To what extent is there tension between liberalism and the principle of equality?
- Created by: Sophie
- Created on: 13-04-16 09:58
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- To what extent is there tension between Liberalism and the principle of equality?
- No Tension
- Foundational Equality
- People born equal, of = moral worth
- Notion of 'natural rights' which should be protected by the state and form part of Locke's social contract theory
- Jefferson 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' and 'all men are created equal'
- Locke 'life, liberty and property'
- 'Difference blind'
- Gender, race, religion, creed, social background means anyone should be treated the same
- Formal Equality
- Indv should enjoy equal rights and entitlements
- Same legal status, 'equality before the law', and one person, one vote, one value
- Mill argued for suffrage of women
- Equality of Opportunity
- Level playing field
- With equal chance some will rise, some will fall, Spencer 'survival of the fittest' Darwinian concept
- Foundational Equality
- One of key tenets of liberalism
- Tension
- Socialists say it is inegalitarian
- Principle of equality of op legitmises social inequalities
- Economic and legal equality is inconsequential if indv have diff social circumstance
- Economy
- Classical liberals
- Free market economy guarantees equality
- Inequalities act as an economic incentive
- Smith 'Invisible hand'
- Inequality is natural and in a free society, all social outcomes are just
- Social equality undesirable bc people born with different talents, and wilingness to work
- Modern liberals
- Want to narrow social inequalities
- Intervention with the welfare state
- Social inequality only acceptable if works in interests of the least well off
- Linking eq of op to greater amount of eq of outcome
- Beveridge Report 1942 five evils 'want, squalor, disease, ignorance and idleness'
- Availability of healthcare, education, and social stability would expand opportunity for all, no matter their birth circumstances
- Classical liberals
- Legal equality
- Mill did not want to give the working class suffrage because they will vote for 'lower pleasures'
- Socialists say it is inegalitarian
- No Tension
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