To what extent do the similarities between Classical Liberals and Modern Liberals outweigh the differences

Authors Avatar by patssoxceltics (student)

To what extent do the similarities between classical liberalism and modern liberalism outweigh the differences?   /45

Classical and Modern Liberalism can be said to be two very similar ideologies working for the same end result (essentially Liberty) but are slightly different due to the point in history in which they were created. Primarily, Adam Smith saw that mercantilism (government control of foreign trade) was the enemy of human liberty, therefore free trade and capitalism is the best way to achieve economic liberty, and John Maynard Keynes, writing in the early twentieth Century, found that in fact monopolies and the inherent inequality of rampant capitalism was the enemy of human liberty. However, overall the similarities do not outweigh the differences. Classical liberals, such as John Locke, advocated the principles of individualism, liberty, justice, and equality. Modern liberals ostensibly support the same principles, but attach a different meaning to these terms (essentially contested concepts). Therefore, when the differences in the meanings attached to these terms are measured, one finds that the modern liberal definitions directly conflict with those of the classical liberals.

Join now!

One major example of this is the difference in beliefs on Liberty. Classical liberals understand liberty to be the absence of physical interference by others upon one's person and estate (negative liberty). Classical Liberals believe that this is achieved through limiting government influence over the lives of individuals, and keeping taxation low, the individual earned the money and is therefore entitled to all of it (or as close to all of it as possible). Modern liberals regard this definition pejoratively as ‘negative liberty’ and argue that it is not enough, as it only stops others from interfering with you. ...

This is a preview of the whole essay