RELIGST 1B06 Lecture Notes - Classical Liberalism, Political Liberalism, Negative Liberty
11 Apr 2014
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Liberalism concerned above all with freedom and how to secure it. Important not to equate liberalism the theory with the liberal party not every policy pursued by the liberals would be deemed as liberal by all liberals (or even by all liberals) Important to note that there are variations in liberal theory. Each variant has its own justification, institutional requirements, and influence on history. Political liberalism: classical liberalism 17th - 19th century. For classical liberalism legitimate political rule starts from the principle of equality. This did not mean that everyone should have equal political rights (right to vote, hold office), but that the rule of law should apply equally to everyone. Government might be required, rule might be necessary, but for a specific purpose: protect freedom, meaning life, liberty, possessions . Provide public goods goods that are in both the individual and collective interest but that will not be spontaneously provided by society because of the.
