POL101Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Night-Watchman State, John Stuart Mill, Classical Liberalism
Document Summary
17th century struggle: revolution (glorious) of 1688, parliament supreme over monarchy, authority to rule is trust (can be removed, sovereign must rule within law of land, moral right to citizens. People create government by agreement over themselves. Thomas jefferson repeated in french revolution 1789. Declaration of rights of man - the citizen. Principles: personal freedom, limited government, equality of right, consent of the government. Absence of coercion, left alone, what they want to do. Freedom extends until you interfere with others. Only reason government can interfere with i(cid:374)dividual"s freedom if the individual threatens another. Seatbelt law: keeps person in place (better driving) Negative conception of freedom: the job of state is negative obligation not to interfere. Invents idea of individual rights (can"t be violated) Liberal conception of freedom always bound up with property rights private property main concern: concern with religious freedom. Modern liberalism or reform liberals: religious wars motivated by state power/religious relationship, different religions considered traitors.
