How to use this

Two grids on the same template. The first is empty - print it, fill in each cell with a one-line note while you revise. The second is a worked example to check yourself against.

Each cell asks one question: does this row strengthen the column quality (mark +) or weaken it (mark -)? Then add a one-line note saying why. The plus and minus columns are deliberately not pre-printed - your judgement is the work.

Human nature = egoistical individuals, or developmental ones? The state = necessary evil, or guarantor of freedom? Freedom = negative freedom, or positive freedom? The economy = laissez-faire market, or Keynesian management? Society = formal equality, or substantive opportunity? The individual = is the individual the primary unit of society?

Liberalism strands - judgement grid + -

Empty version. Print and fill in.

Strand+ -

Human nature

The state

Freedom

The economy

Society

The individual

Classical

Modern

Liberalism strands - judgement grid + -

Filled version. Use this to check your own grid - and tap any cell for the full detail behind the judgement.

Strand+ -	Human nature	The state	Freedom	The economy	Society	The individual
Classical	+Strongly holds egoistical individualism - rational, self-interested, self-reliant; each person the best judge of their own interest (Locke, Mill).	+Strongly holds the necessary-evil, minimal night-watchman state - consent under Locke's contract, Mill's harm principle.	+Strongly holds negative freedom - the absence of constraint, being left alone (Mill's harm principle).	+Strongly holds laissez-faire free market - the invisible hand, private property predating the state (Locke), no welfare.	±Holds foundational and formal equality, tolerance and meritocracy, but stops at formal equality - the law treats people alike (Wollstonecraft).	+Strongly holds the primacy of the individual - atomistic, self-reliant, the basis of liberal politics.
Modern	+Strongly holds developmental individualism - still rational, but needing education, opportunity and freedom from want to flourish (Rawls, Friedan).	-Rejects the minimal night-watchman state - the state is a guarantor of freedom, not merely a necessary evil (Rawls).	±Keeps freedom central but redefines it as positive freedom - being enabled to develop, not just freedom from interference (Rawls).	-Rejects laissez-faire - Keynesian managed capitalism, a welfare state and intervention to deliver real equality of opportunity (Rawls).	+Strongly holds substantive equality of opportunity - real chances for all, requiring welfare and anti-discrimination law (Rawls, Friedan).	+Strongly holds the primacy of the individual - but the individual needs enabling conditions to develop (Rawls).

Strand+ -

Human nature

The state

Freedom

The economy

Society

The individual

Classical

+Strongly holds egoistical individualism - rational, self-interested, self-reliant; each person the best judge of their own interest (Locke, Mill).

+Strongly holds the necessary-evil, minimal night-watchman state - consent under Locke's contract, Mill's harm principle.

+Strongly holds negative freedom - the absence of constraint, being left alone (Mill's harm principle).

+Strongly holds laissez-faire free market - the invisible hand, private property predating the state (Locke), no welfare.

±Holds foundational and formal equality, tolerance and meritocracy, but stops at formal equality - the law treats people alike (Wollstonecraft).

+Strongly holds the primacy of the individual - atomistic, self-reliant, the basis of liberal politics.

Modern

+Strongly holds developmental individualism - still rational, but needing education, opportunity and freedom from want to flourish (Rawls, Friedan).

-Rejects the minimal night-watchman state - the state is a guarantor of freedom, not merely a necessary evil (Rawls).

±Keeps freedom central but redefines it as positive freedom - being enabled to develop, not just freedom from interference (Rawls).

-Rejects laissez-faire - Keynesian managed capitalism, a welfare state and intervention to deliver real equality of opportunity (Rawls).

+Strongly holds substantive equality of opportunity - real chances for all, requiring welfare and anti-discrimination law (Rawls, Friedan).

+Strongly holds the primacy of the individual - but the individual needs enabling conditions to develop (Rawls).