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 labor 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.



Read "From Classical to Modern Liberalism" on pages 134-136  in your textbook, Understandings of Ideologies.  These pages will further your understanding of the responses to classical liberalism.

You should make notes, either on paper or on your computer, about what you have read. You may want to read the tutorial  How to Make Notes . When you are finished the tutorial, return here to continue this unit.

Classical liberalism evolved into modern liberalism with changes, mostly through government intervention, in the following areas:

  1. Labor Standards: Laws, such as the Factory Acts, improved working conditions providing fewer hours of work, safer and healthier workplaces, and decrease in child labor.

  2. Unions: Organizations of workers to improve working conditions and wages were allowed.

  3. Voting Rights: Suffrage (voting rights) was expanded to include men who did not own property.

  4. Protection of of Human Rights: Human rights guarantees were eventually expanded to include all citizens, regardless of race.

  5. Feminism: Through the determination of many female leaders, women fought hard to obtain equality with men, including the right to vote and protection of human rights.

  6. The Welfare State: Governments developed social welfare programs such as unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, universal health care, and public education.


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.

Watch the video below on Classic Liberalism to Modern Liberalism.