Positive freedom, on the other hand, is generally supported by `modern Liberals. It is the belief that freedom should allow individuals to develop their own individuality and is commonly linked to the achievement of goals or benefits, usually personal development, self-realization or self-mastery. Thus positive freedom is concerned more with the individual’s ability to gain fulfilment and achieve self-realization. In this way, Modern Liberals generally adopt a more positive view towards state intervention. The sate is seen as an enabling state, which places necessary constraints upon the individuals to allow them to grow and develop their unequal talents, without hindering others in the process. The main duty of the sate is therefore to remove inequality in society by allowing a “level playing field” for all. Modern Liberals therefore support entities such as the Welfare State since it aims to help the poor and disadvantaged by redistributing wealth in their favour. In addition, Modern liberals advocate state intervention in the economy, since economic freedom can lead to exploitation. For instance, in the case of businesses, which seek to maximise their own profits, negative freedom allows employers to hire the cheapest labour force available, for example children as opposed to adults. The sate is therefore necessary to prevent such acts. Modern Liberals thus abandon the principles of laissez-faire capitalism, advocating instead the theories of J.M. Keynes. Keynes put forward the idea of regulation of equality in the economy through the injection of money into the system. Only in this way, with key economic responsibilities being placed in the hands of the state, could growth and prosperity be maintained.
Outline a Liberal case for toleration and pluralism.
Voltaire’s declaration “I detest what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it” summaries the Liberalist belief of toleration. For Liberals, toleration is forbearance, a willingness to allow individuals to think, speak and acts in manners that others may disapprove. Pluralism is a commitment to diversity or multiplicity within society. Liberals, for a variety of reasons, support both these principles.
Since liberals do not accept actions that limit individual sovereignty, support for toleration and pluralism naturally follows as they promote individual autonomy and choice. Toleration and pluralism allow individuals freedom of choice in various aspects of life, for example, the 4ight to choose which religion they worship or which political party they give their allegiance. In this way, toleration and pluralism allow for personal development and social enrichment since they allow for a diversity of beliefs and opinions within society.
Furthermore, since Liberals believe the key function of government is to protect individual’s natural rights, namely the right to ‘life, liberty and property”, it should not interfere in men’s private matters. This emphasises the separation of “public” and “private” matters, which Liberals see as vital. Since “private” matters such as religion concern moral questions, they should be left to the individual 5to decide what is best for him or her. Tolerations should be extended to such matters, allowing them personal authority over decisions that concern only themselves.
Liberals also see toleration and pluralism as beneficial within society. They believe that pluralism, in the form of moral, cultural and political diversity, is positively healthy since it promotes debate and intellectual by ensuring that all beliefs are tolerated and tested within society. Only within a free market of ideas will “truth” emerge, as good ideas displace bad ones, Furthermore, toleration and pluralism lead to a balanced and harmonious society. Liberals believe that while groups with conflicting beliefs and interests should be free to develop, pluralism and toleration allow these groups to co-exist peacefully, accepting each other’s different beliefs. Toleration and pluralism thus allow humans, who are all unique and individual, to express their various beliefs and ideologies freely within society.
It should also be noted that Liberals support pluralism since it promotes distribution of political power. With power widely and evenly dispersed in society, rather than concentrated in the hands of the elite, pluralism complements democracy and ensures that those in charge respect the concerns and interests of the individual.
In conclusion, it can be seen that pluralism and toleration are widely supported by liberals since they promote individual sovereignty whilst benefiting society at the same time.
