Has liberalism betrayed its classical principles
Has Liberalism betrayed its classical principles?
Classical liberalism seeks to maximise the realm of unconstrained individual action, by establishing a minimal state and a reliance on market economics. These ideas developed a lot during the early industrialisation of the 19th century.
Modern liberalism provides a qualified endorsement for social and economic intervention as a means of promoting personal development. These ideas were related to the further development of industrialisation.
Classical liberals thought that the best way to promote individualism was to allow individuals to make the most out of their individualism whereas modern liberals make sure everyone has the support network that is needed to become individual.
Modern liberalism could be seen as an ideology which betrayed its initial principles; however, it can also be seen as a developed version of classical liberalism. As society changes overtime, ideologies may have to view certain aspects differently to adapt to society. This could have been the case between classical liberalism and modern liberalism.
One way this could be demonstrated is with the economy. Classical liberals believed in a market free from government interference and constraint, which is known as free-market economy. Political economists such as Adam Smith were against mercantilism which emphasised the state's role in managing international trade and delivering prosperity. Instead, Smith believed that the economy works best when it is left alone by government and is managed by what he referred to as the 'invisible hand'. The classical liberals had a strong liberal view on the economy as freedom within the market meant freedom of choice, which allowed businesses to choose what goods to produce, and who to employ. Free-market beliefs were backed up with the doctrine of laissez-faire which suggested that the state should leave the economy alone and have no economic role. This remained strong in UK throughout 19th
Classical liberalism seeks to maximise the realm of unconstrained individual action, by establishing a minimal state and a reliance on market economics. These ideas developed a lot during the early industrialisation of the 19th century.
Modern liberalism provides a qualified endorsement for social and economic intervention as a means of promoting personal development. These ideas were related to the further development of industrialisation.
Classical liberals thought that the best way to promote individualism was to allow individuals to make the most out of their individualism whereas modern liberals make sure everyone has the support network that is needed to become individual.
Modern liberalism could be seen as an ideology which betrayed its initial principles; however, it can also be seen as a developed version of classical liberalism. As society changes overtime, ideologies may have to view certain aspects differently to adapt to society. This could have been the case between classical liberalism and modern liberalism.
One way this could be demonstrated is with the economy. Classical liberals believed in a market free from government interference and constraint, which is known as free-market economy. Political economists such as Adam Smith were against mercantilism which emphasised the state's role in managing international trade and delivering prosperity. Instead, Smith believed that the economy works best when it is left alone by government and is managed by what he referred to as the 'invisible hand'. The classical liberals had a strong liberal view on the economy as freedom within the market meant freedom of choice, which allowed businesses to choose what goods to produce, and who to employ. Free-market beliefs were backed up with the doctrine of laissez-faire which suggested that the state should leave the economy alone and have no economic role. This remained strong in UK throughout 19th