HIST 12B Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Unfree Labour, Limited Government, Classical Liberalism
Document Summary
The tradition of thought whose central concern is the liberty of the individual. Freedom of thought and freedom of speech. Consent by the governed as a condition of the legitimacy of political power. The application of the rule of law. A market economy (end the barriers to form of trade in some sense) A transparent and democratic system of government. Maintains only real freedom is freedom from coercion. State intervention in the economy regarded as coercive power that restricts individual economic freedom. Smaller state so they can"t regulate the economy. Laissez-faire economic policy (minimal economic intervention and taxation by the state beyond what is necessary to maintain individual liberty, peace, security and property rights) 19th century: emphasized free trade and limited government. Free trade: nations and individuals being able to trade without taxes or tariffs being imposed (unacknowledged) foundations of modern liberalism. Based on a definition of liberty that places property before human freedom (and human needs)
