PS202- Introduction to Politicial Analysis and Research

Liberalism
Group Members:
Bacquial, Neil Jeff
Balansag, Bien Vincent
Danwata,Denzel Ray
Dela Cruz, Gelo
Pendatun, Zandria
Podador, Maria Natasha
Villas, Yesha Mae
 Topic
Coverage

1 Introduction to Liberalism

2 Key Ideas of Liberalism

4 ModernLiberalism

3 Classical Liberalism

5 Comparing Classical and Modern Liberalism

6 Topic Conclusion
First and
foremost,what is
Liberalism?
Liberalism a term rooted in the Latin
word liber, which means free.
Liberalism advocates liberty, another
word linguistically related to liber.
Liberalism is a political and philosophical
ideology that emphasizes individual rights,
freedom, equality, and limited government
intervention in the lives of citizens.
Historical Context:

The American Revolution (1775-1783) and the French

Revolution (1789-1799) were major historical events that
were influenced by liberal ideas. The United States
Declaration of Independence, with its emphasis on "life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," reflected liberal
principles. Similarly, the French Revolution aimed to replace
the absolute monarchy with a democratic system that
recognized individual rights.
Theoretical roots in the
writings of John Locke
and Adam Smith.

The theoretical roots of liberalism can be found in the 17th century

writings of John Locke and the 18th century works of Adam Smith.
These early liberals are known as classical liberals. In the nineteenth
century, liberalism was modified by theorists such as T. H. Green and Jane
Addams. This later form of liberalism is termed modern liberalism.

As reflected in the ideas of thinkers such as John Locke, it attacked absolutism and feudal privilege, instead advocating
constitutional and, later, representative government. By the early nineteenth century, a distinctively liberal economic creed
had developed that extolled the virtues of laissez-faire and condemned all forms of government intervention. This became the
centrepiece of classical, or nineteenth-century, liberalism. From the late nineteenth 80 century onwards, however, a form of
social liberalism emerged that looked more favourably on welfare reform and economic intervention. Such an emphasis
became the characteristic theme of modern, or twentieth-century, liberalism
Here's a brief overview of
their contributions:

John Locke:

Natural Rights and Social Contract: Locke's most significant contribution can be found in his writings on political philosophy. He believed in the concept of natural rights, which included the rights to life,
liberty, and property. He argued that these rights were inherent to all individuals by virtue of their existence and that governments were created to protect these rights. Locke's ideas formed the basis of
the social contract theory, which suggests that individuals form societies and governments to safeguard their natural rights.

Limited Government and Separation of Powers: Locke's ideas laid the groundwork for the principle of limited government. He argued that governments should be limited in their scope and should only
exercise powers that are expressly granted by the consent of the governed. Additionally, he introduced the notion of separating governmental powers into different branches to prevent abuses of power.

Rule of Law: Locke's writings highlighted the significance of the rule of law in maintaining a just society. The idea that both citizens and governments are subject to the law fosters the protection of
individual rights and prevents arbitrary exercise of power.

Adam Smith:

Economic Liberty and Laissez-Faire: Smith's concept of the invisible hand and his advocacy for free markets resonate with the economic dimension of liberalism. His writings underpin the liberal belief
in economic liberty, where individuals should be free to engage in economic activities without undue government intervention.

Individual Flourishing and Capitalism: Smith's exploration of the benefits of capitalism and the division of labor align with liberal notions of promoting individual flourishing and self-realization. The idea
that individuals pursuing their own interests can lead to the collective betterment of society is in line with liberal optimism about the potential benefits of individual freedom.

Limited Government in Economic Affairs: Smith's belief in limited government intervention in economic affairs echoes the broader liberal principle of limiting governmental interference to protect
personal and economic freedoms.
Key Ideas of Liberalism:

Individualism Reason

Freedom Equality

Toleration Constitutional

Consent
 Classical Liberalism Teaches That:

The individual is more important than the state and becomes a citizen of the state
only through consent.

The individual is rational and capable of making his or her own decisions; this
makes the individual capable of autonomy and self-government.

Progress is possible in political affairs, so change is not to be feared.

Evolution from classical to modern liberalism.

Economic inequality is not necessarily bad.

Economic freedom (individual freedom to make economic choices) is more

Classical important than economic equality.

Liberalism
The central theme of classical liberalism is a commitment to an extreme form of
individualism. Human beings are seen as egoistical, self-seeking and largely self-
reliant creatures.

Atomism: The belief that society is made up of a collection of largely self-

sufficient individuals who owe little or nothing to one another.

Economic liberalism: A belief in the market as a self-regulating mechanism

tending naturally to deliver general prosperity and opportunities for all.
 English philosopher T. H. Green (1836–1882) was an advocate of modern liberalism. Modern
liberals make the following revisions to liberal theory: They argue in favor of interventionist
government and expansive liberty. Interventionist government is government that takes a
role in regulating economic and social interactions. Expansive liberty is the objective sought
by the interventionist government.

Modern liberalism is characterized by a more sympathetic attitude towards state

intervention.

Modern Liberalism Teaches That:

Government intervention into individual and social life is sometimes necessary to

prevent some individuals from denying freedom to others.

Modern Liberty should be understood in broad, expansive, positive terms: as the liberty to seek
out ways to develop human potential and contribute in a meaningful way to society.

Liberalism
Economic inequality is to be regarded with suspicion, as a condition likely to undermine
the welfare of those who have lower incomes and thus to erode their chances of being
free (freedom being defined as expansive liberty).
Comparing Classical and
Modern Liberalism

Classical liberalism: Advocates limited states, upholds natural

equality but not economic equality.

Modern liberalism: Supports interventionist states, promotes

both natural and economic equality.

Both forms prioritize individual liberty but differ in their

approach to state power and economic equality.
Conclusion
In the crucible of history, liberalism emerges as a cornerstone
ideology that has fundamentally shaped the trajectory of
industrialized Western societies. Grounded in the principles of
individual liberty, limited government, and democratic governance,
liberalism's enduring legacy is seen in the protection of rights, the
dynamism of economies, and the tapestry of diverse cultures. As a
guiding compass, it has propelled societies to remarkable heights of
progress, while also igniting conversations about the delicate
balance between personal freedom and collective well-being. In an
era where global dynamics continue to evolve, the tenets of
liberalism stand as both a foundation to build upon and a vantage
point from which to navigate the complexities of an ever-changing
world.
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