Liberalism agreement between branches

Paine quote on the state

“The state is a necessary evil.”

Madison quote on limited government

“Government should be limited through checks and balances.”

Locke quote on economy and government

“Government has no other end but the preservation of property.”

Mill quote on economy

“Laissez-faire should be the general practice.”

Rawls quote on economy

“All social values are to be distributed equally”

Wollstonecraft quote on economy

“It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world.”

Locke quote on equality

“Men being by nature all free, equal and independent.”

Mill quote on equality

“The legal subordination of one sex to another is wrong.”

Rawls quote on equality + equality of opportunity

“Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberties”

Wollstonecraft quote on equality

“Virtue can only flourish among equals.”

Classical liberal view on Economy

Laissez-faire capitalism

Modern liberal view on Economy

Keynesian capitalism — the state should manage and regulate market forces to prevent injustice and promote equality of opportunity.

Classical liberal view on State Intervention

The state is a "necessary evil" — intervention should be minimal, restricted to protecting individuals from harm and enforcing contracts.

Modern liberal view on State Intervention

The enabling state

Classical liberal view on Welfare

Opposed to state welfare — dependency undermines self-reliance and individual responsibility.

Modern liberal view on Welfare

poverty and disadvantage are structural barriers to freedom, not personal failures.

All liberals view on Human Nature

Optimistic, rational and capable of self improvement

Classical liberal view on Individualism

Egotistical individualism, self seeking, self reliant

Modern liberal view on Individualism

Developmental individualism, people flourish when helped

All liberals view on Tolerance

Both branches insist on tolerance of minorities and diverse viewpoints as a core liberal value; no lifestyle or belief should be suppressed unless it harms others.

Classical liberal view on Freedom

Negative freedom, freedom from interference by the state or other

Modern liberal view on Freedom

Positive freedom — true freedom requires the removal of social and economic obstacles; the state must actively enable individuals to develop their potential.

All liberals view on Rule of Law

applied to gov through contitution, applied to people by judiciary

All liberals view on Society

Society is a voluntary association of rational individuals formed to protect rights — it exists to serve the individual, not the other way around.

Classical liberal view on Rationalism

rational self-interest, left free from interference, produces the best social outcomes.

Modern liberal view on Rationalism

Reason must be supported by education and opportunity

Classical liberal view on Equality

Formal equality equal rights before the law

Modern liberal view on Equality

Substantive equality — formal equality is not enough

Classical liberal view on Democracy

Representative democracy with reservations, concerns about tyranny of majority, mill said educated should vote

Modern liberal view on Democracy

Full representative democracy, every individual should have an equal vote

Classical liberal view on Meritocracy

Strict meritocracy based on formal equality — individuals succeed through ability and effort alone; the state should not interfere with natural outcomes.

Modern liberal view on Meritocracy

equality of opportunity needed

All liberals view on Role of State

Both branches agree the state's power must be limited by constitutionalism and separation of powers