Liberalism
Updated: Aug 7
What is liberalism?
Liberalism is an abstract philosophy in favor of protecting citizens' rights, freedom, and equality before the law.
Timeline:
Early Thinkers:
1 - Spanning from the first religious war—the First Sacred War (595-585 BCE)—to what is considered the final one—The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)—the horrific European wars sparked the people's need for peace and liberty in choosing their own faith.
2 - John Locke, an English philosopher, was the founder of the initial roots of liberalism by arguing that governments should only be able to protect individual rights.
3 - Adam Smith—the father of capitalism and modern economics—strongly encouraged and advocated for free-market economic ideas. He believed that trade worked best when it was up to the dealers with no government intervention, leaving individuals to buy and sell freely.
The Expansion Of Liberalism:
1 - Glorious Revolution (1688): England gave more power to Parliament and restricted the king’s power.
2 - American Revolution (1776): To stray away from Britain’s rule, American colonies used liberal ideas such as freedom and equality.
3 - French Revolution (1789): Government bodies and French people overthrew their king at the time—Louis XVI—and the old class system.
This is called the Ancien Régime, which occurred through three estates.
1 - First Estate: For those who held immense wealth and paid no taxes. Catholic Clergy—priests, bishops, and deacons.
2 - Second Estate: Reserved for French royals and nobles. They owned a lot of land without paying taxes and held high offices.
3 - Third Estate: Everyone else. Middle class, urban workers, and rural peasants. They all paid full taxes, had almost no political power, and made up 98% of France’s population.
The Word’s Origin
The word Liberalism refers back to “liber”. A Latin word meaning free. As well as Liberalis, which means befitting a free person. For centuries, the term liberal referred to generosity rather than a political system. The first political use of the full term Liberalism occurred in Spain—in the 1900s—when a faction called Liberales came together within the Spanish parliament to oppose the status quo of monarchy, then outline a constitutional government.
Evolution Of The Term
The philosophical basis of the word traces back to John Locke and Adam Smith’s writings that endorsed individual rights, free markets, and religious tolerance.
The adoption of the suffix -ism was an addition in the 19th century, with the reason being to make it an official and distinct political ideology.
Modern Day Use
Today, Liberalism is used in over 100 countries.
American Liberalism:
It is aligned with the democratic system and center-left politics in the United States of America. It utilizes government intervention to solve economic and social obstacles.
1 - Social Welfare: Government programs aiding in social security, public healthcare, and public education.
2 - Civil Rights: Advocacy for women’s rights, racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive freedom.
3 - Regulation: Applying state power to protect the environment, reduce economic inequality, and regulate big businesses.
European Liberalism
In Europe, liberalism stays close to its initial roots. It is usually a center-right centrist position that favors individual freedom and free markets over a large welfare state.
1 - Economic Freedom: In favor of lower taxes, free trade, and less government intervention in business.
2 - Personal Liberty: Sturdy backing for free speech, secularism—detaching public affairs and government from religious beliefs and institutions—and individual sovereignty with minimal state interference in private life.
Learn More:
Media:
Bulworth (1998)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
The Candidate (1972)
Books:
On Liberty (John Stuart Mill)
The Conscience Of A Liberal (Paul Krugman)
Liberalism as a Way of Life (Alexandre Lefebvre)
Freedom’s Power (Paul Starr)
Written By
Layan Alsemrani - CEO & Founder
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