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Rise of Classical Liberalism SOCIAL 30-2 Liberalism The word liberal comes from the Latin liber, meaning free. Liberty = Freedom Liberalism has been applied to those who favour the reform of government Liberalism is associated with being open-minded and supporting freedom of speech and freedom within actions Seeds of Liberalism: Ancient Athenian Democracy Assuming that liberalism is a belief in a democratic process, then we can begin with Athens Athens followed a form of democracy (a direct democracy) However only 12% of the population could vote Women, slaves, and foreigners were not eligible to vote This system of government survived until 300 BC Not quite liberalism as we know it… but it was a start Historical development of ideas and events that combined to form classical liberalism. Renaissance and Reformation Renaissance: Rebirth of classical Greek and Roman thinking Awareness of individualism Growth of Secularism Humanism Reformation: Faith in the rationality of the individual and not in the hierarchy within the Roman Catholic Church Europe after the Reformation Humanism Humanism: Ideology that developed an interpretation of history and beliefs about human nature, the structure of society, all based on reason rather than religion Humanists sought meaning and purpose in love, beauty, art, and the development of self The Age of Enlightenment • Enlightenment thinkers believed in ideas that could lead to freer and tolerant societies. • These ideas were not widely accepted because they challenged the established foundations of society. Enlightenment Thinkers: John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau Mill, Adam Smith, Charles de Secondat baron de Montesquieu Thomas Hobbes Was concerned with the problems of social and political order: how human beings could live together in peace and avoid the danger and fear of civil conflict IMPORTANT: His ideas are born out of the horrors of civil war and conflict!!! Hence a reason why he supported a strong central authority. As a result of the civil war he saw human beings as inherently selfish, and if left unchecked this selfishness would result in chaos and harm to everyone. Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Hobbes's goal was the security of all individuals, which could be achieved if they gave up their individual sovereignty – the Leviathan The Leviathan could only justify its power if it kept its subjects safe – again the focus is back on the worth of the individual. Contribution to Classical Liberalism: Supported the idea that individuals should be free, but this could only happen if individuals are safe and secure; therefore, they must give up their political rights in exchange for safety. Believed in the concept of a Social Contract Hobbes: Main Ideas Main Ideas People are by nature selfish. In their natural state, people compete for everything, leading to war and conflict, so people agree to a social contract in which they give up their natural rights for the sake of their own security. While there may be abuse of government power, that is the price of peace. A strong central government is needed to maintain order. The "state" (Leviathan) is an artificial being made up of men for their security. John Locke John Locke, an English philosopher was the first to argue that individuals had innate rights of life, liberty and property Private property was important Believed in a Social Contract If the Contract was broken the people have the right to rebel Consent of the governed (government accountable to the people) John Locke The purpose of government is basically to protect the people in their ‘life, health, liberty, or possessions’. Locke believed that government should be directly accountable to the people. Locke believed that people should have a ‘private sphere’ that the government could not interfere with – religion in particular – the state should be tolerant of all religions “Reason must be our last judge and guide in everything.” Locke believed that individuals had the right to use their reason and logic to make their own decisions. Locke: Main Ideas All people have natural rights to life, liberty, and ownership of property. People have a "social contract" or unwritten agreement to entrust power in a government to protect these natural rights. If a government fails to protect these rights, it loses its right to rule and citizens are entitled to set up a new government. Charles de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu Montesquieu was critical of the Church and the divine right of kings Montesquieu believed in the worth of the individual, the equality of individuals, and the accountability of government. Supported the separation of powers – the government divided in to three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial Three branches were dependent of each other and could not exceed the power of the other two branches People need to be involved in government – need for a democracy Citizen must participate in and be aware of the law and workings of government. “The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy (rule by a few) is not so dangerous to public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.” Montesquieu: Main ideas He advocated an end to the class system that existed in France (nobility, clergy, and the "common man"). Classification of systems of government (such as monarchies, in which power comes from honour; republics, in which power comes from virtue; and dictatorships (which he called "despotisms"), in which power comes from fear) The separation of political power (executive, legislative, judiciary) John Stuart Mill John Start Mill put together many themes on liberalism in his book entitled ‘On Liberty’. Interested in the protection of individual freedom and the promotion of individual decision making as the core of societal institutions. “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” A citizen should be able to act as he or she wants, so long as his or her actions would not harm others. Mill: Main ideas Everyone has the right to act as they please so long as they do not harm others (the harm principle). Free speech An end to slavery Equal rights for women Against laws that restrict freedom because of what might happen Jean Jacques Rousseau People are naturally good but have been corrupted by society. People are naturally free and equal. Believed in direct democracy and the general will of the people The ownership of private property leads to jealousy and crime. Classical Liberalism Individual Rights Humans are Reasonable/Rational Economic Freedom Private Property Protection of civil liberties (by the government) Limits on the government Aboriginal Contributions to Liberalism 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 15th 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/html/g reatlaw.html Take a look at the original document.