Edexcel Politics A-Level: Liberalism | Practice Test / Quiz / MCQs

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Edexcel Politics A-Level: Liberalism

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What is Liberalism?
Liberalism is seen essentially as a product of The Enlightenment as it recognises that humans are rational creatures capable of understanding the world and making decisions for themselves. The defining feature of liberalism is its belief in individualism and freedom.

There are three content areas:
1. Liberalism: core ideas and principles
2. Differing views and tensions within liberalism
3. Liberal thinkers and their ideas.

Edexcel Politics A-Level: Liberalism

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25 Questions

1. Locke - Social contract theory What is it? Further explain what are the conditions to the contract and consequences? What was the idea based on and why does that link him to classical liberalism

Classical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individuals1. John Locke - Classical liberal - Social contract theory -> state was created to serve the individual not the other way around, hypothetical agreement - Idea based on the liberal assumption of human rationality - 'Where there is no law, there is no freedom' - Advocate of a limited government which must be restrained by law - Gov derives its legitimacy from the people and should govern in accordance with natural rights - Two Treatises of Government 2. John Stuart Mill - Classical liberal - Harm principle -> individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals - Highlighted the importance of tolerance, evidenced in his advocation for the enfranchisement of women as an MP (radical view at the time) - In favour of an inheritance tax which would limit the natural advantages handed to the aristocracy 3. John Rawls - Modern liberal - Society must guarantee a life worth living for all - Attempted to reconcile individual freedom and the avoidence of excessive inequality within society - Veil of ignorance hypothesis - Rejected both communism and unregulated capitalism as too extreme and instead argued for a middle ground where the state distributes wealth to those who are suffering in poverty - A Theory of Justice 4. Betty Friedan - Men and women are just as capable of one-another yet oppressive laws and social views restrict them - Women are stigmatised into not partaking in a career - The state must do more to ensure equal workplace rights, her philosophy was grounded in the liberal belief of equality of individuals, rights and opportunity 5. William Gladstone - Liberal PM - Introduced competitive examinations for the civil service to discourage nepotism - Therefore advocating for a meritocratic society and greater equality of opportunity 6. Sir William Beveridge - Wrote The Beveridge Report - Claimed the state should help its citizens 'from cradle to grave' - Helped create the Labour Party and the NHS 7. Jeremy Bentham - Concept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism, he argued that individuals were capable of deciding what was in their best interests and were motived by achieving their own goals - Benthen argued that individuals should be free to pursue their own interests given they are not infringing upon the freedom of othersSocial contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interest

2. Jeremy Bentham - liberty Connected to which school of thought? What did Bentham argue gov should... Mechanistic view.... ...driven

Classical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individualsConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interestSocial contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individual1. John Locke - Classical liberal - Social contract theory -> state was created to serve the individual not the other way around, hypothetical agreement - Idea based on the liberal assumption of human rationality - 'Where there is no law, there is no freedom' - Advocate of a limited government which must be restrained by law - Gov derives its legitimacy from the people and should govern in accordance with natural rights - Two Treatises of Government 2. John Stuart Mill - Classical liberal - Harm principle -> individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals - Highlighted the importance of tolerance, evidenced in his advocation for the enfranchisement of women as an MP (radical view at the time) - In favour of an inheritance tax which would limit the natural advantages handed to the aristocracy 3. John Rawls - Modern liberal - Society must guarantee a life worth living for all - Attempted to reconcile individual freedom and the avoidence of excessive inequality within society - Veil of ignorance hypothesis - Rejected both communism and unregulated capitalism as too extreme and instead argued for a middle ground where the state distributes wealth to those who are suffering in poverty - A Theory of Justice 4. Betty Friedan - Men and women are just as capable of one-another yet oppressive laws and social views restrict them - Women are stigmatised into not partaking in a career - The state must do more to ensure equal workplace rights, her philosophy was grounded in the liberal belief of equality of individuals, rights and opportunity 5. William Gladstone - Liberal PM - Introduced competitive examinations for the civil service to discourage nepotism - Therefore advocating for a meritocratic society and greater equality of opportunity 6. Sir William Beveridge - Wrote The Beveridge Report - Claimed the state should help its citizens 'from cradle to grave' - Helped create the Labour Party and the NHS 7. Jeremy Bentham - Concept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism, he argued that individuals were capable of deciding what was in their best interests and were motived by achieving their own goals - Benthen argued that individuals should be free to pursue their own interests given they are not infringing upon the freedom of others

3. Liberals - Society overview Classical view -> advocated what Both believe in what equality? Modern liberals believe in what is not enough to achieve ___

