3.1.1 Dealing with Classical Liberalism


© Pyramid of Capitalist System, 1911. Nedeljkovich, Brashick and Kuharich, Published by The International Publishing Company, Cleveland OH. Image provided by IWW Literature Department, iww.org
As the 19th Century progressed, groups or collectives began to respond to what they perceived were the corrupt and abusive nature of classical liberalism. Once such collective response was the creation of unions.

Look closely at the 1911 poster entitled "The Pyramid of the Capitalist System" for a perspective on classical economic liberalism. This poster was produced by the Industrial Workers of the World, an international labour union that emerged in the United States.

  • At the top of the pyramid labelled "capitalism" is a bag of money. It is supported by a king and two well-dressed male politicians with the label "WE RULE YOU."

  • The next level of the pyramid contains three male church leaders with the slogan "WE FOOL YOU."

  • Supporting the church and political leadership is the military, labelled "WE SHOOT AT YOU."

  • Under the military is a dining table surrounded by well-dressed men and women of the upper class, with the phrase "WE EAT FOR YOU."

  • At the base, holding up the entire pyramid are the men, women, and children of the working class with the label "WE WORK FOR ALL-WE FEED ALL."
Consider this question: What would happen if the people on the bottom withdrew their support?

Review how classical liberalism emerged in Britain. It is important to understand how individualism was promoted - both politically and economically during the 19th Century. The main question that emerged was, to what extent should government be involved in the lives of its citizens? This unit explores the evolving answer to this question.


 

"Capitalism and Socialism: Crash Course World History #33": Crashcourse, You-tube

 

 


Although classical liberalism promised an ideal world based on individual rights and freedoms, it fell short in many respects. Although the economic freedom, self-interest, and competition of a capitalist economic system made many people rich, it led to the exploitation of the working poor. Only the wealthy aristocracy who inherited land had the right to vote.

A new class system based on wealth threatened to replace the previous class system that was based on inherited position and affiliations with the church. Inequality and limited rights for workers were significant problems. Despite calls for equality, women were not treated as equal to men in any respect. They had few legal rights and could not vote to change the rules. Child labour was commonplace.

In this unit, you will investigate the evolution of liberalism through a study of historical images and documents. Classical liberals argued for greater rights and freedoms for individuals, and based on a society with no representative government and an absolute monarch, granting rights to more men was considered great progress in many societies.

But what classical liberals claimed was individual rights and freedoms falls short of how modern liberal societies interpret equal rights today. The ideology still considered some groups of men and women (and immigrants) along a hierarchy, and as a result, is considered elitist (right wing) on the ideological spectrum.

Not everyone agreed that classical liberalism was the best ideology, and as a result, new ideas emerged in response to fix the problems brought on by too much individualism. 


As you read the pages that follow, including the required textbook readings, take notes about the evolution of liberalism considering the section question: 
  • How did society respond to the consequences of classical liberalism?