AGSB | History and Politics | Liberalism Past Exam Questions

Year 13 - Government and Politics

Short questions, 15 minutes duration, carrying 20 marks.

Outline a liberal critique of the socialist view of equality.
Distinguish between negative and positive freedom identifying the implications of each view for the state.
Using examples, distinguish between individualism and collectivism.
Outline a liberal defence of toleration and pluralism.
Why do liberals support constitutionalism and consent?
What kind of equality do liberals support and why?
Distinguish between individualism and collectivism and explain the implications of each for the state.
On what grounds do liberals support democracy?

Long questions, 45 minutes duration, carrying 60 marks.

'At the heart of liberalism lies a fear of unchecked power'. Discuss.
To what extent is liberalism compatible with democracy?
How, and to what extent, have modern liberals departed from the ideas of classical liberalism?
'Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Why do liberals believe this and what are its implications?
Have modern liberals abandoned individualism and embraced collectivism?

R.N.G. Sept 2003