The Columbia Encyclopedia says it better than I probably would (imagine that) so here it is folks, flung at ya - and it's fascinating!!!
And a question to ponder when you're done - where is liberalism headed? Times change FAST.
Origins | |
| Neither individualism nor the belief that freedom is a primary political good are immutable laws of history. Only in the Western world in the last several centuries have they assumed such importance as social factors that they could be blended into a political creed. Although Christianity had long taught the worth of the individual soul and the Renaissance had placed a value upon individualism in limited circles, it was not until the Reformation that the importance of independent individual thought and action were expressed in the teachings of Protestantism. At the same time, centralizing monarchs were destroying feudalism and alongside the nobility arose the bourgeoisie, a new social class that demanded the right to function in society, especially commercially, without restriction. This process took several centuries, and it may be said that the first philosopher to offer a complete liberal doctrine of individual freedom was the Englishman John Locke (1689). From this period on the doctrines of classical liberalism were evolved. | 2 |
| Classical Liberalism | |
| Classical liberalism stressed not only human rationality but the importance of individual property rights, natural rights, the need for constitutional limitations on government, and, especially, freedom of the individual from any kind of external restraint. Classical liberalism drew upon the ideals of the Enlightenment and the doctrines of liberty supported in the American and French revolutions. The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was characterized by a belief in the perfection of the natural order and a belief that natural laws should govern society. Logically it was reasoned that if the natural order produces perfection, then society should operate freely without interference from government. The writings of such men as Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Jeremy Bentham, and John Stuart Mill mark the height of such thinking. | 3 |
In Great Britain and the United States the classic liberal program, including the principles of representative government, the protection of civil liberties, and laissez-faire economics, had been more or less effected by the mid-19th cent. The growth of industrial society, however, soon produced great inequalities in wealth and power, which led many persons, especially workers, to question the liberal creed. It was in reaction to the failure of liberalism to provide a good life for everyone that workers’ movements and Marxism arose. Because liberalism is concerned with liberating the individual, however, its doctrines changed with the change in historical realities.
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Comments: 19
History can get so busy!
"Progress" is when it's for you.
"Welfare" is for when it's for somebody else.
Erin I think you will find very like minded people when it comes to that issue. And yes you will find some who are polar opposites. I recognize the abuses and misuse of the system. However the welfare system actually encompasses many including social security, Social Security Disability, the work programs put into place to help during the depression, food stamps, WIC, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. etc. Although I dont think (I hope) you were referring to all of these. I mean you dont really want to see our elderly deprived of what they do get in benefits do you? There are also a lot of people who do not abuse the system and use it as intended. A helping hand to get through a brief period to get back on your feet. So don't throw out the baby with the bath water. And for those who are retired, or disabled you dont throw them out either. Truth is this country has the means to see that no one goes hungry, sleeps on the streets, etc. etc. But when we are building "bridges to nowhere" (no offense to the handfull of people who live in nowhere), then we are allowing extreme waist. Believe me I know how frustrating it is to see people who complain because they cant buy the highest priced milk with their food stamps and so on. But those are the ones who you seem to notice more. There are still lots who really need, benefit, and do not abuse the system. Truth is all who pay taxes pay into this and many other systems. None of us want to have to need them. But you never know what the future holds and one day it could be anyone of us in need and I hope that if it were me no one would look at me as "sucking up tax dollars"
Good article.
Deborah,
Good remarks. None of us can foresee the future and misfortune can happen to any of us. Any system can be abused and I am sure Adam Smith would be turning over in his grave If he could see the abuses to which the capitalist system has been subject.
Hey I got Kudos! Woot!
LOL !!!
Kind of funny how the "party line" keeps changing. I recall when the Democrats had congress well for a long time and the Republicans kept preaching about small government. I want all sides to start going for and using common sense.
I think, I stress think, I read somewhere that the Federal government had hoped that laissez-faire economics to pull the country out of the Great Depression but it wasn't working.
I guess when it comes down to it I have known too many people who use the system only as it is meant to be used. I have a niece who became pregnant in high school and the school required pregnant students to take a special class. She did use the system. In return she is now a nurse, a home owner, a responsible mom and is not on the system anymore. I also have worked in health related fields where I have seen lots of need for the system and improvement of the system. And yes there are those who absolutely abuse the system. I think the real problem is we have too much knee jerk reaction to everything and good people on both sides get caught as innocent victims. Maybe one day!
I have a doctor (yes I am disabled) who is from Canada and I am dumbfounded at the differences of how they handle things and we do. Not saying all of one is right or wrong just that it is amazing to me.