Lesson Four: Responses to the Conditions Created by Classical Liberalism

4. Conclusion

Modern Liberalism

Modern liberalism grew out of the necessity of extending rights and freedoms, including economic equality, to all members of society-the common good. Modern liberalism, while still keeping the individual rights and freedoms of classical liberalism, includes a greater role for government in society. Under modern liberalism, governments intervene in society by allowing labour unions, extending voting rights to women and other groups, and developing social programs. Social programs may include such benefits as public education, unemployment insurance, public health care, old-age pensions, maternity leaves, and social assistance.

The evolution of classical liberalism into modern liberalism allowed for liberal democracies in the late 1800s and early 1900s to begin some government social programs.

Comparison of Classical Liberalism and Modern Liberalism

Classical Liberalism	Modern Liberalism
interested in promoting the interests of individuals	interested in promoting the interests of the group
maximum rights and freedoms for individuals	freedoms and rights given to people as long as the group is promoted
government rules and regulations kept to a minimum	government expected to intervene to ensure the majority of people are cared for

Because modern liberalism has some values associated with collectivism, it moves to the left on the political and economic spectrums. On the other hand, because classical liberalism has only individualist values, it is now on the right wing of political and economic spectrums.