...Now, liberalism proponents disagree on how to define this minimum area, what types of states and institutions are most appropriate and so on, and what means should be used. But, generally speaking, the central claim of liberalism includes that the state must protect some minimum area of our individual freedom. A second central claim of liberalism is rationalism, this idea that human reason is seen as important. In other words, the critical reasoning of the individual is assumed to allow for improvements to be made to our societies. So this is an optimistic view of human nature, that we have individual freedom to use our reason to come up with better ways of living together in societies. And the third claim of liberalism that we'll mention today is...
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...In Charles Larmore’s essay, he tries to illustrate the idea of political liberalism from board to narrow. Firstly he admits that liberalism is a controversial issue even between its adherents and adversaries, but that is not worthless to investigate. Larmore points out that there are two basic problems motivate us to continue research this project. The first one is we always try to seek the moral limits to the government. This is not just that provide rules to constrain the conduct of the rulers. More significant point is to find out the common goods that the government ought to promote and recognize. The second basic problem is that the increasing awareness that the reasonable people tend to differ and disagree about the nature of the good life. This is mainly focus on the reasonable disagreement about what good life should be, the example given by Larmore is religious wars. On the other hand, rather than the views hold by pluralists that who asserts there are many valid forms of human self-realisation, Larmore tends to think that there should be common values we would accept unanimously (e.g. we share certain views that what makes life worth living). Larmore claims the minimal moral conception can be devised political principles which expressing some idea of common goods. One of the methods can be able to describe the idea of that is using “neutrality”, which means that to be neutral with respect to controversial views. Larmore believes that different views of good life...
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...'Modern liberals have abandoned individualism and embraced collectivism.' Discuss the question asks to Analyze how liberalism stemmed into abandoning the two core values of individualism and collectivism. In the essay that follows it will be assessed how modern liberals evolved from their classical core beliefs. Individualism, this is the most fundamental feature of liberalism. It is the unique feature that distinguishes it from the other ideologies. Classical liberals interpret it as an individual his or her own self-awareness, personality, capabilities and free will to decide their own fate. On the other hand, Modern liberals accept the idea of individuality but made certain observations, such as; we cannot consider ourselves completely free to peruse our own interests because we also have social obligations to consider the needs and welfare of others. It can be already be seen how the attitude of the liberals change towards the individual, as at first they view each citizen as a single special individual, however now, they have a broader view of the society as they have to care for each other and not only themselves. Thomas H Green was one of the first philosophers to have a new perspective of the idea of liberalism, thus creating the foundation of modern liberalism. He believes that individuals have sympathy for one another which link to the idea of caring for one another and not only for themselves. This already highlights the fact...
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...George Obiyo Varieties of Capitalism A synthesis essay on Washington Consensus, Ways of achieving a fiscal discipline, Fundamentalism (arguments against), Difference in European Liberalism and A post Washington consensus with empirical evidence on economic development. A) Washington consensus was a term created in 1989 by an English Economist John Williamson which focused on 10 relatively specific forms of economic policy that could help to promote developing countries that are in economic crisis. It was based in Washing D.C USA by institutions such as the US Treasury Department, World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Williamson three main idea were based on the Macroeconomic discipline, the development and expansion of market forces around the domestic economy and the high degree of economic openness in and around the world. The ten policy reforms centers on: 1. Fiscal Policy – Constructive monetary discipline while avoiding a high rate of deficit : with a high deficit it could lead to balance of payment crisis with relatively high inflation that in most cases only affect the poor class as the rich are able to transfer their money overseas 2. Public Expenditures Priorities – The government should be neutral by eliminating or reducing in terms of non-merits subsidies and give more focus to pro-growth and pro-poor way policies example sectors like health, Education and infrastructure. Where health can close the gap between inequalities as the poor can cheaply...
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...Liberalism is a political doctrine that is based on the equality of people. A vast majority of liberal countries enjoy main freedoms that exist in the world today such as equality before the law, freedom of speech, right to a private property and many more (Doyle, Liberal Internationalism: Peace, War and Democracy, 1997). Therefore, there are barely any disputes between first world countries which embrace democracy and liberalism as the main doctrine of their governance. This essay argues about the impact of democracy towards peace and how comes peace is embraced successfully among the representatives of democracy. Following paragraphs briefly explain liberalism’s role in today’s world and society, how liberalism reflects in business, what...
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...concepts of need and inequality; this means any discussion of these instantly encapsulates the political and ideological debates which affect all aspects of social policy. Titmuss (ed. 1987) writes that ‘collectively provided services are deliberately designed to meet certain socially recognized ‘needs’; they are manifestations’ this means any changes within these are interrelated with those in society. Miller (1987) draws from Titmuss’s work explaining that the inequality which creates need is formed from the very nature of an advanced industrial society as ‘the costs of economic growth and stability are not evenly distributed’ he describes the welfare state as ‘compensation for the vulnerable who pay the prices of ‘progress’ (1987). This essay seeks to examine the concept of need within social policy by looking at how it became recognised in the 19th century and how it was defined in the 20th century. This will include looking at what social legislation has been borne out of its recognition. I will also look at the changing attitudes towards inequality and the left/right political and ideological debate over the relationship between inequality and need within society. This will conclude with a brief observation of what role the concepts ‘need’ and ‘inequality’ have in social policy today. By the late 19th century the effects of the industrial revolution were fully realised, although many notable individuals such as Dickens, Disraeli, Kingsley and Mrs Gaskell (Fraser, 1984)...
