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Detailed, thorough notes on Liberalism based on the suggested Edexcel A-Level textbook
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LiberalismRameta Ramanen
Definitions:
Developmental individualism: the view that individual freedom is linked to the desire to
create a society which each person can grow and flourish
Egotistical individualism: the idea that individual freedom is associated with self-interest
and self-reliance
Tolerance: A willingness to accept values, customs and beliefs with one disagrees
Negative freedom: freedom from interference by other people
Positive freedom: having the capacity to act on one's free will and to realise personal
potential
Limited government:where the role of the government is limited by checks and balances, by
a separation of powers because of the corrupting nature of power
Minimal state:the state should not interfere in economic and social life more that what is
necessary
Enabling state:a larger state that helps individuals to achieve their potential and be free
Laissez-faire capitalism:an economic system organised by the market, where foods are
produced for exchange and profits, and wealth is privately owned
Keynesianism:an economic system that requires government involvement to stimulate the
economy to achieve full employment and price stability
Equality of opportunity:the idea that all individuals should have equal chances in life to rise
and fall
Meritocracy:a society organised on the basis that success is based on ability and hard work
Social contract:an unofficial agreement shared by everyone in a society in which they give
up some freedom for security
Mechanistic theory:the theory that people created the state to serve them and act in their
interests
Foundational equality:rights that all humans have by virtue of being born, which cannot be
taken away
Formal equality:individuals should enjoy the same legal and political rights in society
Harm principle:the idea that an individual should be free to do anything except harm other
individuals
Core themes:
Individualism
Individuals have more importance than any social group or collective bodies
Kant believed all individuals are unique and have equal worth; they should be used
as 'ends' not 'means' (people should not be used as instruments to achieve a
particular goal, but should be regarded as possessing their own intrinsic value -
categorical imperative)
Classical liberals: believe in egotistical individualism, which minimises the
importance of society, seeing it as a collection of independent individuals
, Modern liberals: believe in developmental individualism, used to justify support for
some state intervention in society to help the disadvantaged
Tolerance is a key idea, natural rights, should not be taken away against the will of
the individual
Freedom/Liberty
Most important of all liberal values
Early liberals objected to authoritarian governments claiming the right to take
decisions on behalf of people
Understand that freedom can never be absolute but must be exercised under the
law, in order to protect people from interfering with each other's rights
John Locke - 'where there is no law, there is no freedom'
John Stuart Mill: inspired by authoritarian Bentham, thought pursuit of pleasure and
avoidance of pain was too simplistic – put forward the idea of negative freedom;
individuals should only be subject to external restraints when their actions
potentially affect others
Modern liberals thought Mill’s ideas were too limited as it viewed society as a
collection of independent atoms - believe in positive freedom, where state
intervention is necessary for individuals to control their own destiny, to develop
personal talents and achieve self-fulfilment
The state (Limited government)
Liberals accept state is necessary to avert disorder and protect the vulnerable from
exploitation but mistrust power (as humans are self-seeking and would use power to
pursue their own interests, at the expense of others)
Oppose the concentration of power as it could lead to people benefiting themselves
and using others for their own ends – Acton: ‘Power tends to corrupt, and absolute
power corrupts absolutely’
Argue for limited government, with checks and balances, supporting the idea of
constitutionalism (a separation of powers)in order to prevent a concentration of
power
Favour a bill of rights, which provides a clear statement of citizen’s rights and
defines the relationship between citizens and the state
Support devolution (UK) (diluted power) – alternative system is feudalism (USA)
Limited state links with laissez-faire capitalism – Adam Smith; self-interest plays a
massive part in economic growth – ‘it is not the benevolence of the butcher, brewer
of the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard for their own interest’
Rationalism
Human reason – individuals should be free to exercise their judgement about their
own interests without needing to be guided by external authorities (e.g. state,
church), might make mistakes but it is better to take responsibility than be guided by
externa authorities
Liberals were encouraged by the development of scientific learning (18 th -19th
century) , pushed back boundaries of human understanding and liberated people
from a blind faith
Linked with a progressive society; personal development of the individual promoted
wider social advancement
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