Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 2 Liberalism Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 2 Liberalism
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Discuss the main principles of Liberalism.
Or
Define Liberalism and explain its basic principles.
Answer:
Liberalism is an outstanding ideology of the modern world. The European countries have been greatly affected by this ideology. But it is extremely difficult to define Liberalism excactly, as it is not a certain and systematic concept. The ideals and thoughts of several thinkers are included in it and they have changed with the passage of time.
Max Lerner has called it, “Perhaps the most disputed term of our generation.”
Sartori has gone to the extent of saying that Liberalism is so prone to change that it should be left with the self-styled restrictions. Wrong conceptions of Liberalism must be ended to understand the meaning of liberalism.
1. Liberalism is not an antonym of Conservatism:
Some people consider Liberalism to be an antonym of conservatism. Conservatism is a concept opposed to all changes and reformations. But Liberalism has always supported revolutionary changes.
2. Liberalism is not Individualism:
Some critics regard liberalism a synonym of individualism, but it is not completely true. Individualism, undoubtedly is a foundation, of Liberalism, but both aren’t the same. Sabine has differentiated these concepts by saying that there was no particular difference between these ideologies by the end of the third phase of 19th century as both of them opposed State’s interference in an individual’s life. But later on the situation changed and Liberalism assumed positive form by favouring social interest in place of individual interest.
3. Liberalism and Democracy are not one:
Liberalism and Democracy are closely related to each other, but they aren’t one. Liberalism emphasises freedom of an individual whereas Democracy stresses equality.
True Meaning of Liberalism:
The word ‘Liberalism’ originated from Latin word ‘Liberalis’ which means Free Man. This principle basically believes in the freedom of an individual. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “freedom is the very basis of Liberalism.” In the words of Mac-Govern, “Liberalism as a political creed is a compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individualism.” Liberalism is deadly opposed to all the forms of Dictatorship. Sartori has defined Liberalism in simple words-“Very simple, Liberalism is the theory and practice of an individual liberty, judicial, defence and the constitutional State.”
Hallowell has summed up the meaning of Liberalism in the beliefs given below:
- Supremacy of individual’s personality and spiritual equality of all individuals.
- Freedom of individual’s will.
- Welfare of an individual.
- Existence of rights connected with life, freedom and property.
- Creation of State to safeguard natural rights.
- An individual can revolt against State in case of violation of conditions stated in the agreement.
- Law should be above the administrative order.
- An individual should be independent in political, social, economic and religious spheres.
- Existence of supreme reality based on reason and when an individual can possess it through contemplation.
Main Principles of Liberalism
Liberalism is an amalgam of several ideologies, yet it has a few fundamental principles mentioned below :
1. Faith in Human Reason:
The basic principle of Liberalism is a faith in human reason. The Liberals; like John Locke and Thomas Paine, in seventeenth and eighteenth centuries emphasised the fact that man shouldn’t accept any tradition which is useless if tested by reason. Liberalism attaches more importance to reason than feelings.
2. Opposition of History and Tradition:
Superstitions, traditions and blind faith were prevalent in middle ages and Liberals opposed it. Liberalism led to the revolutions in England, America and France.
3. Supporter of Human Freedom:
Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth-right. According to Laski, “Liberalism is directly related to freedom for it came as a foe of privileges by virtue of birth or creed.”
4. The Purpose of State is to develop the personality of the Individual:
According to Liberals, development of individual’s personality embodies the development of State.
5. Man is the End, State is the Means:
The liberals consider man to be the end and State as a means. The object of State is to fulfil man’s aims.
6. State is Artificial: The liberals believe that State is an artificial institution and not a divine and natural one.
7. Belief in the Concept of Natural Rights of Man:
Liberalism believes in the concept of natural rights of man which he possesses since birth. According to Locke, the main natural rights are right to life, liberty and property.
8. Faith in Secularism:
The Liberals stressed man’s religious freedom and suggested that religious institutions should be kept apart from State. Thus the liberals have faith in secularism.
9. Support of Democracy:
Liberalism is an inseparable part of Democracy and Democracy is the very basis of Liberalism. Liberalism believes in people’s sovereignty.
10. Constitutional Government: Liberalism originated as a reaction of absolute rule and it supports Constitutional Government.
11. Belief in Pluralistic Society:
According to Liberals, man forms several associations to satisfy his needs and State establishes a co-relation among different associations. Laski and Maclver affirmed their faith in Pluralistic society.