Concept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interest1. John Locke - Classical liberal - Social contract theory -> state was created to serve the individual not the other way around, hypothetical agreement - Idea based on the liberal assumption of human rationality - 'Where there is no law, there is no freedom' - Advocate of a limited government which must be restrained by law - Gov derives its legitimacy from the people and should govern in accordance with natural rights - Two Treatises of Government 2. John Stuart Mill - Classical liberal - Harm principle -> individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals - Highlighted the importance of tolerance, evidenced in his advocation for the enfranchisement of women as an MP (radical view at the time) - In favour of an inheritance tax which would limit the natural advantages handed to the aristocracy 3. John Rawls - Modern liberal - Society must guarantee a life worth living for all - Attempted to reconcile individual freedom and the avoidence of excessive inequality within society - Veil of ignorance hypothesis - Rejected both communism and unregulated capitalism as too extreme and instead argued for a middle ground where the state distributes wealth to those who are suffering in poverty - A Theory of Justice 4. Betty Friedan - Men and women are just as capable of one-another yet oppressive laws and social views restrict them - Women are stigmatised into not partaking in a career - The state must do more to ensure equal workplace rights, her philosophy was grounded in the liberal belief of equality of individuals, rights and opportunity 5. William Gladstone - Liberal PM - Introduced competitive examinations for the civil service to discourage nepotism - Therefore advocating for a meritocratic society and greater equality of opportunity 6. Sir William Beveridge - Wrote The Beveridge Report - Claimed the state should help its citizens 'from cradle to grave' - Helped create the Labour Party and the NHS 7. Jeremy Bentham - Concept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism, he argued that individuals were capable of deciding what was in their best interests and were motived by achieving their own goals - Benthen argued that individuals should be free to pursue their own interests given they are not infringing upon the freedom of othersClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individualsSocial contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individual

4. Liberal key thinkers (7)

1. John Locke - Classical liberal - Social contract theory -> state was created to serve the individual not the other way around, hypothetical agreement - Idea based on the liberal assumption of human rationality - 'Where there is no law, there is no freedom' - Advocate of a limited government which must be restrained by law - Gov derives its legitimacy from the people and should govern in accordance with natural rights - Two Treatises of Government 2. John Stuart Mill - Classical liberal - Harm principle -> individuals should be free to do anything except harm other individuals - Highlighted the importance of tolerance, evidenced in his advocation for the enfranchisement of women as an MP (radical view at the time) - In favour of an inheritance tax which would limit the natural advantages handed to the aristocracy 3. John Rawls - Modern liberal - Society must guarantee a life worth living for all - Attempted to reconcile individual freedom and the avoidence of excessive inequality within society - Veil of ignorance hypothesis - Rejected both communism and unregulated capitalism as too extreme and instead argued for a middle ground where the state distributes wealth to those who are suffering in poverty - A Theory of Justice 4. Betty Friedan - Men and women are just as capable of one-another yet oppressive laws and social views restrict them - Women are stigmatised into not partaking in a career - The state must do more to ensure equal workplace rights, her philosophy was grounded in the liberal belief of equality of individuals, rights and opportunity 5. William Gladstone - Liberal PM - Introduced competitive examinations for the civil service to discourage nepotism - Therefore advocating for a meritocratic society and greater equality of opportunity 6. Sir William Beveridge - Wrote The Beveridge Report - Claimed the state should help its citizens 'from cradle to grave' - Helped create the Labour Party and the NHS 7. Jeremy Bentham - Concept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism, he argued that individuals were capable of deciding what was in their best interests and were motived by achieving their own goals - Benthen argued that individuals should be free to pursue their own interests given they are not infringing upon the freedom of othersConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interestClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individualsSocial contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individual

5. The state - How should government be organised? What do liberals argue for? Why is this an effective method?

6. What are the similarities between classical and modern liberals? (4)

Social contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individualsBoth seek to enhance individual freedom -> just in different ways -> both believe individuals are rational with inherent value - Both endorse equality of opportunity and equal civil rights - Both wish to place limits on power of state eg limited gov etc -> state should be as small as possible but understand it as necessary - Both support fundamental concepts of private ownership and capitalismConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interest

7. Different views of the state - Common ideas Both endorse what Key liberal reforms in uk ____ theory is ?

Social contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individualsSome common ground (classic/modern) - Both endorse devolution, protection of civil liberties - Major liberal reforms in the UK include Human Rights Act and the Freedom of Information Act - Liberals do not love the state -> favour mechanistic theory of state which means it was created to serve the people (not visa-versa)Concept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interest

8. Differing views of freedom - Modern liberals Believe what is insufficient Can amount to ' x ' Those disadvantaged ___ Why modern libs endorse x -> explain

9. The state - Core Why do liberals accept the state? Why is power mistrusted Quote - Lord Acton Therefore..

10. Liberals - The state overview What contract is central to liberal thought Believe in what type of gov (explain) to prevent? Keen to disperse ___

Social contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interestClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individualsCentral to liberal thought is concept of social contract -> idea that state is based on the agreement of ppl who give up some freedom in exchange for security - Believe in limited gov -> c&b, sop, B.o.r to prevent abuse of power - Also keen to disperse authority through devolution to ensure it is not highly concentrated

