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Central Themes of Liberalism

Delve into the core concepts of liberalism, including freedom, justice, and democracy. Learn about the evolution of liberty, the importance of tolerance and diversity, and the role of government in upholding individual rights. Discover how liberalism shapes our understanding of social justice, constitutional governance, and the principles of democracy.

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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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