Origins of th 19 Century Liberalism History individualism

Origins of th 19 -Century Liberalism

History • individualism Awareness of individual grew Renaissance • Rejection of collective Reformation Enlightenment Revolution Liberalism • Age of Reason • Growth of individual thought • American • French • Industrial • Political (out of Enlightenment) • Economic (out of IR)

The basic principles of liberalism (which can be applied to the social, economic and political structures of society) Personal freedom: refers to the absence of coercion (force) and includes free speech, religious liberty, the right to private property, and the right to political opposition Equality of Right: all must abide by the same laws, which the government enforces with impartiality Belief in the Rule of Law – as created in the Magna Carta: no one is above the law. Limited government: means that the state (government) is an instrument serving a function in society and not in general charge of ALL society The government is there to prevent people from harming each other through force and fraud Consent of the governed: Government is responsible to people and may be changed by them

Thinkers whose ideas contributed to the ideology of economic, social and political liberalism Thomas Hobbes John Locke Baron de Montesquieu John Stuart Mill Adam Smith Aboriginal Contributions

Origins of Liberalism Enlightenment (political origin) Liberalism Industrial Revolution (economic origin)

Political of Values of Classical Liberalism ◦ Respect for rights and freedoms ◦ Natural rights; “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” ◦ The government holds power granted by people, and is obligated to ensure safety and security of people ◦ Citizens have right to revolt if that power or trust is violated ◦ Equality of opportunity ◦ Democracy ◦ Political expression is conservatism

Political Origins of Liberalism ◦. Writings of Enlightenment Advocated human reason, initiative, and individual worth (humanists) Reformation – emphasis on reason and logic to Church teachings, reflected dissatisfaction with corruption within the church Enlightenment- growing dissatisfaction with absolutism as a political system; if man is reasonable then should be able to govern himself.

Looks Like: American Revolution – 1776 ◦ Colonists, influenced by enlightenment ideas wanted representative govt to make laws ‘by the people, for the people’. “no taxation without representation”. ◦ Rejected the absolute rule King George ◦ Created republican system modeled after Montesquieu and Locke

French Revolution-1789 -1850 ◦ Influenced by Enlightenment ◦ Ideas of liberty, fraternity, equality ◦ Overthrew King Louis 16 th, rejected power of Catholic Church ◦ Created National Assembly (parliament) to create laws proposed by elected officials ◦ Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen (constitution) modeled after Locke & U. S.

Economic Values of Classical Liberalism Economic freedom Private property Individual incentive Govt intervention minimal Competition profit

Laissez-Faire Laissez-faire reflects the following ideas: ◦ Individuals need freedom to make own decisions. Therefore laissez-faire is contradicting mercantilism. ◦ Individuals’ selfishness and competitiveness will eventually improve their own society.

Adam Smith (1723 -1790) Scottish political economist He believed that if people worked first and foremost for themselves, everyone-including the state-would be better off. He published The Wealth of Nations (1776) in which he insisted individual self-interest in a free-market would strengthen the economy and benefit most people. He provided the foundation of much of the capitalist system

Looks Like: Industrial Revolution Why Great Britain? 1. Location/geography ◦ Island – sea trade, large navy and commercial fleet = expanded markets Created individual fortunes – ship owners and merchants Source of revenue to the government ◦ 2. Government System Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy Power was shared between king and parliament Parliament consisted of the wealthy – who welcomed any ideas that could make them money; also justified social Darwinism (reluctance of govt to intervene in the economy)

Government supports Classical Liberalism Enclosure Acts Over supply of labour drive wages down, increase profits, free up more capital for investment Economic growth increases Little need for collectivism as cities grow; New middle class emerges/consumers Belief that anyone, through initiative and hard work could join the rich.

Source Analysis: Friedrich Hayek There can be no freedom of press if the instruments of printing are under government control, no freedom of assembly if the needed rooms are so controlled, no freedom of movement if the means of transportation are a government monopoly • Which principle of liberalism does Friedrich Hayek believe is crucial? • What is Hayeks perspective on validity of capitalism?

Results of the Industrial Revolution Positives: ◦ The development of the factory system (efficiencies) ◦ Mechanization of labour ◦ Mass production = surpluses ◦ A market responsive to consumers ◦ innovations Did the social costs of Negatives ◦ Large gap between the extremely rich and the extremely poor ◦ Slums ◦ Starvation ◦ Child labour and worker abuse ◦ The degradation of the environment I. R. outweigh benefits?

