Explain and analyse three ways in which liberal thinkers have viewed the
role of the state [9 marks]
One way in which liberal thinkers have viewed the role of the state is the classical
liberal view of a limited state. As John Locke argued in Two Treatises of
Government, the state should be established by the people with a constitution in
place to ensure that state power is limited and there is a separation of powers to
ensure that one person or group cannot hold too much power. This view from the
Enlightenment movement, where opposition to monarchical divine right was
growing, instead argued that the role of the state should be limited to allow
individuals greater freedom.
Another way in which liberal thinkers have viewed the role of the state is the
modern liberal view of the enabling state. Thinkers such as John Rawls argued
that the role of the state should be to aim to increase equality of opportunity
through increased taxation and public spending, as strong public services,
particularly education, would allow individuals to achieve their full potential. As
modern liberals tend to argue for positive freedom, where people are given the
freedom to pursue multiple opportunities, they believe the state should have a
more active role in order to improve the opportunities of individuals.
One other way that liberal thinkers have viewed the role of the state is the late
classical approach as John Stuart Mill argued that the state’s role is to only
prevent other-regarding actions which limit individual freedom. Mill argued in On
Liberty that the state should follow the harm principle and overall be limited to
maximise individuals’ negative freedom. However, Mill also argued the state has
a role in providing education which would allow improved individual freedom.
Mark: 8/9
role of the state [9 marks]
One way in which liberal thinkers have viewed the role of the state is the classical
liberal view of a limited state. As John Locke argued in Two Treatises of
Government, the state should be established by the people with a constitution in
place to ensure that state power is limited and there is a separation of powers to
ensure that one person or group cannot hold too much power. This view from the
Enlightenment movement, where opposition to monarchical divine right was
growing, instead argued that the role of the state should be limited to allow
individuals greater freedom.
Another way in which liberal thinkers have viewed the role of the state is the
modern liberal view of the enabling state. Thinkers such as John Rawls argued
that the role of the state should be to aim to increase equality of opportunity
through increased taxation and public spending, as strong public services,
particularly education, would allow individuals to achieve their full potential. As
modern liberals tend to argue for positive freedom, where people are given the
freedom to pursue multiple opportunities, they believe the state should have a
more active role in order to improve the opportunities of individuals.
One other way that liberal thinkers have viewed the role of the state is the late
classical approach as John Stuart Mill argued that the state’s role is to only
prevent other-regarding actions which limit individual freedom. Mill argued in On
Liberty that the state should follow the harm principle and overall be limited to
maximise individuals’ negative freedom. However, Mill also argued the state has
a role in providing education which would allow improved individual freedom.
Mark: 8/9
