Types of Liberalism: Early Classical

When does early classical liberalism come from?

Late C17th → C18th

What are the distinctive features of early classical liberalism?

• Revolutionary potential

• Negative liberty

• Minimal state

• Laissez-faire capitalism

In what ways were liberal ideas revolutionary / radical?

• Idea that the state should be driven by the people challenged monarchism and ‘divine right of kings’

• Association with the 1688 Glorious Revolution and 1787 American Constitution

• Rationalism challenged idea of the ‘will of God’

• New ideas of gender roles

What did Mary Woolstonecraft argue about women in the 18th century?

• Affront to reason and individual liberty of half the adult population

• Women viewed as emotional creatures, only suited to marriage and motherhood

• Individual women and men require a formal education to harness their innate powers of reason

What did Woolstonecraft say that society was doing to women in the 18th century?

‘keep women in a sate of listless activity and stupid acquiescence’

What is meant by negative liberty?

Freedom is the absence of restraint

→ Attempts to interfere with individuals are considered an infringement

How can individuals use the principle of negative liberty?

They should assume that they were naturally free until something or someone restrained their actions

→ e.g the state

How does the idea of negative liberty influence the state?

Belief in a minimal state

What is meant by a night-watchman state?

• The state should only impose its power on the basis of the harm principle

• Any restrictions on liberty should be justifiable

→ Ensures the widest possible freedom

What is laissez-faire capitalism?

When the government has little or no influence over the economy

Why do liberals support laissez-faire capitalism?

• Support for negative liberty and minimal government

• Allows for individuals to acquire wealth that would ‘trickle down’ and benefit the rest of the population

What did Adam Smith advocate for in order to achieve laissez-faire capitalism?

• End of tariffs and duties that had ‘protected’ domestic producers

• Spread of free trade between nation-states and their commerical classes