Liberalism core themes

Individualism
1. Individual over any other social group or collective body
2. Some liberals see society as a collection of individuals
3. C. B. Macphearson, (classical), 'possessive individualism'. Individual regarded the individual as proprietor of his own interests
4. All liberals have a desire to create a society where each person is capable pf developing and flourishing to the fullness of his or her potential
5. Egoism and self love are natural
Freedom
1. Liberty gives individuals freedom/ opportunity to pursue their own interests by exercising choice
2. If liberty is unlimited it can become 'licence' to abuse others
  1. John Stuart Mill
    1. Freedom should only be limited to prevent harm to others (harm principle)
3. Negative Freedom
  1. each person to be left alone, freedom from external intervention
    1. Classical Liberals
      1. Sumner "A drunken in the gutter is where he ought to be"
      2. Smiles "heaven helps those who help themselves"
      3. Belief in the free market
4. Positive Freedom
  1. freedom to achieve self rationalisation
    1. Modern Liberals
      1. Beveridge, 5 giants
      2. Equality of opportunity
Reason
1. Capacity to weigh up options and arrive at a justified conclusion
  1. This ability is innate
  2. Different and competing interests can be taken to a third person who can weigh up and make a judgement (legal system)
Justice
1. Human Equality
2. Formal Equality
3. Equality of opportunity
Toleration
1. Voltaire, "I detest what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it"

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Liberalism core themes

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	Created by Yasmine King almost 8 years ago