12. Faith in Internationalism and World Peace:
Liberalism believes in the principle of Live and Let Live. It has faith in the ideals of world peace and brotherhood of man.
Question 2.
Give the verbal meaning of the word Liberalism and explain four features of contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
Liberalism is an outstanding ideology of the modern world. The European countries have been greatly affected by this ideology. But it is extremely difficult to define Liberalism excactly, as it is not a certain and systematic concept. The ideals and thoughts of several thinkers are included in it and they have changed with the passage of time.
Max Lerner has called it, “Perhaps the most disputed term of our generation.”
Sartori has gone to the extent of saying that Liberalism is so prone to change that it should be left with the self-styled restrictions. Wrong conceptions of Liberalism must be ended to understand the meaning of liberalism.
1. Liberalism is not an antonym of Conservatism:
Some people consider Liberalism to be an antonym of conservatism. Conservatism is a concept opposed to all changes and reformations. But Liberalism has always supported revolutionary changes.
2. Liberalism is not Individualism:
Some critics regard liberalism a synonym of individualism, but it is not completely true. Individualism, undoubtedly is a foundation, of Liberalism, but both aren’t the same. Sabine has differentiated these concepts by saying that there was no particular difference between these ideologies by the end of the third phase of 19th century as both of them opposed State’s interference in an individual’s life. But later on the situation changed and Liberalism assumed positive form by favouring social interest in place of individual interest.
3. Liberalism and Democracy are not one:
Liberalism and Democracy are closely related to each other, but they aren’t one. Liberalism emphasises freedom of an individual whereas Democracy stresses equality.
True Meaning of Liberalism:
The word ‘Liberalism’ originated from Latin word ‘Liberalis’ which means Free Man. This principle basically believes in the freedom of an individual. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “freedom is the very basis of Liberalism.” In the words of Mac-Govern, “Liberalism as a political creed is a compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individualism.” Liberalism is deadly opposed to all the forms of Dictatorship. Sartori has defined Liberalism in simple words-“Very simple, Liberalism is the theory and practice of an individual liberty, judicial, defence and the constitutional State.”
Hallowell has summed up the meaning of Liberalism in the beliefs given below:
- Supremacy of individual’s personality and spiritual equality of all individuals.
- Freedom of individual’s will.
- Welfare of an individual.
- Existence of rights connected with life, freedom and property.
- Creation of State to safeguard natural rights.
- An individual can revolt against State in case of violation of conditions stated in the agreement.
- Law should be above the administrative order.
- An individual should be independent in political, social, economic and religious spheres.
- Existence of supreme reality based on reason and when an individual can possess it through contemplation.
Main Principles of Liberalism:
Liberalism is an amalgam of several ideologies, yet it has a few fundamental principles mentioned below :
1. Faith in Human Reason:
The basic principle of Liberalism is a faith in human reason. The Liberals; like John Locke and Thomas Paine, in seventeenth and eighteenth centuries emphasised the fact that man shouldn’t accept any tradition which is useless if tested by reason. Liberalism attaches more importance to reason than feelings.
2. Opposition of History and Tradition:
Superstitions, traditions and blind faith were prevalent in middle ages and Liberals opposed it. Liberalism led to the revolutions in England, America and France.
3. Supporter of Human Freedom:
Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth-right. According to Laski, “Liberalism is directly related to freedom for it came as a foe of privileges by virtue of birth or creed.”
4. The Purpose of State is to develop the personality of the Individual:
According to Liberals, development of individual’s personality embodies the development of State.
5. Man is the End, State is the Means:
The liberals consider man to be the end and State as a means. The object of State is to fulfil man’s aims.
6. State is Artificial: The liberals believe that State is an artificial institution and not a divine and natural one.
7. Belief in the Concept of Natural Rights of Man:
Liberalism believes in the concept of natural rights of man which he possesses since birth. According to Locke, the main natural rights are right to life, liberty and property.
8. Faith in Secularism:
The Liberals stressed man’s religious freedom and suggested that religious institutions should be kept apart from State. Thus the liberals have faith in secularism.
9. Support of Democracy:
Liberalism is an inseparable part of Democracy and Democracy is the very basis of Liberalism. Liberalism believes in people’s sovereignty.
10. Constitutional Government: Liberalism originated as a reaction of absolute rule and it supports Constitutional Government.
