AO1: Liberals believe a state is necessary to guarantee freedom (Mill) AO2: liberals agree that preventing harm to others (Mill) is a key role for the state, as it ensures that individuals have as much freedom as possible AO3: therefore this can justifiably be seen as a unifying feature of liberalism, showing that preventing harm is an essential role for the state AO1: Liberals believe states must emerge via consent (Locke) AO2: liberals support social contract theory as a core principle of liberalism, which shows the state as a voluntary contract between the state and citizens AO3: consequently this is crucial for all liberals as the commitment to social contract is at the heart of the liberal view of state AO1: Liberals support a state to maintain order (Locke). AO2: liberals agree that society needs a state in order to uphold order and ensure maximum freedom, this is a core principle for all liberals as, at the heart of liberalism, is a commitment to individual freedom AO3: thus this leads to deep agreement amongst liberals over their commitment to the state, which they agree is the only way that individual freedom can be guaranteed

AO1: there are clear ideological differences between the two on the role of state AO2: classical liberals disagree with modern liberals, believing the sole purpose of the state is to 'prevent harm to others' (Mill) and to create order, as they believe the state has great potential for evil, whereas modern liberals believe the state has more potential for good, seeking to extend it beyond its basic function of ensuring order and preventing harm (Rawls) AO3: this shows, therefore, fundamental differences in their view of the state's purpose based on differing interpretations of freedom and the benign nature of the state in its reach AO1: classical liberals support a minimal 'nightwatchman' state, which is also shown in their commitment to free-market economics AO2: classical liberals disagree with modern liberals over the role of the state in the economy, believing free-market economics to be the best way to guarantee freedom, whereas modern liberals support Keynesian economics requiring state intervention AO3: consequently showing a clear, irreconcilable conflict between them as their different views on how to run the economy are directly related to their different views on the role of state AO1: modern liberals support an enabling state to help individuals to become free (Rawls) and believe a Keynesian economy helps individuals achieve greater freedom. AO2: modern liberals disagree with classical liberals about the state's ability to enhance individual freedom, arguing that a larger, enabling state can help people to be free (Rawls), whereas classical liberals believe that any increase in the state automatically limits an individual's freedom AO3: therefore modern and classical liberals are diametrically opposed with regard to whether the state enhances freedom or diminishes it