LIBERALISM

Summary of Andrew Heywoods Discussion on

Ideologies 5th Edition
CONTENTS I- Definition
II- Brief discussion of its
Origin and
Development
III- Central Values
underlying the Ideology
IV- Variants of the
Ideology
WHAT IS An ideology which
LIBERALISM?
central theme is about:
commitment to the
individual, desire to
construct a society
where people can
satisfy their interests
and achieve fulfillment.
Liberalism forwards the
idea that individuals are
naturally endowed with
reason and as such, be
allowed to enjoy the
maximum possible
1 It gives emphasis on merit.
This means that though
individuals have equal
legal and political rights,
they must be rewarded
according to their talents
and willingness to work.
It revolves around the twin
principles of
constitutionalism and
consent.
HOW DID Its origins can be
LIBERALISM
COME ABOUT?
traced back to early
agricultural societies
when people started
living in settled
communities and were
forced to find ways of
trading and living with
strangers (Seabright,
2004)
Nonetheless, as a
developed ideology; it
can be traced back to
the breakdown of
 The middle class gave
rise to a capitalist
society and a market
economy.
This change exposed
people to an array of
choices and for the first
time it created a sense
on individualism among
the people
This gradually evolved
into radical demands for
change from the people
to abolish traditional
WHAT ARE ITS Individualism:
CENTRAL
VALUES? Is the belief in the supreme
importance of the individual
over any social group or
collective body.
Society should be constructed so
as to benefit the individual
giving moral priority in individual
rights, needs and interests.
Individuals should be seen as
end in themselves.
 Freedom:
Is a consequence of the supreme
belief in the individual. For
Liberals, this is the supreme
political value and in many ways
the unifying principle.
For Liberals, freedom is the only
state where individuals can fully
develop their skills and
potentials.
 However, Liberals do not
believe in absolute
freedom. John Stuart Mill
argued in On Liberty
that The only purpose for
which power can rightfully
be exercised over any
member of a civilized
community, against his
will, is to prevent harm to
others.
 Reason
Came about from the desire of
the enlightenment to Release
humankind from its bondage to
superstition and ignorance
Liberals believe that reason is
innate but not to the extent
that it is infallible. However, it
opposes restrictive paternalism
that prevents individuals from
developing.
It gives emphasis on the
importance of discussion,
debate and argument.
 Justice
Denotes a particular kind of
moral judgement about the
distribution of rewards and
punishments.
Human beings are seen as
born equal and is of equal
moral worth.
Liberalism vigorously
disapproves of a system of
privileges that are enjoyed by
a few and denied to everyone
else.
For Liberals, arbitrary assignment
of privileges through irrational
standards like gender, race, color,
creed, religion or social
background is an injustice.
They believe in equality of
opportunity, that every individual
must be given the chance to rise
and fall within the ranks of
society paving the way for the
system of meritocracy. For them,
merit is the only just basis for
granting more privileges.
 Toleration
The Liberal social ethic is
characterized by a
willingness to accept and in
some cases celebrate moral,
cultural and political
diversity.
Is rooted on the assumption
that humans and separate
and unique creatures, since
toleration is a guarantee of
personal autonomy.
Toleration is necessary to
 Constitutionalism
Although liberals agree
about the need of a
Government, they are
also aware of the
dangers it poses
against freedom.
For Liberals, power
naturally corrupts and if
it isnt regulated or
checked, it can be
abused.
Power tends to corrupt
and absolute power
 Liberals believe in a
limited government
and this can only be
achieved through
constitutional
constraints that ensure:
The Rights of the
Governed
The Rule of Law
Checks and Balances
 Classical Liberalism
VARIANTS OF Earliest Liberal tradition
LIBERALISM which developed in the
transition from feudalism to
capitalism and reached its
height in the industrial era.
It is characterized by:
First, a belief in egoistical
individualism; that human
beings are rationally self
interested and capable of
self reliance.
Second, a belief in negative
freedom or absence of
external restraints.
Third, that the state is a
necessary evil (Thomas
Paine). They believe that
there must be minimal
state intervention.
Fourth, it is characterized
by a broadly positive view
of civil society.
 Economic Liberalism
Came about from the
economic theories of political
economists Adam Smith and
David Ricardo.
It applied the classical liberal
belief of limited state to the
handling of the economy. For
economic liberals, the
economy will flourish if left
free from state intervention.
Economic liberalism is an anti-
thesis to Mercantilism.
 Neoliberalism
A revival of classical
liberalism that occurred in
the 1970s.
A notch higher than
Economic Liberalism for it
espouses Market
Fundamentalism which sees
the market as morally and
practically superior to the
Government in terms of
political control.
It is a response to the
increasing popularity of
economic ideologies that
expand the role of the
 Modern Liberalism
Dubbed as the 20th century
liberalism. It is a response to
the growing problems
brought about by
unrestrained economic
individualism which led to
the disadvantage of the
working class, spread of
poverty, disease and
ignorance.
For modern liberals, the
minimal state approach is
incapable of rectifying the
injustices of civil society, as
a consequence, they vouch
 Modern Liberals place
value on affirmative
action and positive
freedom contrast to
the Classical Liberals
who value strict
meritocracy and
negative freedom.
Modern Liberals
believe that there must
be a balance between
the state and the
market. However, they
stay true to the liberal