Welcome to the Liberalism page ring!

Liberalism is all about equality, democracy, the freedom of an individual and the protection of human rights. It was developed during the age of Enlightenment around the 17th and 18th centuries (though the definition of 'protection of human rights' is vastly different in the 17-18th centuries compared to the 21 century) and allows for various cultures, opinions, ideologies and more to coexist in the same society.

Classical Liberalism

Classical Liberalism is the original liberalism that emerged during the Enlightment period where Europeans started to think for themselves instead of following tradition. Classical liberalism kickstarted the idea, later built onto by later forms of liberalism, that people should have personal freedom and liberty as long as they don't harm others.

Free Market

The government should interfere as little as possible and should be restricted to protecting the rights of man through court, police and defense but leave the people alone on the areas of economics or personal affairs (for example enforcing a state religion/ideology). Scottish philosopher Adam Smith wrote in the Wealth of Nations that having this hands-off approach to economy leads for not only the personal benefits of an individual but also for greater society.

He spoke of a metaphorical 'invisible hand', which guides self-correcting behaviour. For example, you might see two bakers selling bread, one higher, one lower. You, of course, buy the lower-priced bread. That baker selling the bread for the higher price might see this and think "I'm selling this loaf of bread for higher, so I should try to lower my price to compete with the other baker." Thus resulting in lower prices, thus resulting in more competition, thus resulting in a functional economy. What caused this thinking is the so-called invisible hand, nudging the baker to adapt to basically stay in business.

Total Equality

Enlightened liberal thinkers thought that all laws should apply equally (which in their time didin't apply as nobles were oftentimes exempt from laws or were punished less than ordinary citizens/peasants) and that all individuals that certain rights, human rights, that can't be taken away. Think the right to live, to be free and to own property. These rights should be protected by the government.