Central Themes of Liberalism Freedom For early liberals
Central Themes of Liberalism Freedom -For early liberals liberty was a natural right as opportunity to pursue individuals’ own interests. -Later, liberty were seen as as the only condition to develop skills talents and fulfill people’s potential. - No absolute freedom!
Negatif liberty: Free from interference • Positive Liberty: Ability to be one’s own master, to be autonomous Reason Human beings are rational creatures, anti-paternalism. Progress Free from the past and the tradition The importance of education Optimism about the human nature Power of self interest and egoism
Central Themes Of Liberalism Justice • Social justice: Distrubiton of material rewards and benefits in society: . wages, profits, housing, medical care, welfare benetfits and so on. . • Liberal belief: Human beings are born equal, • natural rights • Formal equality • No any privileges on the basis of gender, race, colour, creed, religion, social backround etc. (Formal equality) Legal equality: Equality before the law Political equality: one person, one vote, one values • Equal opportunity
Central themes of Liberalism Toleration and Diversity • Will to accept moral, cultural and political diversity • Public-private distinction and respect for the private • Contest, debate and argument as the fruit of diversity or multiplicity and the motor of social progress. • Natural equilibrum • Principle of balance
Liberalism, Government and Democracy The Liberal State • Freedom only exist under the law: Social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke • The state is created by individuals and for individuals • It exist to serve individuals’ needs and interests. • Government arises out of the consent of the governed. • When the legitimacy of the government gone, the people have the right of rebellion. • The state as neutrall referee in society.
Liberalism, Government and Democracy Constitutional Government • All governments have potential to tyranny. • Government can be limited through the establishment of constitutional constratints • A constitution: A set of rules that seek toallocate duties, powers and functions amongst the various institutions of government. • The power of government bodies and politicians can be limited by external legal constraints • Introduction of internal constraints to disperse power among a number of political institutions, a network of “checks and balances”. • Separation of powers
Liberalism, Government and Democracy • Rule by the people
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