A-level Politics
Core Political Ideas Liberalism Revision:
Useful Resources:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/liberalism/
Political Science Blog covers all three core ideologies.
https://www.tutor2u.net/politics/collections/profiles-of-key-political-thinkers (Key Political Thinkers).
https://www.academia.edu/33060576/The_Major_Ideologies_of_Liberalism_Socialism_and_Conservatism_Political_Studies_2015
Four Key Themes of Political Ideologies Studies:
Human Nature
The State
Society
The Economy
, Liberalism:
Key Thinkers: Ideological Views: Key Principles:
John Locke (1632-1704) Classical Liberalism: Early 1) Individualism
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–97) liberals who believed individual 2) Freedom/Liberty
John Stuart Mill (1806-73) freedom would be achieved with 3) The State
John Rawls (1921-2002) minimal state role. 4) Rationalism
Betty Friedan (1921-2006) Modern Liberalism: Against 5) Equality/Social
free-market capitalism. Justice
6) Liberal
Freedom could not be defined
Democracy
as ‘being left alone’.
Origins and Overview:
• According to the UN, 2/3 of world states are now considered Liberal Democracies. Most
influential, and main destination for the majority of advanced societies.
• Dates to the 15th and 16th centuries, with Martin Luther arguing that the Church should not
control access to religion. Led to the rise of Protestantism and greater education emphasis.
• Mid-17th century Enlightenment towards more secularised views, sees the extension of thought
into political sphere.
• English Civil War (1640’s), American Civil War (1776), French Revolution (1789), political
liberalism expanded as the Scientific Revolution took hold.
• Government implications: philosophers in politics, replace tyrannical rule, science should be
used to understand life and politics, and good governance should be designed through reason.
Human Nature:
Classical Liberalism:
• John Locke believed in the importance of Natural Rights (Life, Liberty and Property).
• Shifting focus from people in social groups, class association, to individualism.
• Egotistical Individualism: Human beings are naturally drawn to the advancement of selfish
interest as long as it does not infringe on others (Self Realisation, Self Determination and Self
Fulfilment). Failure to achieve such as women or minorities = wasted and demoralised life.
• Stuart Mill argued that whilst we are egotistical, we are all rational and capable beings.
• Wollstonecraft and Stuart Mill perceived it to be harder for women to achieve all three.
• Liberty was a natural condition of human beings, existing long prior to any social organisation.
• People should be able to pursue goals without interference or obstruction.
• Optimistic but not idealistic, reflection is important.
• Locke and Mill believed reason was a natural human capacity. Individuals are imperfect, but
rational enough to manage disagreement peacefully. Links to natural state of freedom.
• Live according to moral rules, controversial issues best solved through discussion and debate.
• A person’s rationale can be enhanced by experience and discussion.
• People succeed or fail owing to their own efforts and self-determined position in society.
• Foundational Equality: All humans born equal in moral worth.
• Negative Freedom: The highest point of freedom is freedom from constraint.
Modern Liberalism:
• Friedan argued that women were forced to give up dreams to advance those of husbands or
children. Need to remove barriers to entry.
• Not equal, some have a distinct advantage whilst a person’s autonomy is overstated.
• John Rawls believed a person thrived or underachieved based on their circumstances.
Core Political Ideas Liberalism Revision:
Useful Resources:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/liberalism/
Political Science Blog covers all three core ideologies.
https://www.tutor2u.net/politics/collections/profiles-of-key-political-thinkers (Key Political Thinkers).
https://www.academia.edu/33060576/The_Major_Ideologies_of_Liberalism_Socialism_and_Conservatism_Political_Studies_2015
Four Key Themes of Political Ideologies Studies:
Human Nature
The State
Society
The Economy
, Liberalism:
Key Thinkers: Ideological Views: Key Principles:
John Locke (1632-1704) Classical Liberalism: Early 1) Individualism
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–97) liberals who believed individual 2) Freedom/Liberty
John Stuart Mill (1806-73) freedom would be achieved with 3) The State
John Rawls (1921-2002) minimal state role. 4) Rationalism
Betty Friedan (1921-2006) Modern Liberalism: Against 5) Equality/Social
free-market capitalism. Justice
6) Liberal
Freedom could not be defined
Democracy
as ‘being left alone’.
Origins and Overview:
• According to the UN, 2/3 of world states are now considered Liberal Democracies. Most
influential, and main destination for the majority of advanced societies.
• Dates to the 15th and 16th centuries, with Martin Luther arguing that the Church should not
control access to religion. Led to the rise of Protestantism and greater education emphasis.
• Mid-17th century Enlightenment towards more secularised views, sees the extension of thought
into political sphere.
• English Civil War (1640’s), American Civil War (1776), French Revolution (1789), political
liberalism expanded as the Scientific Revolution took hold.
• Government implications: philosophers in politics, replace tyrannical rule, science should be
used to understand life and politics, and good governance should be designed through reason.
Human Nature:
Classical Liberalism:
• John Locke believed in the importance of Natural Rights (Life, Liberty and Property).
• Shifting focus from people in social groups, class association, to individualism.
• Egotistical Individualism: Human beings are naturally drawn to the advancement of selfish
interest as long as it does not infringe on others (Self Realisation, Self Determination and Self
Fulfilment). Failure to achieve such as women or minorities = wasted and demoralised life.
• Stuart Mill argued that whilst we are egotistical, we are all rational and capable beings.
• Wollstonecraft and Stuart Mill perceived it to be harder for women to achieve all three.
• Liberty was a natural condition of human beings, existing long prior to any social organisation.
• People should be able to pursue goals without interference or obstruction.
• Optimistic but not idealistic, reflection is important.
• Locke and Mill believed reason was a natural human capacity. Individuals are imperfect, but
rational enough to manage disagreement peacefully. Links to natural state of freedom.
• Live according to moral rules, controversial issues best solved through discussion and debate.
• A person’s rationale can be enhanced by experience and discussion.
• People succeed or fail owing to their own efforts and self-determined position in society.
• Foundational Equality: All humans born equal in moral worth.
• Negative Freedom: The highest point of freedom is freedom from constraint.
Modern Liberalism:
• Friedan argued that women were forced to give up dreams to advance those of husbands or
children. Need to remove barriers to entry.
• Not equal, some have a distinct advantage whilst a person’s autonomy is overstated.
• John Rawls believed a person thrived or underachieved based on their circumstances.
