Core Values of Liberalism
- Created by: cg97
- Created on: 20-05-15 09:27
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- Core Values of Liberalism
- The Individual - each person fulfilling their potential
- Methodological - Society made up of individuals so they are central to political theory
- Egotistical - Emphasises self-interest and self-reliance (there is no such thing as society)
- Ethical - Society should be constructed so as to benefit the individual, give moral priority to individual rights
- Developmental - Prioritises society flourishing over individual self-interest
- Freedom - Liberals believe that freedom is a fundamental right
- Libertarians (JS MILL): "Too much liberty can limit liberty - selfish actions restrict the freedoms of others" (Preferred the Harm Principle
- Radical Libertarians (JOHN RAWLS): "Everyone is entitled to the widest level of liberty" - individual is sovereign over all aspects of their life and body
- Classical Liberals (JOHN LOCKE): Believes in 'negative freedom' -> absence of constraints and interference
- Modern Liberals (ISAIAH BERLIN): Freedom is being one's own master. This has led to the belief that gov should interfere to ensure equality of opportunity for all
- Reason
- Liberals believe humans to be rational, thinking creatures capable of defining and pursuing their own interests - in order to do this, they must be free
- This idea rejects paternalism and tradition
- Embraces education and rationalism
- Justice - giving people their due
- Foundational Equality - Humans are born equal so have equal moral worth
- Equality of Opportunity - Have the same opportunity to rise of fall within society
- Formal Equality - All have the same rights and entitlements -> they reject social privileges based on 'irrational' factors e.g. race, gender, religion etc.
- Reject ides of equality of outcome - FAVOUR MERITOCRACY INSTEAD (inequalities based on abilities
- Toleration
- JS MILL: Toleration guarantees personal autonomy to pursue moral self development
- VOLTAIRE: "I detest what you say but I shall defend to the death your right to say it"
- It is both an ethical and social principle
- Represents the goal of personal autonomy
- Sets rules as to how humans should treat one another
- The Individual - each person fulfilling their potential
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