Unit 3.4 The Development of Classical Liberalism

Big Ideas:

• Appreciate the impact of citizens and citizenship of the promotion of ideological principles.
• Examine the adherence of individuals and groups to various ideologies.
• Examine the relationship between the values of liberalism and origins of liberalism.

The Development of Classical Liberalism

Like the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace, classical liberalism is based on the idea of individual freedom, provided it does not infringe on the liberty of others. This means that I am free to do as I please as long as I do not disturb my neighbour or take away the freedom of anyone else.

According to liberal thinkers, freedom and liberty are necessary for people to be able to develop all their talents. Society is free only if all people are free. As well, liberals believe that all people need to be equal before the law. It does not matter if one is rich or poor, legally everyone is to be treated the same. This was not always the case.

During the Enlightenment period in Europe in the 18th century, many questioned why a king got to rule without question (absolute monarchy). A concept called rule of law developed from this.

The basic principle of the rule of law is that no one individual is above the law. Regardless of who you are, you are responsible for your actions. No individual is greater than the law.

As individuals began to support the idea of rule of law, many began to believe they were able to govern themselves and did not need a monarch or ruler. Liberalism is a concept that came from many great thinkers. These great thinkers studied the structure of society. From that study, they decided how society could best be served. Jean Jacques Rousseau, a liberal philosopher from the Enlightenment, felt that people should be able to choose their country's leader. He felt people should enter into a social contract with society.

Classical liberalism is a political and economic term used to describe a period of time that began at the end of the 18th century (1700s) when European governments changed to interfere very little in economic decisions. Classical liberal thought developed from the values of individualism and the influential ideas of liberal-minded philosophers.

If you lived in a classical liberal world, you would have total freedom to choose how to live. You could choose what you thought your needs and wants are, and you could work your hardest to do the best you can. If everyone did this, classical liberals argued that then everyone would prosper and society would flourish.