l T-Mobile 3:42 PM DISCUSSIONS LIBERALISM VERSUS SOCIALISM The term liberalism,
ID: 1144196 • Letter: L
Question
l T-Mobile 3:42 PM DISCUSSIONS LIBERALISM VERSUS SOCIALISM The term liberalism, when applied to governments, is very different from the term liberal in America. Where liberalism implies a limited government, here in the United States a liberal is not usually seen as supporting a smaller government. This can be very confusing. In an effort to better understand these various meanings, we need to explore the variations within liberalism itself. So who would like to explain how modern liberalism varies from classical liberalism? In addition, in what ways is classical liberalism similar to conservatism today?Explanation / Answer
In theory, the two ideologies lie at opposite ends of the political spectrum.
Classical vs. Modern Liberalism in general terms is fundamental ideology of western democratic societies.
Conservatives and liberals have different beliefs and opposing views on the structure of the society, the role of the government and, in general, on the progress of the nation. In fact, the main difference between the two lies in how much of the past or of the present should be maintained for the future.
Classic liberalism refers to the original ideas before the shift to the idea of positive freedom. Modern liberalism claims to have built on classic liberalism in the sense that it takes principles of freedom and the individividual and then gives power to the state in order to develope individividual. Modern liberals believe in social liberalism" while classic liberals believe ineconomic liberalism. the differences lie in what is the proer role of the state. Is it a tool to enable the people by social welfare programs" or is it simply existent to protect the rights of the people and stay out of the economic affairs of the individual and civil society? Modern liberalism strives to rid society of socio-economic injustices through the state. This is not to say classic liberals dont have the same desire" they just believe these injustices can be self corrected within civil society without the help of the state" if the individual so desires. This is the idea of meritocracy" is the individivial works hard they can attain that is necessary. Classic liberals believe this is due to the egoistic self-reliant nature of humans.
All the ideas of classical liberalism—property rights, consent of the governed, representation by the people, were never really disputed in America, whose regime accepts the principle of liberalism in this sense to be non-negotiable, as it is taken to represent manifestly “inalienable rights.” Old World conservatives were sometimes illiberal—which is to say liberalism wasn’t a priority for them, but they didn’t actively oppose it, as fascists like Hitler and Stalin did.
“Classical liberalism” was an ideology that was basically all about minimal government, free markets, and maximum freedom of the individual.
Today, both Democrats and Republicans want strong control over your life. They just disagree about what aspects they should control. Generally speaking, it is still true that Democrats want to control what you do with your money, while Republicans want to control what you do with your body and social life.
Neither of those views are “liberal” in the classical sense. A classical liberal would give you a right to do anything you want in your life.
But if by “liberal” you meant Democrat, and by “conservative” you meant Republican, probably the most similar characteristic is that they are both strongly authoritarian, in their own way. Conservatives, being pro-life and Liberals, being pro-choice respect an individual's personal choice.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.