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Summary Liberalism Key thinker quotes
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Quotes from key thinkers in liberalism
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Liberalism Key QuotesKey thinkers:
Locke
Social contract theory
Limited government:
“Life, liberty and property”- natural rights, state (what it should protect), freedom
“Where laws don’t exist, man has no freedom”- limited govt, freedom
“Preservation of property”- state’s role, freedom
Mill
“The only acceptable restraints to freedom are those which prevent the individual from
curtailing the freedom of others”
“To prevent harm to others”
Harm principle- self-regarding vs other regarding actions, we should be free to pursue our
own interests as long as they don’t harm others.
“Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign”
Depotism of custom- warns against a society where everyone acts the same, a liberal society
is diverse and tolerates different lifestyles. Tolerance
Utilitarianism- those actions that result in the most happiness are the best (Bentham)
“Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness”
However, there are higher pleasures that are worth more and superior to pure happiness;
“It is better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied”
Advocated for proportional representation and female emancipation.
Developmental individualism, higher pleasures
Laissez faire
Rawls
The veil of ignorance- people would rather have a fairer society, difference of outcome
between rich and poor should be minimal.
“Justice as fairness”- social welfare, redistribution
"The principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance"
“Equality of fairness”- egalitarian society
The “difference principle”- social and economic inequalities should be arranged to benefit
those least well off i.e., progressive tax, liberal welfare state
His theory of justice is still liberal as it is rooted in egoism and self-interest not social
solidarity.
“when the liberties are left unrestricted they collide with one another”- justice, society,
freedom
Rationalism in human nature
Wollstonecraft
“The mind has no gender”
Women are rational and independent beings therefore should have all the same rights as men
Opportunity to pursue a career, full civil liberties
Emphasis on education in developing women’s talents and character
Formal equality- demand for equal status and rights
State’s role in education, more opportunities to better society- state, economy, justice
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