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Single Idea 22808
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / a. Liberalism basics
]
Full Idea
Liberalism has been defended as a theory of minimal government, or as a theory of basic individual rights, or as an egalitarian philosophy.
Gist of Idea
Liberalism is minimal government, or individual rights, or equality
Source
Avineri,S/De-Shalit,A (Intro to 'Communitarianism and Individualism' [1992], §5)
Book Ref
'Communitarianism and Individualism', ed/tr. Avineri,S. /de-Shalit,A. [OUP 1992], p.11
A Reaction
Minimal government tends towards anarchist liberalism, but then what grounds the right to be free of government? Presumably any sensible theory of rights has to be egalitarian. What could ground unequal rights?
The
25 ideas
with the same theme
[founding ideas of liberal politics]:
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21064
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A lawful civil state must embody freedom, equality and independence for its members
[Kant]
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7211
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Prevention of harm to others is the only justification for exercising power over people
[Mill]
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23036
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The good is identified by the capacities of its participants
[Green,TH, by Muirhead]
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22872
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Liberals aim to allow individuals to realise their capacities
[Dewey]
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23170
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Liberal opinions are tentative rather than dogmatic, and are always responsive to new evidence
[Russell]
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23172
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Empiricist Liberalism is the only view for someone who favours scientific evidence and happiness
[Russell]
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23171
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Empiricism is ethically superior, because dogmatism favours persecution and hatred
[Russell]
|
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23859
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True democracy is the subordination of society to the individual
[Weil]
|
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23522
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In an organised society all actions have some effect on other people
[Hart,HLA]
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15669
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People endorse equality, universality and inclusiveness, just by their communicative practices
[Habermas, by Finlayson]
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21008
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Liberalism does not need a comprehensive account of value
[Nussbaum]
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23390
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In a liberal democracy all subjects of authority have a right to determine the authority
[Kymlicka]
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22862
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Liberals take people as they are, and take their preferences to be their interests
[Lukes]
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22808
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Liberalism is minimal government, or individual rights, or equality
[Avineri/De-Shalit]
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23081
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Liberal basics are pluralism, freedom, rights, equality, and distributive justice - for autonomy
[Kekes]
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7593
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Liberals focus on universal human freedom, natural rights, and tolerance
[Scruton, by PG]
|
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22261
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Liberals say rights always come first, and justice is neutral on social values
[Sandel]
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21905
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Liberal theory starts from the governed, not from the governor
[May]
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21117
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Liberal citizens have a moral requirement to respect freedom and equality
[Shorten]
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22835
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Liberals value freedom and equality, but the society itself must decide on its values
[Charvet]
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23128
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The opposite of liberalism is dogmatism
[Gopnik]
|
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23142
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People are fallible, so liberalism tries to distribute power
[Gopnik]
|
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23143
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Liberals have tried very hard to build a conscience into their institutions
[Gopnik]
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22602
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Over several centuries a set of eight main liberal values was established
[Dunt]
|
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24158
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Liberalism wants separate powers, press freedom, independence and rule of law, and rights
[Hutton]
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