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Essay Unit 2 - Governing the UK
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- Unit 2 - Governing the UK
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- PEARSON (PEARSON)
liberalism essay plan
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To What Extent Are Liberals United InTheir Views On The State? (24) Politics
Explained Essay Plan
Topic ➡️ Core Political Ideas, Liberalism
Structure ➡️ Two Agreement Paragraphs, One Disagreement Paragraph
This Essay Plan Is Part Of A Package Of 12 Essay Plans Covering The Core Ideologies Part Of The
Politics A Level Course For The Edexcel Exam Board, Whilst Being Useful For The AQA Exam
Board. It Can Be Purchased Here ➡️
https://www.politicsexplained.co.uk/
Keep In Mind ➡️
These are long plans. In the exam, you would need to adapt them for the
specific question you are asked and you certainly wouldn’t need to include everything. The
judgements are also subjective and you don’t have to agree with them!
Paragraph One ➡️
Liberals Agree In A Limited State Based On The
Consent Of The Governed
Liberals view the state as necessary to prevent disorder and chaos, but they are also deeply
worried about its evil potential to infringe on individual liberties. As a result, they argue that its
powers should be limited.
The idea that the state should be limited is a core tenet of liberal thought, as they are deeply
worried about the potential of an arbitrary state and government to threaten the rights and
freedoms of individuals.
Liberals are strongly influenced by Locke’s belief in natural rights; that in the pre-political
condition, individuals possess inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property simply by virtue
of their humanity.
In this context, a tyrannical state is seen as a potential threat to the rights and liberties
that exist in natural society prior to the creation of a state.
Liberals believe that a state is necessary to prevent disorder and adjudicate disputes by
providing law and order. However, their fear of tyranny leads to them supporting checks
and balances within government, a clear separation of powers, and the protection of civil
To What Extent Are Liberals United In Their Views On The State? (24) Politics Explained Essay Plan 1
, liberties in the constitution. This should result in a limited/constitutional government and
one where power is fragmented, as seen in the US Constitution.
They also seek to prevent government overreach in economic affairs, as they believe
that a too powerful state can stifle economic freedom and innovation by imposing
excessive regulations, taxes, and controls. Liberals see the role of the state in the
economy as creating a favourable environment for businesses and individuals to thrive,
rather than controlling or directing economic activities.
This also reflects their belief in the mechanistic theory of the state; that the state has been
created by the people to directly serve their interests like a machine. By giving the state
clear roles and limits, they ensure that it operates effectively and doesn’t interfere with
individual liberties.
Crucially, liberals also believed that the state should be a liberal democracy based on the
consent of the governed and that it should therefore serve in their interests. The emergence of
liberalism in the 17th century was in large part about the opposition to divine right and arbitrary,
autocratic government.
Locke's social contract theory suggested that individuals form governments through an
implicit agreement to ensure the protection of their natural rights, such as life, liberty, and
property. This theory asserts that the legitimacy of a government stems from the consent of
the governed, and its authority is conditional upon its ability to safeguard these rights
effectively.
Importantly, however, liberals are fearful of the potential for tyranny of the majority;
democracy threatening the rights and freedom of individuals and minority groups by simply
fulfilling the will of the majority.
As a consequence, liberals support a state that is limited by a robust system of checks
and balances, an independent judiciary and strong protection of rights.
Paragraph Two ➡️
Liberals Agree That The State Should Promote
Individualism, Tolerance and Protect The Rights Of Minorities
Liberals believe that the state should be focused on promoting individualism and freedom,
including through the promotion of tolerance of diverse viewpoints and the protection of
minorities.
They believe that society and politics should be structured to promote the autonomy,
freedom and well-being of each individual, rather than primarily serving the interests of
groups, whether these are defined by class, religion, or any other collective identity.
This emphasis on individualism leads liberals to support tolerance; the idea that the state
should accommodate and protect various beliefs, lifestyles, and identities, as long as they do
not harm others. Liberals recognise that the state protecting minority rights and allowing
diverse perspectives to coexist are essential to individual freedom and societal progress.
John Stuart Mill's harm principle, articulated in his work "On Liberty," encapsulates this
idea, arguing that individuals should be free to act as they wish, provided they do not harm
To What Extent Are Liberals United In Their Views On The State? (24) Politics Explained Essay Plan 2
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