11. Belief in Pluralistic Society:
According to Liberals, man forms several associations to satisfy his needs and State establishes a co-relation among different associations. Laski and Maclver affirmed their faith in Pluralistic society.
12. Faith in Internationalism and World Peace:
Liberalism believes in the principle of Live and Let Live. It has faith in the ideals of world peace and brotherhood of man.
Features of Contemporary Liberalism:
Classical liberalism was modified in the end of the 19th century. Following are the main principles of the contemporary hberalism:
1. Opposition to open competition:
The contemporary liberalism is opposed to open competition and free trade as it results in making the rich more rich and the poor more poor.
2. Opposed to the theory of natural rights:
The contemporary liberalism is opposed to the theory of natural rights and it believes that the rights are given and protected by the state.
3. Regulated Economy:
According to contemporary liberalism, state has a right to interfere in the economic activities for the welfare of the people. The economic system should be regulated by the state for the general welfare of the masses.
4. State is a welfare state: The contemporary liberalism considers that state is a welfare state.
Short Answer type Questions
Question 1.
What is Classical Liberalism?
Answer:
Classical Liberalism is the original form of Liberalism:
Classical liberalism is another name of individualism. Locke has been rightly described as the father of classical liberalism. The political doctrine of classical liberalism was developed by Bentham, James Mill, Rousseau, Herbert Spencer etc. The classical liberals accept the individuals as central to the entire political system and they believe in rationality of the individual. Classical liberalism viewed freedom as absence of restraints. It treated the state as an artificial institution which came into existence with the consent of the individual. To the liberal thinkers the state was a necessary evil and the state which performed the minimum functions was the best.
Question 2.
Explain the meaning of Contemporary Liberalism.
Or
What is Contemporary Liberalism?
Answer:
Classical Liberalism was modified in the later half of the 19th century by J.S. Mill and T. H. Green. During 20th century, scholars like
Prof. Laski, Barker, Cole and Maclver tried further to bring about a few more changes. Contemporary Liberalism believes in humanism and has faith in the values like justice, liberty, equality etc. Contemporary Liberalism opposed the policy of open competition and free trade. Contemporary Liberalism opposes the theory of natural rights and it believes that the rights can be enjoyed only within the state. Modern Liberalism supports positive liberty and it favours that the economy should be regulated by the state. Contemporary Liberalism favours state interference where it is desirable for the common benefit of the society.
Question 3.
Write four principles of Liberalism.
Answer:
Following are the main features of liberalism:
1. Faith in Human Reason:
The basic principle of Liberalism is a faith in human reason. The liberals like John Locke and Thomas Paine, in 17th and 18th centuries emphasised the fact that man should not accept any tradition which is useless if tested by reason. Liberalism attaches more importance to reason than feelings.
2. Supporter of Human Freedom:
Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth right. According to Laski, “Liberalism is directly related to freedom for it came as a foe of privilege by virtue of birth or creed.”
3. The Purpose of State is to develop the personality of the individual. According to Liberals, development of individual’s personality embodies the development of State.
4. Faith in Internationalism and World Peace. Liberalism believes in the principle of Live and Let Live. It has faith in the ideals of world peace and brotherhood of man.
Question 4.
What do you understand by Liberalism?
Or
What do you understand by Liberalism?
Answer:
Liberalism is an outstanding conception of modem age. It is neither an antonym of conservatism, nor is individualism. Liberalism aims at individual freedom and development of individual personality. Liberalism believes in the warmth of individual and security ; upholds freedom of association, toleration, separatism of religion and politics and secular attitude. Besides, it affirms its faith in man’s ability to progress.
Liberalism stands for the theory and practice of individual liberty, constitutionalism and reforms for human uplift. Sartori says, “Very simple, Liberalism is the theory and practice of individual liberty, Judicial defence and constitutional state.”
According to Hallowell, “Liberalism is the embodiment of the demand for freedom in every sphere of life i.e. intellectual, social, religious, political and economic.”
Question 5.
Write four arguments against Liberalism.
Answer:
1. Liberals like Bentham regard man to be selfish, but this conception is wrong. No individual can be wholly selfish or wholly selfless.
2. Many liberals consider state to be a necessary evil, but this is incorrect. State is a natural expression of man’s social consciousness. Modern state is a welfare state.
3. The concept of Liberalism is vague.
4. Not a Clear Concept. The concept of liberalism is vague. It can’t be defined in certain terms and all the Liberals don’t support all the principles. It is a concept of contradictions as it supports progressive view at one time and condemns the same at another time.
