Liberalism

:This article discusses liberalism as a major political ideology, not the usage of the term in specific countries. For links to articles about varieties of liberalism and liberal parties around the world, see Liberalism in various countries, below.

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Liberalism is an ideology, or current of political thought, which defines itself as striving to maximize individual liberty through a democratic system of rights under law. In this system, the form of society is determined by the outcome of open competitive process, generally including economic competition, free exchange of ideas, and political expression within a defined framework. Liberalism rejects many foundational assumptions which dominated most earlier theories of government, such as hereditary status and established religion.

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The fundamental principles of liberalism include these. That governments should rule with the consent of the governed; that individuals have a right to life, liberty and property; and that all citizens have equal rights under the law. Economic liberalism centers around property rights, and Social liberalism centers around individual rights in general.

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Liberalism originated in Europe, with its roots traced to renaissance humanism. Its foundational principles were set forth in the 17th and 18th centuries, in the work of philosophers such as John Locke, economists such as Adam Smith, and French and German Enlightenment thinkers.

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By the end of the 19th century, liberalism was generally accepted as being in opposition to socialism and Marxism. Later liberalism saw itself as opposed to ?totalitarian? ideologies such as communism and fascism. Liberalism differs from anarchy in asserting the need for government to protect the rights of individuals, especially of minorities. Recently, liberalism has again come into conflict with those who seek a society ordered by religious values: Islamism often rejects liberal thought in its entirety.

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Together with nationalism, liberalism has shaped much of western civilization since the late 18th century. While the first modern republics came into existance in America and France by revolution, most modern liberal governments stress the resolution of differences by peaceful means. Multi-party political pluralism has spread to much of the world, though not without opposition. Liberal principles such as free expression and religious tolerance are now enshrined in the constitutions of the many countries throughout the world and in transnational institutions such as the United Nations and the European Union. Liberal democracy does not solely belong to the liberal programme, but is supported by almost all western political groups (and generally taken for granted).

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All forms of liberalism claim to protect the fundamental dignity and autonomy of the individual, under law. They all share the belief that social justice is best achieved through the interactions of free individuals. Within this framework, however, there are deep, often bitter, conflicts and controversies. Emerging from those controversies are a number of different forms of liberalism.

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• Market liberalism or classical liberalism is the ideological foundation of the free market. Some liberal parties adhere to this form of liberalism, advocating laissez-faire economics, and minimal regulation of the marketplace, but generally accepting regulation of monopolies and cartels. It is especially influenced by English liberalism of the mid 19th century. Libertarianism claims to be the true present representative of this intellectual tradition, although that is disputed by some liberals.
• Social liberalism or modern liberalism (U.S. usage) advocates a mixed economy and some form of welfare or workfare to protect the poor. This is the predominant use of the word liberalism in some countries, including the United States. Like classical liberalism, it distrusts monopolies and cartels, but has less fear of government regulation for the public good.

Party politics is often concentrated on the competing demands for free enterprise and for social equality. Most contemporary liberal parties fall somewhere between these two forms.

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Liberalism: Etymology ►



 

Ideology: An ideology is a collection of ideas. The word ideology was coined by Count Destutt de Tracy in the late 18th century to define a "science of ideas." An ideology can be thought of as a comprehensive vision, as a way of looking at things (compare Weltanschauung), as in common sense (see Ideology in e...

Political: REDIRECT Politics...

Individual: In common speech, the word individual most often refers to a person, or, by analogy, to any specific object in a group of things. For example, you are an individual person, and a lawn is made of individual blades of grass. Originally, in the 15th century or earlier, the term meant "indivisible" as ...