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...William Feola Topic 4 Essay 2/23/2016 In the middle of the nineteenth century, European societies were going through tremendous changes due to politicization of the ordinary, helped by the French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution. During these changes and challenges, intellectuals and political activists proposed different approaches to making society function better. Different bodies of thoughts were proposed and political organizations that supported different ideologies were created. These groups and organizations stemmed from liberalism, feminism, romanticism and Social Darwinism. These groups, the liberalists, feminists, romanticists and the Social Darwinists, had to try to cope with the rapid modernization of the west precipitated by the Industrial Revolution. In this essay we are going to talk about how each group was able to cope with the rapid modernization and how they were able to face the changes and challenges. First of all, we saw liberalism try to cope with the rapid modernization of the west precipitated by the Industrial Revolution. These liberals thought that human life and society could progress without having violent revolutions or relying on tradition. Non-violent approaches to changing society is called liberalism. The liberals during the time of the Industrial Revolution believed that individuals had the power to reason and that they are rational. In other words, it means they are capable of bettering themselves without destroying the...
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...LIBERALISM QUESTIONS – A2 (UNIT 4) Short Answers 1. Why do liberals support constitutionalism and consent? (Jan 02) Constitutionalism is a belief in limited government brought about through external (usually legal) and internal (institutional) checks on the exercise of power. Consent is the idea that govt power should be based on the agreement of the governed, usually expressed through regular and competitive elections. Liberals support constitutionalism and consent because they fear that govt may become a tyranny against the individual, based on the assumption that power is inherently corrupting and concentrations of power will lead to absolute corruption. This assumption is rooted in the liberal view of human nature: as individualism implies self- interest, those with power over others are apt to abuse it for their benefit and at the expense of others. Liberal constitutionalism is expressed through support for various external and internal devices, such as codified constitutions, bills of rights, the separation of powers, federalism or devolution, and so on. Liberal support for consent is evident in support for electoral democracy in general and, more specifically, sympathy for referendums and proportional representation. 2. Distinguish between negative freedom and positive freedom, and explain the implications of each for the state. (Jun 02) Negative freedom is the absence of external constraints upon the individual, usually understood as non-interference...
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...This essay explains three key features of the Age of Enlightenment that include liberalism, rationalism and equality. These key features will be explained in terms of how they reflect specific assumptions about children and education. Furthermore to evaluate how these ideas have impacted children’s education in both the past and the present. Liberalism requires members of society to develop liberal ideas such as individualism and independence amongst the likes of John Locke who wrote a book called ‘Some thought Concerning Education’ (1893) which emphasises the significance of early education in the home. “upbringing in the home is crucial for the development of good character” (May, 1997, p. 3). Rationalism is another imperative feature of the Age of Enlightenment as people used theory to make sense of human development along the likes of Rousseau. His book, ‘Emile’ is about the development of a young boy becoming a man using his ideas for child rearing. “education should be a response to the child’s curiosity and interest to natural world.” (May, p. 39-40, 2005) This theory was put into practice by Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi who was so impressed with his ideas that “he attempted to rear his child according to Rousseau’s principles” (May, 1997, p. 11). The Enlightenment implies equality necessary for females to be educated alongside men to allow for equal opportunity. In Wollstonecraft’s book ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Women’ (1792) she protests for women’s rights...
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...Number 2 April 2007 121-146 © 2007 Sage Publications 10.1177/0090591706297642 http://ptx.sagepub.com hosted at http://online.sagepub.com Is the liberal state entitled to intervene in the internal affairs of its nonliberal minorities to promote individual autonomy as a public ideal, or should it tolerate the nonliberal practices of such groups in the name of legitimate diversity? This problem can be fruitfully approached from the perspective of Isaiah Berlin’s notion of “value pluralism.” According to William Galston, value pluralism privileges a form of liberalism that is maximally accommodating of nonliberal groups and their practices. I agree that pluralism fits best with a liberal political framework, but I depart from Galston’s interpretation of what liberal pluralism involves. Taking value pluralism seriously, I argue, implies a form of liberalism in which personal autonomy is a central public ideal. Keywords: liberalism; autonomy; toleration; value pluralism; William Galston; exit; diversity Introduction: Diversity, Autonomy, and Value...
