltaire
‘I detest what you say but will defend unto the death your right to say it’
J.S Mill
insisted that the state should tolerate all actions and opinions unless they were shown to violate the
harm principle
Individuals should be free to do anything unless it could be proved to harm the rights and freedoms of others within the state.
Individuals do not seen detachment or isolation from fellow individuals but are drawn to societies where individualism is accommodated.
Important the state should show tolerance toward such communities.
Meritocracy
Political power should only be exercised by those worthy.
No such guarantee that responsibility will be conferred upon the descendants of those who govern unless they demonstrate competence and integrity.
Equality of Opportunity
All individuals are born equally (
foundational equality
)
All individuals must have equal opportunity to develop their potential and achieve control of their own lives.
If an individual does not fulfil their potential, they must be able to completely assume responsibility, not attribute it to the state.
Justice
State should embody justice, with an assumption of individuals being treated fairly without regard to their identity.
Methods and Structures
Constitutional/ Limited Government
The social contract should be cemented by a formal constitution
Keeping with rationality, constituion should be preceded by extensive discussion.
Constitutional government could be described as limited government, imposing two main limitations.
Act according to prearranged rules
Prevent government froze roding natural rights.
Fragmented Government
Lord Acton
’Power tends to corrupt… and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely’.
Reflects belief in rationality - logical to empower as many individuals as possible in the exercise of state’s functions.
Formal Equality
All individuals have the same legal and poltical rights in society.
Significant emphasis on the doctrine of the ‘rule of law’ which holds that laws passed in a liberal state are applicable to everyone
Tensions
All liberals believe the state should function according to rules and procedure with fragmented power subject to those governed.
Classical liberals believe in a minimal state
Modern liberals believe in extensive state intervention to enable individuals to reach their potential.
Liberals vary in how democratic it should be:
Modern liberals satisfied with representative democracy, whereas classical saw democracy as a threat to property rights.
The Economy
Economic Liberalism
Private property-
Locke
considered a 'natural right'.
Individualistic in theory- individual traders cooperating and competing.
Ultimate benefit to all- thus revealing liberalism's eternal optimism and belief in progress.
Liberals support capitalism- key difference between liberalism and socialism.
Refute fundamentalist socialist anti-capitalist stance ultimately defending a market-based economy.
Liberalism's endorsement of capitalism also stems from individualism with the link to positive view of human nature.
Adam Smith
- the 'invisible hand of the market' would guide traders towards success, resulting wealth would 'trickle down'
Smith reflected the optimistic tone of liberalism's core values- optimism and for neo-liberals naivety.
Tensions
Liberals agree the economy should be based on private property and enterprise.
Classical liberals and Neoliberals agree laissez-faire's prevalence, but modern liberals have more sympathy with Keynesian economics
Explains modern liberal support for supranational bodies like the EU with managed capitalism.
Neoliberals see these organisation as a threat to global free trade.