UK A-Levels Politics Practice Exam

What does political liberalism react against?

1. Excessive government regulation in economics

2. Economic privatization

3. Radical leftist movements

4. Authoritarian governments

The correct answer is: Excessive government regulation in economics

Political liberalism primarily reacts against authoritarian governments. It emphasizes individual freedoms, democratic governance, and the rule of law, seeking to limit the power of the state over individuals. This ideology supports the idea that government authority should be derived from the consent of the governed, promoting civil liberties and political rights. While excessive government regulation in economics can be a concern for some liberal thinkers, the core reaction of political liberalism is fundamentally aimed at protecting individuals from oppressive and undemocratic structures imposed by authoritarian regimes. The focus is on ensuring free expression, political participation, and human rights, which are often threatened by authoritarianism. Economic privatization and radical leftist movements are less central to the historical and philosophical context of political liberalism. These alternatives may pose different economic or political challenges, but they do not represent the primary reaction of political liberalism itself.