11. Betty Friedan - Key ideas (2)

12. Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-97) - Key ideas

Social contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualWomen are rational, independent beings - In order to be free, women should enjoy full civil liberties and the ability to pusue a careerClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individualsConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interest

13. What are the differences between classical and modern liberals? Freedom? Society? State?

Social contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individualsFreedom:- C -> negative freedom - M -> state needs to intervene to help those disadvantaged by capitalism and society Society - C -> society essentially a collection of independant individuals (egoistical individualism) - M-> society more interconnected with common goals (linked to +ve freedom) State - C -> state intervention may reduce individual self-relience and undermine rationality - M -> state intervention necessary to promote equitable society in which people can make most of talents (enabling state). This means provision of welfare to relieve povertyConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interest

14. Different views of the state - Modern liberals Believe in ___ state (explain) Arrived due to what historical background? Argued for what consequently

15. Rationalism in action What do liberals accept and what is their preferred method? What did late 19th century liberals do? Policy in international relations and give 3 examples

Social contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualLiberals accept competition between individuals, groups and nations will regrettably produce conflicts -> favour use of reasoned debate to solve disputes - Liberals in late 19th century were at the forefront of developing industrial arbitration -> neutral 3rd party would resolve the issue (both sides win = rational) - In international relationsm liberals view war as a last resort, liberals were at forefront of the creation of the League of Nations and later the UNConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interestClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individuals

16. Individualism - Introduction Libers stress x>y Immanuel Kant argued all individuals are what? -> people are... ...'categorical imperative'

17. Individualism - 2 interpretations - Alternative view ___ individualism -> what is individual freedom linked to ???

2. Developmental individualism -> concept more widely accepted -> view that individual freedom is linked to the desire to create a society in which each person can flourishSocial contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interestClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individuals

18. Individualism and tolerance Define tolerance What kind of right is it? Example of liberal tolerences

19. John Stuart Mill - Core principles What was his most important contribution? He was in favour of what in order to promote fairness? What were his views on tolerance and give an example

Most important contribution was the harm principle (-ve freedom) which expanded into his advocation for a strictly limited role of government - In favour of an inheritance tax which would limit the natural advantages given to those in the upper classes - Mill upheld the idea of tolerance and the right for everyone to have the opportunity to express their view -> notably he campaigned for equal voting rights for men and women which was especially radical at the timeSocial contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interestClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individuals

20. Individualism (human nature) - Classical liberal view ____ individualism -> minimises what? Collection of ?

egoistical individualism -> view that all people are essentially self-seeking & self-reliant -> minimises importance of society, just a collection of independent individualsConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interestSocial contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individualClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individuals

21. John Stuart Mill (1806-73) Key ideas (2)

22. Equality and social justice Liberals reject what and thus say what should be rewarded? The resulting acts as what? A good _____ Eg liberal PM ____

23. John Rawls - Core What was his book called and what did he attempt to reconcile? He accepted that there would always be __ Describe his hypothesis eg veil of ignorance Rejected which 2 extremes

Best known for A Theory of Justice in which he attempted to reconcile individual freedom and avoidence of excessive inequality in society - He accepted there would always be a degree of inequality, but said that society should aim to minimise the difference in the outcomes for best off and poorest - Hypothesised a situation where a 'veil of ignorance' would be placed over a group of 'unequal' people in different classes so they were unaware of their wealth and background -> he believed that upon deciding how society should be like individuals would want to mitigate risk and agree that natural rights should be established with the highest standard of living possible in case they were those disadvantaged - Rejected two extremes of communism and unregulated capitalism instead favouring a middle ground where the state distributes wealth to those who are suffering in povertyClassical liberals downplayed importance -> primarily a collection of individuals pursuing self-interests -> they advocated meritocracy where individuals succeed via hard work/ ability - Belief in foundational equality -> people are born equal and should be treated so (political and legal rights) - Modern liberals believe that this is not enough to achieve full equality and therefore advocate some state intervention (linked to +ve freedom) -> they believe society is more than a collection of individualsConcept of liberty central to school of thought utilitarianism -> leading thinker Jeremy Bentham maintained that each individual can decide what is in his or her interests - He argued gov should not prevent people from doing what they want unless they threaten others' rights to liberty (-ve) - A mechanistic view of human behaviour that saw people as driven by rational self-interestSocial contract -> idea that state society and government are based on a theoretical voluntary agreement - People should accept authority of gov so long as it upholds its part of the contract -> if gov breaks the contract through infringing on the natural rights of people, being intolerant or not respecting property rights -> the people are entitled to resist - Idea based on reason in that no rational person would submit to brutal authoritarian rule as it is not in their best interests -> classical liberal view that the gov should serve the individual

24. John Rawls Key ideas on society (2)

25. Views on the state - The Beveridge Report - Modern liberals What 2 liberal concepts did he progress Describe report and its consequences quote

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❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

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All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | OSHA Basics Quiz | What Should We Know?
Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com