For unit 4 I did a few practice questions (20 marks)
Here they are if they help: (I usually find reading through past answers helps me) Italics is my teacher's comments.
Define individualism and explain its importance to liberal ideology
Individualism is the theory that the individual is sovereign and therefore that the state should merely take a defensive role in protecting the liberty of each individual, allowing the individual to act in any way he or she wishes so long as it does not interfere, infringe or disrupt the same liberties of another. Liberals believe that society does not exist, but instead that it is merely a collection of fundamentally good, self reliant and self sufficient individuals. Liberalism takes on an atomistic approach to society and that individuals are primarily defined by their inner qualities.
The theory of individualism is in contrast to that of collectivism, where rather than allowing the individual to benefit their own "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" (Locke/Jefferson) they must serve the interests of a society as a whole. 'Pursuit of happiness' was Jefferson, Locke was 'Life liberty and property.'
Individualism is very important within liberal thinking as it immediately interlinks with the idea of 'laissez faire' (leave to do/what will be will be) and allowing the individual to do as he or she pleases, rather than to be constricted or made to do as others wish. Classical liberals hold this true by believing in negative freedoms, the lack of force preventing an individual from pursuing his or her true happiness and enhancing their own individual talents. Classical liberals also believe that "the drunkard in the gutter is precisely where he ought to be" (Sumner) and that the individual is reliable for scrutiny of her or her actions without state intervention in personal lives.
Both Classical and Neo liberals endorse the individual through freedom of expression within their stance on the economy. They do this by allowing the individual to do as they wish without state intervention, however, although Neo liberals are strong believers of 'laissez faire' on their economics, they, with Modern liberals believe in state intervention in the individual's personal life, 'helping those to help themselves'. Individualism is shown to be in the foundations of liberal thinking, however as the individual changes liberalism too must be pragmatic in its dealings, and therefore the benefits of state intervention and collectively working as a society has eroded the beliefs of overall freedom, as in order to help the individual, the state must intervene so that it can help an individual that cannot help itself.
Good answer. The only improvement I suggest is one of structure and communication. rather than ambling through the impact of individualism on view of stat, society and economy, be explicit that that is what you are doing in your language. e.g. Liberal committment to individualism has had an impact on their view of state.....
K&U - 5/6
AIE - 7/10
Com - 3/4
= 15/20 = 75% = B
Distinguish between a socialist and conservative view on human nature
Socialists pride their ideology in the idea of collectivism, which is opposed to the individualistic approach manned (favoured?) by Liberal thinkers. Collectivism stresses the ability of human beings to work together as 'comrades' or as 'brothers and sisters' to cooperate and work together towards an utopian idea of equality between everyone within a stateless and classless society. (not allsocialist believe in a stateless society so it would be better to write; 'a classless and pehaps even stateless society') Socialists believe that human nature is 'plastic' or moulded by individual experience and by what is within society. They believe that it is society that shapes us and that we are indivisible of (from) society itself. They believe that society is the largest factor in the creation of an individual's personality and it is this which causes socialists to believe that the competition of capitalism is what corrupts the individual. Socialists believe that it is within human nature to be cooperative, very much unlike the capitalistic economics which endorse competition, socialists believe that forcing an individual to compete causes them to deny their social needs, therefore cooperation harnesses the power of the collective: "whole is greater than the sum of the parts."
However, conservatives believe that the individual is fundamentally flawed and conservatism is said to be a 'philosophy of human imperfection' (O'Sullivan). Conservatives, very much unlike socialists believe that strong positive freedoms and state intervention are needed in order to stop individuals from exploiting one another. Socialists would argue that it is the state and the society of which is created by capitalism and the lack of equality that causes the individual to compete and therefore exploit one another in order to get what is percieved to be the best. Conservatives also believe in strong social classes. Marx defines these to be the bourgeoisie (the ruling class) and the proletariat (the working class). Within a paternal society (of which is sustained by conservatism) the higher class, or the bourgeoisie would have it within their duty to look after the lower classes. Conservatives believe that 'authority, like society, evolves naturally' (Haywood) and it is that authority that must 'father' the individuals below it, this is based upon the feudal principle of 'noblesse oblige' (this is largely seen in One-Nation Conservatism which has been remarked upon as being a form of Tory Welfarism).
In spite of these differences both ideologies are connected through the dependence of the individuals upon one another, both are reliant upon families, both physical and metaphoric, and those within society. Both are very much unlike the atomistic ideas of liberal thinkers as they both understand the collectivity of people and their need to cooperate with one another. Their main difference however, lies in the fact that the conservatives view and understand individuals to be unequal, but instead of striving to eradicate inequality like the socialists or to work towards a utopia they decide instead to use a natural hierarchy and pragmatic response in order to benefit all individuals, collectively. It can be noted though, that the higher class is 'more equal than others'.
Excellent knowledge and understanding and a good idea to tackle similarities as well as differences. You answer may flow more smoothly if it went lib, cons, lib, cons rather than lib, lib, lib cons, cons, cons.
K&U - 6/6
AIE - 7/10
Com - 4/4
= 17/20 = 85% = A
Distinguish between liberal New Right and the conservative New Right
The New Right is a broad term which has become a marriage of two apparently contrasting ideological traditions. The New Right is a combination of Classical liberal free market economic theories of Adam Smith and traditional (pre-Disraeli) conservative social theory. The New Right is in defence of order, authority and discipline. It is, depending on the strand, otherwise known as Neoliberalism or Neoconservatism. It is a blend of radical, reactionary and traditional features.
Liberal New Right has been drawn from Classical liberalism. It is anti-statist and so believes in minimum state intervention claiming that 'private good; public bad'. The state is regarded as a realm of coercion and unfreedom; therefore faith is placed in the individual and the market. Conservative New Right, in contrast, is a response to anxiety about relaxation of moral standards and the weakening of authority in society and so believes in a strong state and stance on law and order. Conservative New Right has been defined as 'social authoritarianism' which looks to strengthen community and 'the family' by implementing social disciplines and restoring authority.
New Right Liberals believe that collectivism restricts the individuals initiative and saps self-respect, however, New Right Conservatives promote collectivism, particularly within 'the family' imposing strong 'Victorian morals' and in particular natural hierarchies, such as the paternal father. New Right Conservatives promote tradition rather than the idea of organic society. They believe in a strong national identity and that through valuing nation it inherently binds society. New Right Liberals, on the other hand, promote the idea of the individual further by encouraging self-reliance to make rational choices in their own interest. New Right Liberals respect the market as a mechanism through which the sum of the individual's choices will lead to progress and general benefit.
To conclude, the liberal New Right joined with conservative New Right is an ideological mix. The New Right is free market economics connected with a strong state of which intervenes solely in personal lives in order to restore discipline and respect which is thought to have been largely lost since the 1960s. Individually the New Right strands are largely contrasting, but slot together well if liberal social views are neglected and conservative economic stances are forgotten.
Again, good knowledge and understanding and you have contrasted the different perspectives well and throughout you answer. It looks like this is starting to make sense to you , Holly. Well done!
K&U - 5/6
AIE - 7/10
Com 4/4
= 16/20 = 80% = A