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Paper 1 Politics A level Ideology Essay Plans
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Paper 1 Politics Edexcel A level Ideology Essay Questions and Plans
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Liberalism essay plansTo what extent do modern liberals accept the ideas of classical liberals?
Liberalism is a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and
free enterprise. Classical liberals believe in individual autonomy, limited government, economic freedom, and
political freedom. Modern liberals share similar views with regards to ideas of liberty and equality but believe
in a ‘checked-and-validated’ market. In this essay I will discuss the extent to which modern liberals accept the
ideas of classical liberals by assessing the agreements and disagreements of the two ideologies.
- Rationalism. Both classical and modern liberals support the role of human rationalism. They believe
that humans are capable of reason and logic. Rationalism allows individuals to define their own best
interest. Liberals are confident in their intellectual ability to construct theories to create a progressive
society. Locke, a classic liberal, believed that ‘reason must be our last judgement and guide in
everything’. Similarly, modern liberal Rawls believed in human rationalism and that no rational person
would choose to be born into a society where there is no guarantee of decent social welfare.
- Liberal democracy is a key agreed upon idea of liberalism. Liberals believe in free elections, competing
parties, free press, free speech and human rights. Mill believed that the state should be tolerant of
diverse opinion. He also supported representative democracy as limiting tyranny of the majority.
Tolerance of difference and diversity is a key belief.
- Role of state. The state is a divisive issue amongst liberals. Classical liberals believe in a minimal state.
the state should be the umpire, often described as the ‘night watchman’. It should uphold laws and
freedom and leave the rest to the individual. In contrast modern liberals believe in an enabling state
which should expand freedom and opportunities for those unable to do so themselves. Betty Friedan
and Mary Wollstonecraft supported the need for an enabling state in expanding freedom to women in
response to women’s rationalism being the same as men’s. For example, Mary Wollstonecraft
advocated for female suffrage while Friedan supported legislation to allow women greater decision in
their role.
- Economy. Classical liberals advocate for laissez-faire attitudes towards the economy. The state is a
‘necessary evil’ and must not intervene in the economy. Modern liberalism advocates for greater
state involvement. The state should promote equality of opportunity. Modern liberals believe in
Keynesianism which states that healthy economies invest or spend more which therefore the
government must play a large role in. This is most closely linked to socialism due to high taxation.
To what extent do modern and classical liberals agree over the role of the state?
Liberalism is a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and
free enterprise. A core idea of liberalism is the belief that the state should do the minimum to protect law and
order but not interfere with individual freedom of choice. However, there is disagreement between modern
and classical liberals as to the extent that the state should be involved in the life of an individual. In this essay I
will further outline the idea that modern and classical liberals disagree over the role of the state and the
opposing view of the statement that modern and classical liberals agree over the role of the state to a great
extent.
- Classical liberals believe in minimal role of the state. The state should not restrict individual choice
and instead should only uphold laws. John Locke believed that the state must be strongly controlled
and must have minimal function. If the state has too many functions it is likely to interfere with
individual liberties. Modern social liberals believe instead in an enabling state. The state should be
responsible for expanding freedom and opportunities for those unable to do so themselves. Betty
Friedan and Mary Wollstonecraft supported the need for an enabling state in expanding freedom to
women in response to women’s rationalism being the same as men’s.
- There is also disagreement between the state’s role in the economy. Classical liberals advocate for
egotistical individualism within society and a laissez-faire attitude to the economy. This involves the
state not interfering with the economy and instead allowing individual businesses and people to
navigate the economy. In contrast modern liberalism supports Keynesianism in which demand drives
supply and that healthy economies spend or invest more, so the government plays a large role in the
economy. Linked to socialism and the idea of high taxation to support a welfare state. Linked to
modern liberal John Rawls who believed that if humans could make rational choices, they would
choose to be born into a fair and free society, this includes the economy and economic opportunities
supported by the state.