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...| John Locke | The father of modern liberalism | | Cole Davis | 5/20/2012 | | Liberalism, a political ideology based on the belief that constant progress is achievable, the human race is composed of intrinsically good beings, and that these intrinsically good beings are and should be autonomous in nature, is an idea that made an incredible resurgence during the English enlightenment. As the belief of Liberalism gained popularity with the public it also developed an enormous following among European philosophers. John Locke, the individual responsible for the idea of natural rights as well as the social compact, helped mold this idea of Liberalism into its own unique philosophical tradition. Because of these great contributions, John Locke is considered as father of modern liberalism. Born August 29, 1632 at Wrington in Somerset, John Locke was the son of a lawyer and the oldest child of his Puritan household (Locke, Berkeley, Hume). While Locke was a child, his father closely monitored and guided his education. An incredibly educated individual, Locke first received a formal education at Westminster School eventually graduating to Christ Church, Oxford (Collinson). After receiving his bachelors of arts in 1656, Locke stayed at Oxford to earn his master’s degree. Locke became the censor of moral philosophy in 1664 and in 1675 when the Earl of Shaftesbury fell from power; Locke exiled himself to France to restore his health (Locke, Berkeley, Hume). After four...
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...what sorts of issues in modern society might be the legitimate objects of a Christian social and political concern. Raymond Plant has written an important study of the relationship between religion and politics which will be of value to students, academics, politicians, church professionals, policy makers and all concerned with the moral fabric of contemporary life. r ay m on d pl an t is Professor of European Political Thought at the University of Southampton and a Member of the House of Lords. He was a Home affairs spokesperson for the Labour Party from 1992 to 1996, and Master of St Catherine's College, Oxford, from 1994 to 2000. Lord Plant's main publications are Social and Moral Theory in Casework (1970), Community and Ideology: An Essay in Applied Moral Philosophy (1974), Hegel (1974), Political Philosophy and Social Welfare (with H. Lesser and P. TaylorGooby, 1979), Philosophy, Politics and Citizenship (with A. Vincent, 1983), Hegel: Second Edition (1983) and Modern Political Thought (1994). POLITICS, THEOLOGY AND HISTORY R AY M O N D P L A N T University of Southampton...
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...They laid out the foundation for the democratic government. There was another Essay that he wrote that laid out the a lot of the of the ideas that the US still uses today. Such as the fact that all men were created equal. The written opinion was called An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. John Locke's ideas were put in the Constitution and motivated about a lot of the ideas. This Would be the idea that all men are created equal and the people should have a relationship with the government. These ideas were not seen in the rule by a king or queen and when John Locke wrote his ideas, they brought about the ideas of the new world order of America. Two Written works of Civil...
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...Doxastic Dilemma The debate between doxastic conservatism and doxastic liberalism has been a topic of controversy for quite some time. Two prominent figures in this respect are William Clifford whose support of doxastic conservatism is outlined in The Ethics of Belief and William James, who defend doxastic liberalism in his work The Will to Believe. Personally, I find Clifford’s position resonates better with my own process of accepting and discarding beliefs, however it is important to note that by saying this I am not rejecting the virtues of doxastic liberalism. Quite the contrary, I do believe that in some instances a liberal attitude can prove worthwhile, I simply find James’ reasons for applying a liberal attitude to be rather problematic. A discussion on whether or not James’ reasons for applying doxastic liberalism may go beyond the scope of this paper, so any such inquiry into this matter will be kept to a minimum. In his defense of doxastic conservatism Clifford offers the following argument: Before accepting a belief, we must ensure that there is sufficient evidence which supports said belief (1,5,10). If after examining the available evidence, we find that it does not support the belief, than that belief must be discarded (2-4). Additionally, there are instances where a belief “goes beyond our experience” and can be accepted based on inferences of similar experiences, assuming that the inference is drawn logically from reliable...
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...THE LIBERAL REVOLUTION -UNDER THE IDEA OF ENLIGHTENMENT "Dare to know! Have courage to use your own reason!"-Kant Contents ENLIGHTENMENT AS AN IDEA: 3 FRENCH SOCIETY: 3 THE LIBERAL REVOLUTION: 3 CRITICISM ON THE IDEA OF LIBERALISM: 4 CONCLUSION 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY 6 ENLIGHTENMENT AS AN IDEA: “Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed nonage… Sapere Aude! Dare to Know! Have the courage to use your own understanding is therefore the motto of the Enlightenment.” Immanuel Kant (Columbia.edu) The eighteenth century Enlightenment proved to be a movement of the intellectuals who dared to prove all the aspects in life scientifically. These individuals were greatly affected by the scientific revolution. They were, in addition, advocating the appliance of the scientific methodology to the understanding of life. Throughout the age of enlightenment, science became popular and there were many philosophers like John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Adam Smith, Montesquieu, etc who applied the natural laws to the social life. These people and their writings had a huge impact on the French Revolution. FRENCH SOCIETY: Prior to the revolution, the French society was buried under the burden of taxes-levied by the State, rents paid to the lord, contributions collected by the clergy, as well as under the forced labor exacted by all three. People were reduced to foraging for food because of the recurring famines. The famines were caused by both manmade...
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