Liberalism focuses on freedom, liberty, individualism, limited government, tolerance, justice, and equal rights. It originated during the Enlightenment period from 1699-1800, where thinkers like John Locke and Thomas Jefferson emphasized concepts like individual consent to government and the pursuit of happiness. Jean-Jacques Rousseau also influenced liberalism with his view that people are born free but placed in chains by societies and governments that deny human rights and basic freedoms. Liberalism supports constitutional, limited government that does not interfere with individual interests, as well as pluralism, tolerance of different lifestyles, and equality of opportunity.

1. A Level Ideologies
LIBERALISM

2. Liberalism is about . . .
Freedom and Liberty
Individualism
Government that is constitutional, limited
and by consent
Toleration
Justice
Equal rights and equality of opportunity
Pluralism

3. Liberalism & ‘progressive’ ideas
Social reform
Should all be directed
Education towards, and
Science lead to, the general
improvement
and progress of
humankind

4. The origins of Liberalism
The Enlightenment
c1699 - c1800: an important starting point
for what emerged as LIBERALISM.
Key ideas of the Enlightenment –
• Free will of the individual
• People are born free, rational & individual
• Individuals are the best judges of their own interests
• People are free to find their own place in society
• People may be born with different talents, powers, skills and
potentials – yet all should have equal rights

5. The origins of Liberalism
The Enlightenment – Key Thinkers
John Locke (1632-1704)
– ‘Two Treatises on Government’
– Government had to be with the consent of the
people
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
– One of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the USA
– Individuals & the ‘pursuit of happiness’

6. The origins of Liberalism
The Enlightenment – Rousseau
‘Man is born free,
but is everywhere ‘The Social Contract’ (1762)
in chains’
People are controlled by
social and political
restraints – Rousseau
found this impossible to
justify.
‘Chains’
•The ‘real’ restraints on people
imposed by absolute rulers.
and
•The denial of HUMAN RIGHTS
– the basic freedoms to exist.
www.politicsassociation.com

7. Freedom and Liberty
The key element in liberalism.
Freedom/liberty may be political.
Freedom/liberty may be about/for the individual.
Freedom/liberty may be positive – the desire of
individuals to be in control and not controlled.
Freedom/liberty may be negative – the absence
of any kind of restraint.

8. Individualism
The individual as the best judge of their
own interests – Utilitarianism.
The individual free from constraint.

9. Constitutional, limited government
Government must act within clearly defined
boundaries.
Government should not interfere with the
interests of individuals.
Political power can be substantial – it must
always be controlled.
The most effective way of controlling
government (according to liberals) is to define
the extent of their power in a constitution.

10. Toleration
Original link with religious toleration / freedom.
Modern liberalism – tolerance of sexuality,
lifestyle.

11. Justice
Social justice – more a feature of modern than
traditional liberalism. Early liberals felt that social
justice might require too much intervention by
the state.
Legal justice – everyone equal before the law.

12. Equal rights and equality of
opportunity
Equal right of individuals to reach potential – not
all liberals agree if this is a natural right or not.
Equality of opportunity – all are entitled to equal
life chances, this can be promoted initially
through education.
www.politicsassociation.com

13. Pluralism
The liberal belief that a healthy society and
political system is characterised by the existence
of, and encouragement towards, group activity.
Group activity and opportunities help to promote
the freedom of individuals and limits the power
of government.
www.politicsassociation.com

14. Coming soon . . .
Liberalism
CD ROM
www.politicsassociation.com