POLSCI 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Individualism, Political Liberalism, Free Rider Problem
12 Oct 2018
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Liberalism concerned above all else with freedom and how to secure it. Protecting individual freedom is the key justification for the state. Note: individual freedom and democracy can conflict with each other. It is important to avoid equating liberalism the theory with the liberal. Party not every policy pursued by the liberal party would be deemed liberal by all liberals (or even by all liberals) It is also important to note that there are variations in liberal theory. Each variant has its own justification, institutional requirements, and influence on history. For classical liberalism, the purpose of the state is to protect individual freedom. Government might be required, rule might be necessary, but only for specific purposes: to protect freedom, meaning life, liberty, possessions . Adam smith the appropriate domain of government is limited to the following: Protect members of society from each other (enforce the law)
