Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value.A: "'Liberalism' is defined as a social ethic that advocates liberty, and equality in general." - Coady, C. A. J. Distributive Justice, A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy, editors Goodin, Robert E. and Pettit, Philip. Blackwell Publishing, 1995, p.440. B: "Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end." - Lord Acton Traditionally, what was meant by "liberty" was the freedom of each individual to do as they pleased, provided they did not infringe on the liberty of others. This is often called classical liberalism. Another form of liberalism, often called social liberalism, holds that freedom requires what is sometimes called a "level playing field", that for people to be free they must be free from the unequal power of those born to wealth and high social status. Attempts to level the playing field include anti-discrimination laws, civil service examinations, universal education, affirmative action, and progressive taxation. A third form of liberalism, now almost universal in liberal democracies, holds that the government should provide for the general welfare. This sometimes includes a dole for the poor, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick, all supported by taxes. Classical liberals often strongly object to this kind of liberalism, asserting that the freedom of private property takes precedence over the personal freedom that depends on health, education, and a place to live; they claim that private charity does the job as well, or even better.
Classical liberals seek a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on coercive power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government. Modern liberals advocate a government in which the rights of minorities are protected. Compare for the latter aspect the Oxford Manifesto of 1947 of the Liberal International (Respect for the language, faith, laws and customs of national minorities), Oxford Manifesto of 1997 (We believe that close cooperation among democratic societies through global and regional organisations, within the framework of international law, of respect for human rights, the rights of national and ethnic minorities, and of a shared commitment to economic development worldwide, is the necessary foundation for world peace and for economic and environmental sustainability), the ELDR Electoral programme 1994 (Protecting the rights of minorities flows naturally from liberal policy, which seeks to ensure equal opportunities for everyone). In modern society, classical and social liberals favour a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and equal opportunity. Compare the Oxford Manifesto of the Liberal International (These rights and conditions can be secured only by true democracy. True democracy is inseparable from political liberty and is based on the conscious, free and enlightened consent of the majority, expressed through a free and secret ballot, with due respect for the liberties and opinions of minorities).
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Classical Liberalism - Wikipedia - Encyclopedia article examines the classical liberal school and notes distinctions between it and other schools of thought within liberalism such as libertarianism and New Liberalism.
Falling Down: The decline of liberalism in Central and Eastern Europe - Considers why most liberal parties in Central and Eastern Europe disappeared from the political scene after a promising beginning in the early 1990s. Published in Central Europe Review .
Meta Description: [ Why did most liberal parties in Central and Eastern Europe disappear from the political scene after a promising beginning in the early 1990s? ]
Guide to Classical Liberal Scholarship - Concise introduction to the history and theory of classical liberalism.
Liberalism - General philosophical theory outlined by Gerald F. Gaus in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Liberalism - Wikipedia - Encyclopedia article outlining the history of the ideology and explaining different forms of liberalism.
Liberalism Under the Microscope - Michael Cain considers three volumes of essays on liberal economic and political thought in Central Europe.
Liberals and Libertarians - Points out similarities between the issue positions of U.S. left-liberals and libertarians. Also gives quotes, reading list, and related links.
Meta Description: [ Explores a new political paradigm based on caring about people yet also based on sound economics and individual responsibility. ]
The Demonisation of Market Liberalism - Speech by Samuel Brittan to the EU Seminar on Europe in 21st Century (April 14 2000). Brittan is a leading economic commentator and Financial Times columnist.
Meta Description: [ Samuel Brittan - a collection of the writings of the leading economic commentator and Financial Times columnist ]
The Two Wings of Liberalism - Terrence Cook compares right liberalism and left liberalism in chart form.
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