In Summary: Classical liberalism values political freedom and a free market economy that has limited government intervention within the economy. Modern liberalism is different because it advocates a greater role for the state in society. Therefore Modern Liberalism: *Proposes government regulations with in the economy. *Separation between church and state. Classical liberalism *Proposes less government involvement with the economy. *Awareness of individualism. *Growth of Secularism. *Humanism

Modern Liberalism Liberals today generally believe today that every individual is unique. The purpose of life is to realize that potential, and to become whatever it is one is capable of becoming. The role of the state (government) is to produce the conditions under which individuals have the broadest possible choice in deciding upon their definition of good. Society, meanwhile, should celebrate this diversity while giving equal treatment to all, regardless of a person’s origins, colour, sex or status in life. In exchange for this respect, the individual must acknowledge responsibility for his own fortunes and for the fortunes of the community.

Values of Modern liberalism ◦ Can sometimes be confused with the present day Liberal political party ◦ Will accept greater levels of state interventions if they perceive it would promote justice and liberty for the greater good of its citizens ◦ Grew out of classical liberalism but with more consideration of minority rights ◦ A certain standard of living should be attainable for the greatest number of the population. This is why liberalism today will accept social welfare.

◦ Tolerance can vary according to the issue being addressed – moves more towards the social democratic philosophies ◦ want greater levels of freedom and personal choice (abortion, same-sex marriage, gun controls) but will accept more government intervention in politics and economics ◦ More inclined to favour humanitarianism, environmental issues

Thinkers Beliefs How their ideas were radical at that time. How their ideas are related to Classical Liberalism Hobbes Humans are naturally selfish and could live in peace by giving up all of their political rights to a ruler (Leviathan) who would in turn protect them. ►If Hobbes emphasis on the best interests of individuals (even under a strong political authority) reflects the importance of rights and freedoms. Social contract implies a degree of accountability. the leader did not protect the citizens, they could overthrow him. ►Hobbes valued the worth and protection of individual subjects. ►Believed a strong ruler was necessary to maintain order.

Thinkers Beliefs How their ideas were radical at that time. Locke Focused on reason and logic to determine actions. Believed humans had inalienable natural rights: Life, liberty, security, private property ►Government How their ideas are related to Classical Liberalism Advocated for accountability rule of law and to the people. protection of civil liberties, ►Ownership and protection rights, and freedoms of private under a property. constitution. ►Believed in a Social contract.

Thinkers Beliefs Montesquieu Separation of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government which would keep the government accountable. How their ideas were radical at that time. How their ideas are related to Classical Liberalism Wanted to eliminate the French monarchy. Placed high importance on the rule of law, the constitutional limitations on government, and the primacy of individual rights and freedoms.

Thinkers Beliefs How their ideas were radical at that time. Smith Believed that if individuals were free to make their own decisions in a free market, their self-interest (invisible hand) would benefit society as a whole. ►Opposition to How their ideas are related to Classical Liberalism Economic ideas the current are directly economic system related to (mercantilism). economic freedom, self►Free market and limited govt. interest, competition, and role in the private property. economy were controversial Ideas can also be ideas. tied to rule of law (contracts) and individual rights and freedoms.

Thinkers Beliefs How their ideas were radical at that time. How their ideas are related to Classical Liberalism Mill Believed in individual rights and freedoms as well as free speech. Only limitation should be if one’s actions could harm another. Capitalism required a degree of intervention. ►Emphasis Individual rights and freedoms. on rights and freedoms in an era where these rights were restricted. ►Capitalism needed restrictions to protect the weakest members of society.

Thinkers Beliefs Bentham ►Utilitarian ►liberty, rights, and so on exist independent of government ►"the greatest happiness for the greatest number” How their ideas were radical at that time. How their ideas are related to Classical Liberalism ►Emphasis ►Majority on rights and protection. freedoms ►Recognition that the job of government was to govern. ►Majority rules

Liberalism in Canada In 1982 the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms advanced the liberal cause by entrenching into the Canadian Constitution (Canada Act) both basic liberties and new linguistic (language) rights for minorities. The purpose of the Charter was to entrench (dig in) rights, especially language rights, where no government could ever take them away. With the Charter as a shield , a single citizen can achiever Locke’s vision of a society in which individual rights take precedence over authority. Our charter also protects collective rights of groups within the areas of language and culture. Thus supporting the principle of equality for all within society.

Other interpretations of Liberalism: Aboriginal Contributions It has been argued that many of the principles of liberalism originated in traditional Aboriginal societies. In Canada, our Aboriginal communities use liberal ideas such as elected leaders, government by consensus, leadership on the basis of merit, just punishment, and concepts of equality and equality before the law.

Great Law of Peace The Great Law of Peace provided the Haudenosaunee peoples with a constitution that dates back to the 15 th century. The Great Binding Law, as it sometimes is referred to, has three main principles: righteousness, health and power – all characteristics of liberalism. http: //www. iroquoisdemocracy. pdx. edu/ht ml/greatlaw. html Take a look at the original document.