1. Central Themes of Liberalism
Freedom
-For early liberals liberty was a natural right as opportunity to pursue individuals’ own interests.
-Later, liberty were seen as as the only condition to develop skills talents and fulfill people’s potential.
- No absolute freedom!

2. Negatif liberty: Free from interference
Positive Liberty: Ability to be one’s own master, to be autonomous
Reason
Human beings are rational creatures,
anti-paternalism.
Progress
Free from the past and the tradition
The importance of education
Optimism about the human nature
Power of self interest and egoism

3. Central Themes Of Liberalism
Justice
Social justice: Distrubiton of material rewards and benefits in society: .wages, profits, housing, medical care, welfare benetfits and so on..
Liberal belief: Human beings are born equal,
natural rights
Formal equality
No any privileges on the basis of gender, race, colour, creed, religion, social backround etc.(Formal equality)
Legal equality: Equality before the law
Political equality: one person, one vote, one vote, one values
Equal opportunity

4. Central themes of Liberalism
Toleration and Diversity
Will to accept moral, cultural and political diversity
Public-private distinction and respect for the private
Contest, debate and argument as the fruit of diversity or multiplicity and the motor of social progress.
Natural equilibrum
Principle of balance

5. Liberalism, Government and Democracy
The Liberal State
Freedom only exist under the law: Social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke
The state is created by individuals and for individuals
It exist to serve individuals’ needs and interests.
Government arises out of the consent of the governed.
When the legitimacy of the government gone, the people have the right of rebellion.
The state as neutrall referee in society.

6. Liberalism, Government and Democracy
Constitutional Government
All governments have potential to tyranny.
Government can be limited through the establishment of constitutional constratints
A constitution: A set of rules that seek toallocate duties, powers and functions amongst the various institutions of government.
The power of government bodies and politicians can be limited by external legal constraints
Introduction of internal constraints to disperse power among a number of political institutions, a network of “checks and balances”.
Separation of powers

7. Liberalism, Government and Democracy
Rule by the people