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Liberalism - key thinkers - Coggle Diagram
Liberalism - key thinkers
John Rawls (1921-2002)
Key points:
'veil of ignorance' and the 'original position'
a more equal society within a capitalist state
tax & redistribution
'justice as fairness', for all citizens
freedom & equality can coexist
modern
1) core liberal principle of
'foundation equality'
meant individuals required of formal equality (law & constitution) and greater social & economic equality, necessary to ensure a just society where all lives could be rich & fulfilled, this can only be provided by significant redistribution of wealth via an enabling state with extensive public spending & progressives taxation
Wrote 'A theory of justice'
2) proved redistribution of wealth isnt socialism,
'original position'
to ask individuals to construct a superior society, second
'veil of ignorance'
about who they might be in new society
when faced with conditions, human nature (rational and empathetic) choose society where poorest have better conditions
while many choose to help poorest, they still want considerable scope for individual liberty, self-fulfilment and thus inequalities of outcome
lot of poor improved by state, but not argue gap between richest and poorest narrowed, thus distinct from socialism
Betty Friedan (1921-2006)
Key points:
liberal feminism
'the problem with no name'
choice and freedom for women
the interventionist state, equality of opportunity
anti-discrimination, an activist seeking to change attitudes, the state has a role to play
modern
Wrote 'The Feminine Mystique' 1963
Individualism:
all individuals should be free to seek control over their own lives and full realisation of their potential
gender was a serious hindrance to those individuals that were female
Women's underachievement:
illiberal attitudes in society is what condemned women to underachievement
these attitudes nurtured and transmitted via 'cultural channels' notably schools, media, organised religion etc
these channels of 'cultural conditioning' left many women convinced their lot in life determined by human nature rather than nationality & enterprise - Frieden wanted to challenge this irrational assumption
Liberal constitutionalism:
disdained violence or illegality as a means of pursing change
significant process can be possible via legal equality, brought about by procedures of a liberal state
acknowledged principles of US constitution & endorsed its capacity to allow continuous improvement to individuals lives
rejects radical feminist argument that state is patriarchal and under control of dominant gender
John Locke (1632-1704)
Key points:
natural rights; 'life, liberty, property'
social contract theory
consent to be governed
right to revolt
limited function and purpose of gov
toleration
classic
Book 'Two Treaties of Government' key cornerstone of liberal thought
Ruling:
denied traditional, medieval that state was God's creation, as well as the divine right of kings
rejected notion that ordinary people were subjects of the state with quasi-religious obligation to obey monarchs ruling
true state is one created by mankind, from consent of those governed
Natural society:
prior to state's existence, 'natural society' which served mankind interests tolerably well - state of nature - rationalism
believed state of nature underpinned by 'natural laws', 'natural liberties' and 'natural rights'
the alternative 'state of law' designed to improve upon tolerable situation, meant to resolve disputes more efficiently than state of nature
state of law only legitimate if natural rights and laws respected; states structure must embody natural rights & liberties
must reflect voluntary consent to accept state's rulings in return for state improving their situation (social contract theory)
Limited government:
because of contractural nature, have to embody limited gov - always representing interests of governed and always requiring ongoing consent of governed
dispersal of powers e.g. executive & legislative branches separate, lawmakers seperate form law enforcers
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-97):
Key points:
impact of French Revolution 1789
rights and freedoms not just for men
formal equality
human, not male rationality
the significant of education
republicanism
classic
wrote 'A vindication of the Rights of Women'
Human nature:
Enlightenment's optimistic view of reason should be applied to all human beings
18thC England, both society and state implied women not rational, thus denied individual freedom & formal equality
e.g. women rarely had land ownership
women could not vote for who governed them, violation of 'government by consent'
Female individualism:
fetting female indiviudalism, nations like England limiting their stock of intelligence, wisdom and morality
final of liberty to an entire gender left society vulnerable to doctrines that threatened spirit of enlightenment
Revolutions:
welcomed American Revolution 1776 & French Revolution 1789
a vindication of the rights of men, attacked Burke's critique of French revolution
importance for republican government & formal equality, constitutional defence of individual rights
formal equality for all, French Revolution emphasis on 'citizens' and indifference to gender differences
Women themselves:
women complicit in their subjugation, often only desire marriage & motherhood
formal education should be made available for as many as possible
without this, individuals not recognise their potential & never recognise the absurdity of illiberal principles e.g. divine right of kings
John Stuart Mill (1806-73)
Key points:
views changed on role of the state
harm principle, self regarding and other regarding
individuality & uniqueness, developmental individualism
tolerance and freedom
fear of democracy, tyranny of the majority
links to classic & modern
'transitional liberalism' and 'developmental liberalism'
Negative freedom:
work On Liberty
freedom mainly involved an absence of restraint
connected to harm principle, individuals actions tolerated by state or individuals, unless demonstrated action harm others
Human actions:
'self-regarding' or 'other regarding' actions
former, not infringe on the freedom of others and thus tolerated, later, clearly did 'harm' the freedom of others in society so not tolerated by liberal state
diverse opinions important as new ideas emerge and bad ideas exposed via rational debates
Liberty:
not just as a 'natural right' and an end in itself but as an engine of ongoing development - human nature was never the 'finished article', always room for improvement
Individualism:
not want to liberate individuals as they were present, instead pondered what individuals could become
termed 'individuality' since referred to as developmental individualism
"better to be socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied"
any support for liberty had to look as man as a progressive being
Democracy:
concerned principle of 'government by consent' would be compromised if wishes of some individuals overwhelmed by wishes of most individual citizens
feared 'tyranny of majority'