I thought this to be an excellent article to read upon to broadening our understanding of the word “Liberalism.” Often times we think Liberalism and associate the word with anything related to progressives and Leftists, but the origin of the word has more substance than a polarization of the word itself to be used in hyperbolic terms to which has been the case in contemporary politics. This article defines similarities and differences between Social Liberalism and Classical Liberalism.
Liberalism is a political philosophy based on the rights of the individual, political equality, liberty, equality before the law, and consent of the governed. However, political theorists usually make a distinction between social liberalism vs classical liberalism because these two branches of liberalism have different philosophical bases and different policy implications. In this article, we will be looking at the differences and similarities between social liberalism and classical liberalism.
What is social liberalism?
Social liberalism is a political philosophy and branch of liberalism that endorses social justice and the expansion of civil and political rights. This branch of liberalism contends that society must protect liberty and opportunity for all citizens. It views the common good as harmonious with the freedom of the individual and is economically based on the social market economy.
What is classical liberalism?
Classical liberalism is a political philosophy and branch of liberalism that advocates laissez-faire and free market economics; civil liberties under the rule of law with particular emphasis on freedom of speech, individual autonomy, economic freedom, limited government, and political freedom. This branch of liberalism gained full flowering in the late 18th century and was built on ideas that stemmed as far back as the 13th century.
Video: Social liberalism vs classical liberalism
Here is a link to the article in which this post is based on that fully explains these two terms in a very straight forward way highlighting their similarities and differences.
A lot of us could be said to be somewhat Liberal in the real meaning of the word. “Liberal” has just become a convenient word (catch all word) for anything having to do with the Left. I’ve known this for quite a while, but I’m fine with it.
Its a hi-jacked term by the left and the correct term is social liberal. Conservatives is more aligned with “Classical Liberal.”
Remember having a beer with a friend or colleague who was your opposite when it came to political beliefs? Democrats and Republicans arguing things over a beer but were still friends the next day? Hmm! I guess those days are long gone huh?
I actually have a couple of friends like that. But, we all see how f**ked up politics/politicians are on both sides so, we have our disagreements on things, but we are able to maintain civil discourse and stay friends.
Unfortunately, today’s Left has no desire to be civil about anything.
I guess your friends are from a different era and political landscape than the ones of today. I don’t think I have any leftists friends. Maybe one, but I doubt they would admit it.
That’s probably true. I will be 64 next month and most of my friends are of the same age. I have no doubt that if I were your age today that I would have any Left leaning friends.
We deal with quite a few people in their 30’s/40’s that have diarrhea of the mouth when it comes to stating their opinions on things… without being asked. They somehow find a way to inject it into anything being discussed about what they want done with their furniture…lol. I just let the boss deal with them and go do something else… or go back to the truck and wait.
In Australia “liberal” means conservative.
Thus liberal right vs labour left.
Probably the same in NZ and UK.
In Japan, the ruling pro-American party calls itself the “Liberal Democratic Party” which has virtually ruled Japan non-stop since 1945. Yes, it has brought economic prosperity and high standard of living from the ashes and devastation in 1945, but it has brought dumbing-down of the population.
I have, or should I say I had, a leftist friend in Australia and I tried not to discuss politics with him while I was down under as well as during his visits to Japan.
Nonetheless, during the early days of the Covid madness, I urged him and his son not to get jabbed. I sent him a few emails with some articles attached but they were returned to me by his Australian mail provider, so guess my mails are censored there.
What’s wrong with the left? They were the first to line up to get jabbed like my friend. As David Icke said, the left are completely taken.
I don’t think those are Classical Liberal countries but definitely socialist countries. I think the illusion of conservatism is just that an illusion.
How so? Do people in Japan care about voting like they do in China? Nobody cares anymore or do they think their vote counts and makes a difference in who gets elected?
What we learned during the COVID crisis is that the left has become completely unhinged and they showed themselves exactly who we thought them to be and much more. I am one to not forget who a lot of behaved towards the antivaxers especially the celebrities. I detest them now.
In all the ink that’s been spilled about the friendship — both political and personal — between Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill during the 1980s, much has been made about how the two political opposites could put aside their party differences at the end of the day and enjoy a drink together.
Then we have today:
The percentage of Americans who strongly dislike the opposition party has gone up by about 400% in just the last two decades.
You can see this very clearly in the numbers. Take a look at the American National Election Studies. Since the late 1970s, they have been asking Americans to regularly rate on a scale of zero (very cold) to 100 (very warm) how they feel about each political party.
In 1978, Democrats and Republicans were actually pretty OK with the other party. The average Democrat rated the Republican Party a 48, as in right in the middle. The average Republican rated the Democratic Party at a similar 46.
Nearly a majority of Republicans (48%) gave the Democratic Party a zero on the 0-to-100 scale. This marks a nearly 600% increase in two decades. Slightly fewer Democrats (39%) give the opposition a 0, though this is a nearly 300% increase from 2000’s 10%.
I think Obama tried that nonsense with having a beer, however his actions spoke otherwise. I also think it was him that destroyed both decorum of decency and civility and turned it in the anger games and the haters club. In other words it was Obama that led us to this place, no one else.
Totally agree with this. Obama was the catalyst for all the hate, strife and anger in the country today. He was the most devisive POTUS ever… and the worst, IMO. I know Carter was bad, but he was a good man. He just shouldn’t have ever been in the White House. Obama had/has an agenda to take this country down from the start… Biden is just the face of the agenda now. He has no clue what he’s doing and how he’s being used.
This next election has to stop this madness… or at least rein it in until it can be stopped altogether.
Liberalism is a political philosophy based on the rights of the individual, political equality, liberty, equality before the law, and consent of the governed.
Liberalism is dead today.
Today we have social liberalism tainted by the woke movement and progressivism.
Very well stated. How the left hijacked the word Liberalism is because at one time they were more to the center than what they are today. Case in point, John F. Kennedy today would be more conservative than a Democrat. The same with his nephew RFK jr. which is why a lot of people wanted him to run as a Republican.