Question 6.
Write four differences between Classical Liberalism and Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
1. Classical liberalism begins with the individual, whereas modem liberalism begins with group and association. Modern individualism regards the group and not the individual as its unit for political purposes.
2. Classical liberalism asserts that the government can and often does constitute a threat to the freedom of individual. But according to new Liberalism, government interference does not present a threat to the freedom of the individual.
3. Classical liberalism minimises the functions of the state and it favours the non-interference of the state in individual matters. But the modern liberalism does not accept non-interference by the state as the sole objective. Rather it favours state interference where it is desirable for the common benefit of the society.
4. Classical liberalism was philosophy of middle class, while new liberalism is an ideology of Capitalist class.
Question 7.
Explain the etymological meaning of Liberalism.
Or
Explain the literal meaning of Liberalism.
Answer:
Liberalism is an outstanding ideology of the modern world. The word ‘Liberalism’ originated from Latin word ‘Liberalis’ which means free man. The principle of Liberalism basically believes in the freedom of an individual. Liberalism wants to establish such a system where man is free and he can develop his personality without any external hindrance. According to Hallowell, “Liberalism is the embodiment of the demands for freedom in religious, political and economic sphere.”
Question 8.
Write a short note on Empirical Liberalism.
Answer:
Mill and Green emphasised the moral dimension of democracy. But the empirical liberals like Schumpeter and Dahl treat democracy as a mechanism to bring about equilibrium in society. They are not concerned with moral issues. For them democracy is essentially a competition between two or more elite groups for power to govern society. Some American political scientists even regard a low level of citizens’ participation as essential for the maintenance of equilibrium.
Very Short Answer type Questions
Question 1.
Discuss the meaning of Classical Liberalism.
Answer:
Classical Liberalism is the original form of Liberalism. The classical liberals accept the individuals as central to the entire political system and they believe in rationality of the individual. Classical liberalism viewed freedom as absence of restraints. It treated the state as an artificial institution which came into existence with the consent of the individual. To the liberal thinkers the state was a necessary evil and the state which performed the minimum functions was the best.
Question 2.
Discuss the meaning of Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
Contemporary Liberalism opposed the policy of open competition and free trade. Contemporary Liberalism opposes the theory of natural rights and it believes that the rights can be enjoyed only within the state. Modern Liberalism supports positive liberty and it favours that the economy should be regulated by the state. Contemporary Liberalism favours state interference where it is desirable for the common benefit of the society.
Question 3.
What are two forms of Liberalism?
Answer:
Two forms of Liberalism are-Classical liberalism or Negative liberalism and Positive or Contemporary liberalism.
Question 4.
Write down any two definitions of Liberalism.
Answer:
- According to Encyclopaedia Britanica, Liberalism is the sum and substance of freedom. It regards it as the theory of freedom.
- According to MacGovern, “Liberalism as a political creed is compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individualism.”
Question 5.
Write any two principles of Liberalism.
Answer:
Following are the main features of liberalism:
1. Faith in Human Reason:
The basic principle of Liberalism is a faith in human reason. The liberals like John Locke and Thomas Paine, in 17th and 18th centuries emphasised the fact that man should not accept any tradition
which is useless if tested by reason. Liberalism attaches more importance to reason than feelings.
2. Supporter of Human Freedom:
Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth right. According to Laski, “Liberalism is directly related to freedom for it came as a foe of privilege by virtue of birth or creed.”
Question 6.
Write two basic features of Classical Liberalism.
Answer:
1. Supreme Value of the Individual:
The first basic principle of classical liberalism is that it believes in the inherent and supreme value of the individual. It places the individual in the centre of politics and takes an atomistic view of society. It regards society merely as an aggregate of its individual members.
2. Supporter of Freedom:
The classical liberalists regard freedom to life as supreme, because in its absence all other freedoms will become meaningless.
Question 7.
Write down any two basic principles of Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
Classical liberalism was modified in the end of the 19th century. Following are the main principles of the contemporary liberalism:
1. Opposition to open competition:
The contemporary liberalism is opposed to open competition and free trade as it results in making the rich more rich and the poor more poor.
2. Opposed to the theory of natural rights:
The contemporary liberalism is opposed to the theory of natural rights and it believes that the rights are given and protected by the state.
Question 8.
Explain the verbal meaning of Liberalism.
