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Central Themes of Liberalism

Central Themes of Liberalism. Freedom -For early liberals liberty was a natural right as opportunity to pursue individuals’ own interests. -Later, liberty were seen as as the only condition to develop skills talents and fulfill people’s potential. - No absolute freedom !.

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Central Themes of Liberalism

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  1. Central Themes of Liberalism Freedom -For early liberals liberty was a natural right as opportunity to pursue individuals’ own interests. -Later, liberty were seen as as the only condition to develop skills talents and fulfill people’s potential. - No absolutefreedom!

  2. Negatif liberty: Freefrominterference • PositiveLiberty: Abilityto be one’sownmaster, to be autonomous • Reason • Humanbeingsarerationalcreatures, • anti-paternalism. • Progress • Freefromthepastandthetradition • Theimportance of education • Optimismaboutthehumannature • Power of self interestandegoism

  3. Central Themes Of Liberalism Justice • Socialjustice: Distrubiton of materialrewardsandbenefits in society: .wages, profits, housing, medicalcare, welfarebenetfitsandso on.. • Liberal belief: Humanbeingsarebornequal, • naturalrights • Formalequality • No anyprivileges on thebasis of gender, race, colour, creed, religion, socialbackroundetc.(Formalequality) Legal equality: Equalitybeforethelaw Politicalequality: oneperson, onevote, onevote, onevalues • Equalopportunity

  4. Central themes of Liberalism Toleration and Diversity • Will to accept moral, cultural and political diversity • Public-private distinction and respect for the private • Contest, debate and argument as the fruit of diversity or multiplicity and the motor of social progress. • Natural equilibrum • Principle of balance

  5. Liberalism, Government and Democracy The Liberal State • Freedom only exist under the law: Social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke • The state is created by individuals and for individuals • It exist to serve individuals’ needs and interests. • Government arises out of the consent of the governed. • When the legitimacy of the government gone, the people have the right of rebellion. • The state as neutrall referee in society.

  6. Liberalism, Government and Democracy ConstitutionalGovernment • Allgovernmentshavepotentialtotyranny. • Government can be limitedthroughtheestablishment of constitutionalconstratints • A constitution: A set of rulesthatseektoallocateduties, powersandfunctionsamongstthevariousinstitutions of government. • Thepower of governmentbodiesandpoliticians can be limitedbyexternal legal constraints • Introduction of internalconstraintstodispersepoweramong a number of politicalinstitutions, a network of “checksandbalances”. • Separation of powers

  7. Liberalism, Government and Democracy Democracy • Rule by the people

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