• Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

In what sense(s) can liberalism be regarded as individualistic? Should individualism be regarded as a strength or weakness of liberalism?

Extracts from this document...


In what sense(s) can liberalism be regarded as individualistic? Should individualism be regarded as a strength or weakness of liberalism? Liberalism, as a widespread political ideology, came to the fore in the nineteenth century with an industrialised market economy order allowing free-trade between nations without government interference.1 It was at this time that Classical liberalism ideals were first developed. A variety of different forms of liberalism emerged, and over time these developed into what is termed as modern liberalism. Throughout this transition the importance of the individual has remained a prominent factor. "The preservation of the individual and the attainment of individual happiness are the supreme goals of a liberal political system."2 Therefore it is evident that liberalism can be regarded as individualistic. However there are many other qualities that make up this ideology and the importance of these should also be considered. In addition to this, the value of individualism as a part of liberalism must be measured in order to validly assess whether it is indeed a strength or a weakness of this political ideology. Before discussing liberalism and the subsequent relevance of individualism, it is essential to define what these terms mean in a political sense. Liberalism is best defined by an examination of the set of values and beliefs which it is characterised by. The first of these, which will be discussed in depth later, is the supreme importance of the individual. ...read more.


In 1859, Mill wrote On Liberty. In this he laid out the ethical foundations of democratic individualism. In doing such, Mill considered the circumstances under which individual liberty might be justifiably restricted and concluded by forming his "harm principle". This principle is central to his views on freedom and its influence is substantial in all liberal democracies. "The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant"5 John Locke was a British philosopher who lived from 1632 to1704. His political philosophy emphasises individual rights, mainly the right of a persons personal interests not to be interfered with and the right of justly acquired property. He argued that the purpose of a government is to protect those rights and that we can be justified in rejecting a government that interferes with them.6 Adam Smith was a Scottish economist who lived from 1723 to 1790. Smith argues that individual rights allow for the development of wealth within commercial society. People's specialisation in different tasks could lead to immense gains in productivity. These activities need co-ordination through economic self-interest. A developed market economy would permit issues of human well-being to take care of themselves. ...read more.


Secondly someone expressing their rights to freedom of speech and action through racism could clearly infringe on another persons freedom through discrimination. However Mill goes some way in clearing up these potential problems with his harm principle by suggesting that we should not interfere with someone's actions providing they do not harm another.7 Mill's principle has also seemed to have more relevance since the additions to it in 1960 by J.C Rees, in his paper, A re-reading of Mill on Liberty.8 Mill's desire for minimal state intervention has also been subject to substantial criticism. Many believe that a society without a more authoritarian figure or body would simply not work. As H.J McCloskey puts it; "Most contemporary liberals today, including those who profess great loyalty to Mill's liberalism, lack, Mill's optimism about the future progress of mankind and favour considerable curtailments of freedom of expression and action for the sake that Mill would not have entertained."9 In conclusion, despite the various forms of liberalism and the transition from classical to modern ideologies, individualism has remained the outmost prominent factor throughout. Liberalism, in the main, is individualistic and this is mainly evident from the liberal ideologies displayed by Mill, Locke and Smith. Individualism has numerous strengths, particularly its freedom of speech and expression. Although many criticisms of individuality have been made, its weaknesses are few and tend to have counter-arguments which are particularly convincing. In essence liberalism should be regarded as a strength of liberalism. ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text


Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related AS and A Level Political Philosophy essays

  1. Marked by a teacher

    Analyse the similarities and differences between Classical and Modern Liberalism

    4 star(s)

    Taking the common beliefs about justice into account, there is however a controversial argument between Modern and Classical liberals as to how these principles should be applied. Classical liberals believe in a strict meritocracy on both economic and moral grounds.

  2. Marked by a teacher

    Analyse the main strengths and weaknesses of Marx's sociological thought.

    3 star(s)

    A crucial aspect of the superstructural support for capitalism is that people are encouraged to hold ideas that uphold the system. Such systems of ideas are called ideologies. Marx argued that if his theory was rejected by the proletariat - those his theories were designed to liberate - it is because of ignorance brought on by dominant beliefs.

  1. Utilitarianism: Explanation And Study of Criticisms

    Even here, you cannot predict the results of your decision, as there is no way of telling the effect the ecstasy has on you until you have tried it. Bentham would look for the long-term pleasures, as this is what Hedonists seek.


    In this case the ground is useless. Man was forced to labour as a means of survival. Without labour, man would not have the essentials, such as food and shelter, which are needed to survive. The outcome of man's labour is his property.

  1. Notes on John Stuart Mill's On Liberty

    The Harm Principle: This is the central tenant of Mill's political theory. Why a principle is needed: Mill's theory begins with the observation that a tyranny of the majority is a dangerous and bad thing that must be guarded against.

  2. Power and Politics in Organizations: Public and Private Sector Comparisons

    This problem places a high premium on the ability to show that the application of single-loop or double-loop learning will have positive-sum effects-no easy task! The second problem, which poses great difficulties as well, is the necessity of reducing he probability, very high in large-scale organizations of all kinds, that

  1. What are the main features of utilitarianism as an ethical theory (10) Examine and ...

    Backward-looking reasons, is also another criticism of utilitarianism, "Suppose you have promised a friend that you will teach her to play the guitar. When the time comes to go to help her, you do not want to do it - you would rather stay at home and watch television.

  2. Analyse The Main Features of Classical Liberalism

    Locke elaborated on these themes in his later political writings, such as the 'Second Letter on Toleration' and 'Third Letter on Toleration'. Modern political debate is littered with references to 'rights' and claims to posses 'rights'. A right in simple terms is an entitlement to act or to be treated in a particular way.

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work