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Liberalism
Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles
Individualism & Freedom/Liberty
● Places rights of the individual over the rights of the group in society.
● Primacy of the individual - an individual has responsibility for their own actions and is a
rational being. Individuals' right to choose their own actions should be protected.
● Individual v State - state should not harm the rights of the individual and dislike strong and
paternalistic states which intervene. Oppose government intervention in the free market,
government welfare and other state policies which restrict individual rights.
● Egotistical individualism - belief that individual freedom involves satisfying one's own
desires and needs. State which is as small as possible.
● Development individualism - individuals wish to live alongside each other. More state
intervention than egotistical individualists. Support the idea that the state can make
individuals more free by providing them welfare and support.
Freedom
● Individual freedom is the main focus
● Does not include absolute freedom as this may harm other people
Role of the State
● Should ensure individual liberty and not extend beyond what is necessary
Capitalism
● Free choice and capitalism is the best way to ensure individual freedom in society and the
economy
Harm Principle
● John Stuart Mill proposed the ‘Harm Principle’ to deal with the problem of when it is
appropriate for society to restrict individual liberty and decided individual liberty can be
restricted if an individual's actions may risk harm to others.
Positive Liberty
● Individuals are given freedom to do as they wish.
Negative liberty
● Individual is free from external contracts and interference to do as they wish.
The State and Rationalism
● Necessary evil - provides structures to avoid disorder and harm. Evil because it has the
power to coerce individuals and restrict individual liberty.
● Paternalism - disagree with paternalism as it restricts individual freedom by an external
body.
● Limiting the state - state should be as limited as possible through constitutionalism and an
independent judiciary. Classic liberals support laissez faire economics and support only
limited state intervention in the economy. Modern liberals support more state intervention in
the economy and society.
Rationalism
● Making decisions based on weighing up all possible outcomes with logic and reason.
Support individual freedom and self determination.
● Paternalist ideologies - one nation conservatism. Believe some individuals are not able to
make the right or best decision.
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● Progressive society - no human is less rational than any other. Support tolerance and
progressive societies.
● Tolerance - willingness to respect opinions, values, customs and beliefs of others which
you disagree with.
Equality and Social Justice
● Equality - belief that all individuals should have equal rights and are of equal value.
● Foundational equality - rights all humans have from being born. Etc; Human Rights Act
● Socialists - believe in foundational equality
● Conservatives - do not believe is foundational equality as they accept inequality as a
natural party of society
● Formal equality - all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society. Different
from foundational equality as the state has to provide rights by law to ensure this type of
equality. Etc; Rule of Law
Equality of Opportunity
● Idea all individuals should have equal chances in life.
● Socialists
○ Democratic socialists believe in equality of outcome.
○ Social democrats believe in equality of opportunity
● Conservatives
○ Modern conservatives believe in equality of opportunity. Accept the need for an
enabling welfare state which provides basic welfare to ensure no one falls below a
certain standard of living.
Liberal Democracy
● Respects the will of the people and has regular free and fair elections.
● Government is held accountable
● Limited government
● Checks and Balances
Other Important Liberal Ideas
● Laissez faire capitalism
● Keynesian economics - the government should have key involvement in the economy.
Supported by modern and social liberals.
● Meritocracy - individuals should succeed based on their ability
● Mechanistic theory - idea the state is a man made creation that individuals create to serve
their interests
● Social contract theory - state is set up with the agreement from the people to respect its
laws
Differing Views and Tensions Within Liberalism
Classical Liberalism
● Minimal state - enough institutions to keep order in society
● Economy - laissez faire economics. Market is able to allocate scarce resources most
efficiently.
● Private space - state does not infringe on personal space. State should not impose a
moral code.
Liberalism
Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles
Individualism & Freedom/Liberty
● Places rights of the individual over the rights of the group in society.
● Primacy of the individual - an individual has responsibility for their own actions and is a
rational being. Individuals' right to choose their own actions should be protected.
● Individual v State - state should not harm the rights of the individual and dislike strong and
paternalistic states which intervene. Oppose government intervention in the free market,
government welfare and other state policies which restrict individual rights.
● Egotistical individualism - belief that individual freedom involves satisfying one's own
desires and needs. State which is as small as possible.
● Development individualism - individuals wish to live alongside each other. More state
intervention than egotistical individualists. Support the idea that the state can make
individuals more free by providing them welfare and support.
Freedom
● Individual freedom is the main focus
● Does not include absolute freedom as this may harm other people
Role of the State
● Should ensure individual liberty and not extend beyond what is necessary
Capitalism
● Free choice and capitalism is the best way to ensure individual freedom in society and the
economy
Harm Principle
● John Stuart Mill proposed the ‘Harm Principle’ to deal with the problem of when it is
appropriate for society to restrict individual liberty and decided individual liberty can be
restricted if an individual's actions may risk harm to others.
Positive Liberty
● Individuals are given freedom to do as they wish.
Negative liberty
● Individual is free from external contracts and interference to do as they wish.
The State and Rationalism
● Necessary evil - provides structures to avoid disorder and harm. Evil because it has the
power to coerce individuals and restrict individual liberty.
● Paternalism - disagree with paternalism as it restricts individual freedom by an external
body.
● Limiting the state - state should be as limited as possible through constitutionalism and an
independent judiciary. Classic liberals support laissez faire economics and support only
limited state intervention in the economy. Modern liberals support more state intervention in
the economy and society.
Rationalism
● Making decisions based on weighing up all possible outcomes with logic and reason.
Support individual freedom and self determination.
● Paternalist ideologies - one nation conservatism. Believe some individuals are not able to
make the right or best decision.
, 45
● Progressive society - no human is less rational than any other. Support tolerance and
progressive societies.
● Tolerance - willingness to respect opinions, values, customs and beliefs of others which
you disagree with.
Equality and Social Justice
● Equality - belief that all individuals should have equal rights and are of equal value.
● Foundational equality - rights all humans have from being born. Etc; Human Rights Act
● Socialists - believe in foundational equality
● Conservatives - do not believe is foundational equality as they accept inequality as a
natural party of society
● Formal equality - all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society. Different
from foundational equality as the state has to provide rights by law to ensure this type of
equality. Etc; Rule of Law
Equality of Opportunity
● Idea all individuals should have equal chances in life.
● Socialists
○ Democratic socialists believe in equality of outcome.
○ Social democrats believe in equality of opportunity
● Conservatives
○ Modern conservatives believe in equality of opportunity. Accept the need for an
enabling welfare state which provides basic welfare to ensure no one falls below a
certain standard of living.
Liberal Democracy
● Respects the will of the people and has regular free and fair elections.
● Government is held accountable
● Limited government
● Checks and Balances
Other Important Liberal Ideas
● Laissez faire capitalism
● Keynesian economics - the government should have key involvement in the economy.
Supported by modern and social liberals.
● Meritocracy - individuals should succeed based on their ability
● Mechanistic theory - idea the state is a man made creation that individuals create to serve
their interests
● Social contract theory - state is set up with the agreement from the people to respect its
laws
Differing Views and Tensions Within Liberalism
Classical Liberalism
● Minimal state - enough institutions to keep order in society
● Economy - laissez faire economics. Market is able to allocate scarce resources most
efficiently.
● Private space - state does not infringe on personal space. State should not impose a
moral code.
