Liberalism: What are the main concepts of liberalism?

Résumé du document

Liberalism is a philosophy, or political movement that has, for an aim, the development of individual freedom. Since the concept of freedom evolved over time, liberalism evolved as well. However, some core assumptions never changed. First, let us consider how all the core concepts of liberalism are inter-related and based on the individual. Then we shall have a look at each of these concepts. The underlying concept of Liberalism is the concept of the individual. Everything should rely upon it, the society should be organized around him, he should be the main concern. To liberals, all individuals are equally self interested and equally capable of rational thought. Therefore, they are all pursuing different goals and all these goals are equally important to full fill. Since we are all rational beings, one goal is as important as the other because they both come from a rational reflection. Thus there should be equality of opportunity for all to achieve these goals.

Extraits

[...] To him, in the original state of nature, men or agents will want to create laws and a government because self-interested and rational, They will take the option that can take them being better of. Therefore men do approve of government. It is selfishness that pushes man to adopt rules that will protect his rights and property. One of today's social contract theory is John Rawls' theory of justice. It is based on two principles: The definitive statement of social contract theory is found in Chapters 13 through 15 of Hobbes's Leviathan Locke is the instituter of that theory. [...]

[...] John Rawls is representative of that idea in his difference principle: “Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so they are both: - to the greatest advantage of the least advantaged, consistent with the just principle and, Attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity.”(8) That means that all possible will be done so that individuals will have the same opportunity to achieve their goals but once this aid has been given fairly to everybody, one has to make the most of his own capacities in order to achieve his goals. Capitalist Another reason that led liberal driven state to achieve better standard o living is linked to capitalism. Liberalism is often qualified as a doctrine to justify capitalism. It is true that the two are very closely linked. The laissez faire policy leads to Rationality Liberalism recognises individuals to be rational, or more exactly that they ought to be for their own sake. [...]

[...] Its puts him at his forefront before the state or any other group or institution. Why the individual comes first can be explained in different ways. First the natural right theory (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/#Two), men when they weren't governed in any way were entitled to a "right to struggle for our survival". To survive one has to be self-interested in order to outlast all his possible enemies. Therefore man is naturally self-interested. (Locke's Two treatises of government). However, liberalism sustains individual liberties but limits popular sovereignty even though it is made of individual wants. [...]

[...] That is represented in the expression : “Getting the sate out of the bedroom”. Conflicts liberal theory argues for conflicts not to be solved by compromise but rather by toleration. Religion So, religious persecution by the state is inappropriate. Locke holds that "Whatever is lawful in the commonwealth cannot be prohibited by the magistrate in the church." This means that the use of bread and wine, or even the sacrificing of a calf could not be prohibited by the magistrate Modern liberalism is secular whereas the fathers of liberalism were strongly influenced by Christianity. [...]

[...] However, Utility is not a basic concept of liberalism. Liberals can both agree or disagree on the principle of utility depending on their political and moral stance. Liberals advocating the laissez-faire policy can be considered utilitarian but at the same time some liberals argue that the final aim is to achieve one's fulfilment which doesn't have to be something related to pleasure or happiness. “Utilitarianism may be defined as "the creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle," and which "holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness rong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness."” Liberty distinction btw positive and negative liberty, Isaiah Berlin "Two concepts of liberty" for kant, in his groundwork for metaphysicals of morals, liverty or freedom is equal to morality. [...]