Core Features of Liberalism

Core Features of Liberalism

• Individual freedom
• Private property
• Liberty
• Capitalism

Classical Liberalism

• 17th Century to Late 19th Century: Negative liberty emphasized individual freedom from interference. This was viewed as a natural right for self-determination and self-reliance.
• Minimal State: Government intervention should be limited, with liberty understood as the absence of constraint. Jefferson advocated for "the government that governs least..."
• Laissez-Faire Capitalism: Free markets, not government intervention, were believed to drive wealth creation, with benefits trickling down to all.
• Mary Wollstonecraft: Questioned how a nation could be free if women weren't.

Later Classical Liberalism

• Industrial Revolution's Role: Classical liberals analyzed the industrial revolution's impact on economies and societies, focusing on individual choices and maximizing happiness (Utilitarianism).
• Utilitarianism: Bentham's theory proposed a scientific alternative to Natural Rights Theory, emphasizing the "greatest happiness for the greatest number".
• Self-Help: Thinkers like Smiles emphasized self-reliance, arguing that state intervention would stifle individual development. Individuals should strive for their own success, rather than relying on the state for support. Herbert Spencer, a contemporary, shared this view.
• Smiles and Spencer: Both emphasized the importance of self-help and disliked excessive state intervention in society.

Modern Liberalism

• 19th Century to Present: Modern liberals questioned if individuals could truly achieve liberty in the face of strong economic forces, like capitalism.
• Positive Liberty: Recognized that negative liberty (freedom from interference) wasn't enough for individuals to achieve their full potential; enabling conditions were needed.
• Social Justice and the Enlarged State: Modern liberals advocated for a more involved state to address social inequalities and ensure basic opportunities, such as pensions and welfare.
• John Rawls and the "Veil of Ignorance": This experiment addressed the issue of social inequality, questioning whether individuals would accept a birth lottery, suggesting that awareness of potential inequality and need for state intervention is valid.
• John Maynard Keynes: Advocated for state intervention to manage the economy and ensure full employment, recognizing a necessary role for the state to help achieve freedom and liberty for all.
• Tolerance of Individual Freedoms: Emphasized the importance of individual rights, especially concerning personal freedom of choice, without state interference or restrictions.

This quiz delves into the fundamental principles of liberalism, highlighting key features such as individual freedom, private property, and capitalism. It explores classical liberalism from the 17th century to the late 19th century, examining ideas from prominent thinkers and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on economic and social structures.