essay plan - to what extent do modern
liberals accept the ideas of classical
liberals?
Introduction - correct answer-
Disagree (State intervention) - correct answer-- Shared idea that the state is a 'necessary
evil' to disagreement comes to with the extent of state
- Modern liberals (Rawls) don't accept the classical liberal ideas of limited government
intervention in society and the economy
- Rawls advocates for an enabling state that helps the poorest in society through welfare
measures like public spending and services and a Keynesian economy
- The state is obliged to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in society
- This can also be evidenced through tensions between positive (modern) and negative
freedom (classical) from the state
- Harm principle (Mill) is an example of disagreement with state intervention
Mostly Agree (Foundational equality and human nature) - correct answer-- Modern liberals
share views of human nature with classical liberals
- Classic liberals (Wollstonecraft) argued that both genders are defined by rationalism and
therefore should be treated equally within society
- This view derives from a broadly positive view of human nature (Locke) as humans have
the capacity to reason
- Modern liberals share this positive view by focusing more on the co-operative aspects of
self-interest
- Can be seen in a communitarian approach rather than an individualist society
Partly disagree (Economy) - correct answer-- Whilst liberals agree that free market
capitalism and free trade between nations is better than systems of feudalism, slavery,
socialism or protectionism and that free market capitalism unleashes the potential of
individuals who are fundamentally rational (Mill) and guided by self-interest (Locke), modern
liberals favour more state intervention in the economy
- Rawls favours an enabling state that utilised a Keynesian economic system. By
encouraging growth, and keeping unemployment down, the state can ensure freedom, social
justice and equality (Rawls)
- This tension evidences the difference in focus between classic and modern liberals
between freedom and equality
Conclusion - correct answer-
liberals accept the ideas of classical
liberals?
Introduction - correct answer-
Disagree (State intervention) - correct answer-- Shared idea that the state is a 'necessary
evil' to disagreement comes to with the extent of state
- Modern liberals (Rawls) don't accept the classical liberal ideas of limited government
intervention in society and the economy
- Rawls advocates for an enabling state that helps the poorest in society through welfare
measures like public spending and services and a Keynesian economy
- The state is obliged to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in society
- This can also be evidenced through tensions between positive (modern) and negative
freedom (classical) from the state
- Harm principle (Mill) is an example of disagreement with state intervention
Mostly Agree (Foundational equality and human nature) - correct answer-- Modern liberals
share views of human nature with classical liberals
- Classic liberals (Wollstonecraft) argued that both genders are defined by rationalism and
therefore should be treated equally within society
- This view derives from a broadly positive view of human nature (Locke) as humans have
the capacity to reason
- Modern liberals share this positive view by focusing more on the co-operative aspects of
self-interest
- Can be seen in a communitarian approach rather than an individualist society
Partly disagree (Economy) - correct answer-- Whilst liberals agree that free market
capitalism and free trade between nations is better than systems of feudalism, slavery,
socialism or protectionism and that free market capitalism unleashes the potential of
individuals who are fundamentally rational (Mill) and guided by self-interest (Locke), modern
liberals favour more state intervention in the economy
- Rawls favours an enabling state that utilised a Keynesian economic system. By
encouraging growth, and keeping unemployment down, the state can ensure freedom, social
justice and equality (Rawls)
- This tension evidences the difference in focus between classic and modern liberals
between freedom and equality
Conclusion - correct answer-