Answer:
Liberalism stands for the theory and practice of individual liberty, constitutionalism and reforms for human uplift. Sartori says, “Very simple, Liberalism is the theory and practice of individual liberty, Judicial defence and constitutional state.”
According to Hallowell, “Liberalism is the embodiment of the demand for freedom in every sphere of life i.e. intellectual, social, religious, political and economic.”
Question 9.
Mention any two arguments against Liberalism.
Answer:
- Liberals like Bentham regard man to be selfish, but this conception is wrong. No individual can be wholly selfish or wholly selfless.
- Many liberals consider state to be a necessary evil, but this is incorrect.
- State is a natural expression of man’s social consciousness. Modern state is a welfare state.
Question 10.
Mention three differences between Liberalism and Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
1. Classical liberalism begins with the individual, whereas modern liberalism begins with group and association. Modern individualism regards the group and not the individual as its unit for political purposes.
2. Classical liberalism asserts that the government can and often does constitute a threat to the freedom of individual. But according to new Liberalism, government interference does not present a threat to the freedom of the individual.
One Line Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What do you understand by Liberalism?
Answer:
The origin of the English word ‘Liberalism’ can be traced to ‘Liberalis’ which is a Latin word. Etymologically it means the Free man. It means that an individual should get freedom so that he may develop his personality.
Question 2.
Write down one definition of Liberalism.
Answer:
According to William Mac Govern, “Liberalism is a political creed, is a compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individual.”
Question 3.
Write down any one feature of Liberalism.
Answer:
Liberalism considers an individual as the central-point of social, economic and political system.
Question 4.
Write down any one exponent of Liberalism.
Answer:
T.H. Green
Question 5.
Write two main forms of Liberalism.
Or
Write down two forms of Liberalism.
Answer:
- Classical Liberalism
- Modern Liberalism.
Question 6.
What do you mean by Classical Liberalism?
Answer:
Classical Liberalism wants the least control of state on the individual. It wants that a state should not interfere in the economic sphere.
Question 7.
Write down one characteristic of Classical Liberalism.
Answer:
Supreme importance of the individual.
Question 8.
What do you mean by Contemporary or Modern Liberalism?
Or
What is meant by Contemporary Liberalism?
Answer:
Modern Liberalism accepts state as a moral and social institution. According to Modern Liberalism, the laws of the state are essential to regulate the freedom of the individual.
Question 9.
Write down any two characteristics of Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
- Belief in Humanism
- Belief in the dignity and freedom of the individual.
Fill in the Blanks
1. The word ‘Liberalism’ originated from ……………. Word.
Answer:
Latin
2. The basic principle of Liberalism is faith in human ……………. .
Answer:
Reason
3. Liberalism believes in the principle of Live and ……………. .
Answer:
let live
4. According to Classical liberalists, sovereignty rests with the ……………. .
Answer:
people
5. Classical liberalism stands for ……………. rights.
Answer:
natural
6. Liberalism is an inseparable part of ……………. .
Answer:
Democracy.
True or False Statement
1. Individulism is another form of Liberalism.
Answer:
False
2. The liberals consider man to be end and State the means.
Answer:
True.
3. Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth right.
Answer:
True.
4. Locke has been rightly described as the father of Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
False
5. The chief advocates of positive or Contemporary liberalism were T.H. Green, Laski etc.
Answer:
True.
Choose The Correct Answer
Question 1.
The origin of the English word ‘Liberalism’ can be traced to:
(a) Liberalis
(b) Labour
(c) Liber
(d) Liberal.
Answer:
(a) Liberalis
Question 2.
Who said, “Liberalism as a political creed is a compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individualism.”?
(a) Laski
(b) Sartori
(c) T.H. Green
(d) Mac Govern.
Answer:
(d) Mac Govern.
Question 3.
Who is the supporter of Liberalism?
(a) Cicero
(b) Locke
(c) Stalin
(d) Lenin.
Answer:
(b) Locke
Question 4.
Who is the supporter of Contemporary Liberalism?
(a) T.H. Green
(b) Adam Smith
(c) Spencer
(d) Bentham.
Answer:
(a) T.H. Green
Question 5.
Which one of the following is the basic principle of Classical Liberalism?
(a) Faith in Natural Rights
(b) Faith in Human Reason
(c) Faith in Human Liberty
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.
Question 6.
Which of the following is not a feature of Contemporary Liberalism?
(a) Faith in Humanism
(b) Belief in human freedom
(c) Police State
(d) Secularism.
Answer:
(c) Police State