Liberalism

A Level IdeologiesA Level Ideologies

LIBERALISMLIBERALISM

Liberalism is about . . .Liberalism is about . . .

Freedom and LibertyFreedom and LibertyIndividualismIndividualismGovernment that is constitutional, limited Government that is constitutional, limited and by consentand by consentTolerationTolerationJusticeJusticeEqual rights and equality of opportunityEqual rights and equality of opportunityPluralismPluralism

Liberalism & ‘progressive’ ideasLiberalism & ‘progressive’ ideas

Social reformSocial reform

EducationEducation

ScienceScience

Should all be directedShould all be directed

towards, and towards, and

lead to, the general lead to, the general

improvementimprovement

and progress ofand progress of

humankindhumankind

The origins of LiberalismThe origins of LiberalismThe EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

c1699 - 1699 - c18001800: an important starting point : an important starting point for what emerged as for what emerged as LIBERALISMLIBERALISM..Key ideas of the Enlightenment –Key ideas of the Enlightenment –• Free will of the individualFree will of the individual• People are born free, rational & individualPeople are born free, rational & individual• Individuals are the best judges of their own interestsIndividuals are the best judges of their own interests• People are free to find their own place in societyPeople are free to find their own place in society• People may be born with different talents, powers, skills and People may be born with different talents, powers, skills and

potentials – yet all should have equal rightspotentials – yet all should have equal rights

The origins of LiberalismThe origins of LiberalismThe Enlightenment – Key ThinkersThe Enlightenment – Key Thinkers

John LockeJohn Locke (1632-1704) (1632-1704)– ‘‘Two Treatises on Government’Two Treatises on Government’– Government had to be with the consent of the Government had to be with the consent of the

peoplepeople

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson (1743-1826) (1743-1826)– One of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the USAOne of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the USA– Individuals & the ‘pursuit of happiness’Individuals & the ‘pursuit of happiness’

The origins of LiberalismThe origins of LiberalismThe Enlightenment – RousseauThe Enlightenment – Rousseau

‘Man is born free, but is everywhere

in chains’

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‘The Social Contract’ (1762)

People are controlled by social and political restraints – Rousseau found this impossible to justify.

‘Chains’•The ‘real’ restraints on people imposed by absolute rulers.

and

•The denial of HUMAN RIGHTS – the basic freedoms to exist.

Freedom and LibertyFreedom and Liberty

The key element in liberalism.

Freedom/liberty may be political.

Freedom/liberty may be about/for the individual.

Freedom/liberty may be positive – the desire of individuals to be in control and not controlled.

Freedom/liberty may be negative – the absence of any kind of restraint.

IndividualismIndividualism

The individual as the best judge of their The individual as the best judge of their own interests – Utilitarianism.own interests – Utilitarianism.

The individual free from constraint.The individual free from constraint.

Constitutional, limited governmentConstitutional, limited government

Government must act within clearly defined Government must act within clearly defined boundaries.boundaries.

Government should not interfere with the Government should not interfere with the interests of individuals.interests of individuals.

Political power can be substantial – it must Political power can be substantial – it must always be controlled.always be controlled.

The most effective way of controlling The most effective way of controlling government (according to liberals) is to define government (according to liberals) is to define the extent of their power in a constitution.the extent of their power in a constitution.

TolerationToleration

Original link with religious toleration / freedom.Original link with religious toleration / freedom.

Modern liberalism – tolerance of sexuality, Modern liberalism – tolerance of sexuality, lifestyle.lifestyle.

JusticeJustice

Social justice – more a feature of modern than Social justice – more a feature of modern than traditional liberalism. Early liberals felt that social traditional liberalism. Early liberals felt that social justice might require too much intervention by justice might require too much intervention by the state.the state.

Legal justice – everyone equal before the law.Legal justice – everyone equal before the law.

Equal rights and equality of Equal rights and equality of opportunityopportunity

Equal right of individuals to reach potential – not Equal right of individuals to reach potential – not all liberals agree if this is a natural right or not.all liberals agree if this is a natural right or not.

Equality of opportunity – all are entitled to equal Equality of opportunity – all are entitled to equal life chances, this can be promoted initially life chances, this can be promoted initially through education.through education.


PluralismPluralism

The liberal belief that a healthy society and The liberal belief that a healthy society and political system is characterised by the existence political system is characterised by the existence of, and encouragement towards, group activity.of, and encouragement towards, group activity.

Group activity and opportunities help to promote Group activity and opportunities help to promote the freedom of individuals and limits the power the freedom of individuals and limits the power of government.of government.


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