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Classical Liberalism

Classical liberalism is a political ideology born from the Enlightenment, emphasizing individual liberties, the rule of law, private property, and free markets. It was shaped by thinkers like John Locke, David Hume, and John Stuart Mill, who advocated for limited government and personal autonomy. The philosophy has evolved into modern liberalism, differing in views on freedom and the role of the state, yet its legacy continues to influence political and economic systems worldwide.

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1

______ liberalism is a political ideology that began during the ______ period, promoting individual liberties and restricting government powers.

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Classical Enlightenment

2

Enlightenment's key principles

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Reason, science, empirical evidence; challenged monarchy and church authority.

3

Enlightenment's impact on governance

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Encouraged questioning of absolutism; advocated for individual freedoms in governance.

4

Classical liberalism is based on the idea of ______ rights, suggesting that individuals are ______ beings who can make self-interested choices.

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individual rational

5

______ ______ Mill, an influential thinker in liberal thought, advocated for the defense of individual ______, especially when actions concern only the individual.

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John Stuart autonomy

6

Classical liberals' view on the state

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See state as potential threat to individual freedoms; advocate for limited government.

7

Hobbes vs Locke on social contract

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Hobbes: strong sovereign to avoid 'nasty, brutish, and short' life. Locke: government protects natural rights.

8

Government's role in social contract

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To provide security and order, preventing the chaos of a state of nature.

9

______'s theories directly challenged the idea of monarchial divine right with concepts of government by consent and natural rights.

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John Locke

10

The philosophy of utilitarianism, which focuses on maximizing happiness for the majority, was proposed by ______ and later refined by ______ regarding individual liberty.

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Jeremy Bentham John Stuart Mill

11

Classical Liberalism vs. Modern Liberalism: Foundation

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Both share individualism and capitalism support; differ in freedom concept and state's role.

12

Negative Liberty: Definition

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Freedom from external constraints; emphasized by classical liberalism.

13

Positive Liberty: Modern Liberalism's Approach

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Includes opportunities provision and support for personal goals; advocates state's role in social justice.

14

The principles of a ______ economy by ______ significantly influenced the Industrial Revolution.

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free-market Adam Smith

15

The ______ Revolution drew inspiration from liberal concepts such as liberty, equality, and fraternity.

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French

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The Origins of Classical Liberalism

Classical liberalism is a political ideology that originated in the Enlightenment period in Europe, advocating for the protection of individual liberties and the limitation of government powers. It champions personal freedoms, the rule of law, private property, and free markets. The philosophy of classical liberalism has significantly influenced the formation of democratic societies, underpinning the constitutional frameworks that define the rights and responsibilities of citizens and the scope of government authority.
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The Enlightenment: A Catalyst for Liberal Ideals

The Enlightenment, a transformative cultural movement in the 17th and 18th centuries, fostered the development of classical liberalism. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized reason, science, and empirical evidence, challenging the traditional authority of the monarchy and the church. This intellectual climate encouraged the questioning of absolutist rule and the advocacy for freedoms that became central to classical liberal thought.

Fundamental Tenets of Classical Liberalism

Classical liberalism is founded on the principle of individual rights, positing that people are rational beings capable of making decisions in their self-interest. John Stuart Mill, a key figure in liberal philosophy, argued for the protection of individual autonomy, distinguishing between actions that concern only oneself and those that affect others. He proposed that the state should only intervene in the latter case to prevent harm, thereby safeguarding personal liberty while promoting social welfare.

The Role of the State and the Concept of the Social Contract

Classical liberals view the state with caution, considering it a potential threat to individual freedoms. The concept of the social contract, as articulated by Thomas Hobbes and later by John Locke, suggests that individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms to a governing authority in exchange for security and order. This framework justifies the existence of a government while emphasizing its responsibility to serve the people, protecting them from the chaos of a lawless natural state.

Pioneers of Classical Liberal Thought

The development of classical liberalism was influenced by several philosophers. John Locke's theories of government by consent and natural rights directly opposed the notion of monarchial divine right. David Hume examined human nature through the lenses of passion and reason, while Immanuel Kant prioritized the role of reason and ethics. Jeremy Bentham's utilitarianism proposed maximizing happiness for the majority, and John Stuart Mill further refined the concept of individual liberty and the importance of personal autonomy.

Classical Liberalism and Its Evolution into Modern Liberalism

While classical liberalism and modern liberalism share a foundation in individualism and support for capitalism, they diverge in their conceptualization of freedom. Classical liberalism emphasizes negative liberty, or freedom from external constraints, whereas modern liberalism advocates for positive liberty, which includes the provision of opportunities and support to achieve personal goals. Modern liberalism also endorses a more proactive role for the state in ensuring social justice and economic equity, contrasting with the classical liberal preference for limited government intervention.

The Enduring Legacy of Classical Liberalism

Classical liberalism has left an indelible mark on both economic theory and political practice. The free-market principles espoused by Adam Smith and the natural rights philosophy of John Locke were instrumental in the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the shaping of neoliberal economic policies in the late 20th century. Politically, the French Revolution was inspired by liberal ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The social contract theory, further refined by John Rawls in the 20th century, remains a pivotal concept in political philosophy, attesting to the lasting influence of classical liberal thought.