- J.S Mill offers a middle ground between classical and modern liberals, having established work in both
ideologies. While he initially believed in restraint of the state in order to maximise freedom of the
, individual and supported the no-harm principle. He later agreed with the modern liberal view that
state intervention is necessary to help individuals attain developmental individualism. This ability to
share a view of both modern and classical views of the role of the state suggests that to a relatively
great extent there is agreement between modern and classical liberals.
- Another factor which suggests that liberalism largely agrees upon the role of the state is that the role
of the state is one of liberalisms core ideologies. The state being a minimal entity is largely agreed
upon it is simply the extent to its minimalism that is disagreed upon.
To what extent is liberalism more concerned with society than with the economy?
Liberalism is a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and
free enterprise. In general, liberalism supports a capitalistic economy as it can give people the most freedom.
This allows us to acknowledge that liberalism is generally more concerned with society rather than the
economy. However, differing views emerge between classical and modern liberalism. Classical liberals have a
greater capitalistic view on the economy by favouring a laissez fair approach. Whilst modern liberalism is
supportive of state intervention to curb the excesses of the market economy in order to promote social justice
and equality of opportunity.
- Modern and classical liberals disagree on the importance of the economy in relation to society.
classical liberalism believes in free market with little govt intervention. Locke agreed that govt
intervention in the economy is unnecessary since it should be limited and individual liberty should be
safeguarded. No state intervention allows society to have more freedom as liberals believe individuals
are rational and can make rational economic choices.
- Modern liberals more conscious of the failings of the free market. They argue for state intervention to
promote social justice and equality of opportunity. Rawls supports this view by arguing that large
enabling states are required so that individuals who are poor might realise their full potential.
Although classical liberals value the economy more than society, modern liberalism places a higher
value on society that the economy, through utilising it for the benefit of the people.
- Liberals cherish the idea of equality of opportunity. Both types of liberalism value societal needs over
the economy. Because of meritocracy liberals believe that there will be a rich poor division. Friedan
would agree as she believed in equality of opportunity; wanting men and women to have equal access
to the same opportunities. Liberals believe that the economy can bring equal opportunities to society.
Modern liberals promote equality of opportunity through supporting economic freedoms using taxes
to provide more equal opportunities.
- The economy has the potential to undermine societal goals. Mill and Rawls belief that society must
be just and guarantee all citizens a fulfilling life. Mill changed his views in his later writing to
support greater state intervention to provide positive freedoms. However, the laissez faire
economy prevented this as it led to an unfair economic system this is due to the system supporting
capitalism thus wealth is privately owned, disadvantaging the poor. Hence, the economy will
overpower society, concluding that liberalism prioritises the economy more.
Overall, we may conclude that, while modern liberalism prioritises society over the economy, it
nonetheless employs the economy to a large extent to assist society by providing equal opportunities. As
a result, liberalism appears to be more economically focused, as all liberals manage the market to
conform to their societal views, negative freedom, and equality of opportunity.
To what extent do classical and modern liberals agree about human nature?
Liberalism is a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and
free enterprise. It can largely be said that there is agreement with regards to the belief in individualism and
rationalism. However, there is disagreement amongst liberals with regards to the role of the state in
supporting human nature. Classical liberals believe in limited government while modern liberals support an
enabling state. In this essay I will further outline the view that liberals agree upon human nature as well as the
opposing view that classical and modern liberals disagree about human nature.
- Shared belief in individualism. Humans are individuals and should be treated as such. Individual rights
are more important than majority rights. Tyranny of the majority must be avoided. Mill believed in
freedom of the individual based upon the no harm principle. Individual liberty is essential for the
development of the individual.
- Rationalism. Positive view of human nature as they believe that humans are capable of reason and
logic. Locke believed that ‘reason must be our last judgement and guide in everything’. Rationalism
enables an individual to define their own best interests and make their own moral choices. Similarly,
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