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LIBERALISM - Coggle Diagram
LIBERALISM
ORIGINS OF LIBERALISM
- roots found in enlightenment.
- early liberalism argued humans were born both free and morally equal and no one naturally had a right to rule over others.
- directly attacked natural govt of the time - the monarchy.
- promoted a belief in reason rather than faith and advocated importance of the individual and freedom.
- early liberalism was radical and potentially revolutionary.
- its ideas were central to the 1776 American Declaration of Independence and 1789 French Declaration of the Rights of Man.
- has developed different variants since - classical and modern.
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CORE IDEAS: HUMAN NATURE
- optimistic view emerged from the enlightenment and opposed to the religious view that humankind is imperfect and flawed, founded in the concept of original sin.
- locke argued humans are naturally free, equal and independent and are not naturally under the authority of any other body or person.
- locke's idea that individuals should be given the widest possible freedom to act according to their will is based on their possession of reason.
- humans are rational and tolerant.
- disputes can be settled through discussion and challenges can be overcome by reason so there is little need for violent revolution.
- ability of individual to pursue their own self-interest rationally produces happiness and social progress.
- overtime, this view was seen as too optimistic and it was felt that the egotistical approach led to inequality.
- friedan argued the state needed to step in to tackle inequality and allow individuals to be truly free.
- rawls argued human nature has capacity for toleration and mutual respect.
CORE IDEAS: THE STATE
- a human construction.
- based on social contract theory - it is rational for individual to give consent to govt when it benefits them and withdraw it when it no longer does this.
- govt by consent is govt from below through free, fair, regular elections.
- locke argued state must be limited to stop emergence of a tyrannical govt that could remove natural rights - the state can be limited by constitutionalism and fragmented govt.
- modern liberals supported universal suffrage while being concerned about tyranny of the majority so have emphasised constitutionalism to strengthen limits on govt.
- to promote individualism, the state should be a meritocracy rather than through the hereditary principle or artificial privilege of aristocracy.
- success or failure is down to the individual as all are born morally equal and should receive equal opportunities.
- modern liberals more positive about states ability to improve lives and see an expanded role for the state in helping people to help themselves.
- the power of govt should not be arbitrary or concentrated in the hands of one person.
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CORE IDEAS: SOCIETY
- optimistic view of human nature underpins view of society.
- locke argued there was a natural society in the state of nature.
- natural society is built on the principle of individualism and as natural society is peaceful teh state should act as a neutral umpire, safeguarding the natural law and rights found in natural society.
- wollstonecraft was critical of society's failure to recognise the rights of women.
- society should be tolerant and diverse, respecting the individuals right to hold their own beliefs and values as long as they do not restrict the rights of others.
- mill believed competition between ideas will sharpen and refine good ideas whilst exposing the weaknesses of bad ideas.
- from late 20th century liberals have championed rights of minority groups.
- friedan argued the state had to take a more proactive role incl positive discrimination to ensure there was real equality of opportunity for women in the present.
CORE IDEAS: THE ECONOMY
- approach to economy underpinned by central belief in right to property - locke.
- the free market, based on private property, incentivises the individual to make rational choices.
- this is the embodiment of freedom so liberals support capitalism and thus some inequality of wealth distribution.
- govt should be limited to ensuring property is secure and contracts are honoured to allow for free trade and competition - a free market.
- 'invisible hand' of the market is automatic, guiding individuals to make rational choices.
- optimistic view sees the market guiding individuals to economic success, creating wealth for all individuals and for all nations.
- some modern liberals saw free-market capitalism as creating social and economic obstacles to individuals achieving their full potential.
- has led modern liberals to endorse keynsian economics.
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