Take this Quiz: A-Level Politics: Political Ideas | Zestly

Question 1

Classical liberals and modern liberals differ significantly in their justification for state intervention. Which of the following best characterises this internal disagreement?

Accepted Answer

Classical liberals view the state as a necessary evil limited to protecting individual rights, whereas modern liberals see the state as an enabling force that can expand positive freedom.

Answer

Classical liberals advocate for state-led redistribution to ensure equality of outcome, whereas modern liberals prioritise the protection of private property.

Answer

Classical liberals argue that the state must provide universal welfare to guarantee freedom, while modern liberals believe the state should only protect negative liberty.

Answer

Classical liberals believe in the absolute sovereignty of the individual, while modern liberals argue that the state must enforce traditional moral codes to maintain social order.

Question 2

John Stuart Mill's 'harm principle' is a cornerstone of liberal thought. How does this principle define the limits of state authority?

Accepted Answer

The state is only justified in interfering with an individual's liberty to prevent harm to others.

Answer

The state may restrict individual actions whenever they are deemed morally offensive by the majority of the population.

Answer

The state must regulate all private behaviour to ensure that individuals do not harm themselves through poor decision-making.

Answer

The state has the authority to intervene in any action that does not contribute to the overall economic productivity of the nation.

Question 3

Which of the following statements best describes the liberal view of human nature?

Accepted Answer

Individuals are rational, self-interested, and capable of making their own decisions.

Answer

Human nature is fundamentally flawed and requires strong institutional control to prevent chaos.

Answer

Humans are primarily defined by their social class and economic environment.

Answer

Individuals are inherently cooperative and only act selfishly when corrupted by private property.

Question 4

Conservatives often view society as an 'organic' entity. What is the primary implication of this belief for political change?

Answer

Society should be radically restructured periodically to ensure that it remains perfectly aligned with modern scientific progress.

Answer

The state should be abolished to allow the natural, organic growth of human relationships without interference.

Answer

Political institutions are merely social contracts that can be discarded whenever they no longer serve the majority's will.

Answer

Change should be cautious and incremental, as society is a complex, living system that can be damaged by sudden, artificial intervention.

Question 5

A real disagreement runs inside conservatism between One-Nation conservatives and the New Right. What is the main point of contention between them?

Answer

One-Nation conservatives accept a degree of social reform and state provision as the price of holding the nation together, while the New Right argues for free-market economics and a smaller state.

Answer

One-Nation conservatives reject the existence of the nation-state, while the New Right holds it to be absolutely necessary.

Answer

One-Nation conservatives put individual liberty above everything else, whereas the New Right is chiefly concerned with social equality.

Answer

One-Nation conservatives argue for revolutionary change, whereas the New Right insists on preserving the status quo at all costs.