A Short History of Liberalism

The Economist produces an entertaining short history of liberalism, What Have Liberals Ever Done for Us?

If liberals were true to their founding principles, I would happily join their ranks.


Note: transcript below the fold.


What have liberals ever done for us? Sure, they gave us Liberty, Metropolitan intellectuals, and soya lattes.

But where did they come from? And why has the “liberal elite” become a term of abuse? Liberalism is a worldview based on liberty and equality of opportunity. Liberals value free trade, open competition and freedom of expression.

In recent years populist movements have attacked the liberal cause. They prefer keeping jobs for their own people, shunning immigration and favoring domestic production over imported goods. [Donald Trump ]: “Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.”

Populist movements have won referendums and elections in Britain, America, Poland and Hungary, while France and Canada are holdouts for the liberal cause. [Emmanuel Macron speaking in French]: “Our task is immense, my friends!”

Populists think liberals have become too elite, removed from the concerns of ordinary people and strayed too far from their founding principles. So what were they?

[Slide title: 1. Origins of Liberalism]

Back in the 17th century elites really did rule the world. Kings and queens reigned by Divine Right. The state dictated your religion and owned your house and land.

But then along came two English philosophers: Thomas Hobbes (“The Law is the Public Conscience.”) and John Locke (“The end of Law is not to abolish or restrain but to preserve and enlarge freedom. “) Hobbes introduced the idea that people give up natural rights to freedom in exchange for security and protection. According to Locke this social contract was rooted in the duty of all individuals to respect the rights of others.

The liberals that came after Hobbes and Locke believed in equal opportunity for all….well, all white men. They said people should be allowed to keep the fruits of their labor and have the freedom to fulfill their dreams. Instead of going to war to gain wealth countries should embrace trade and treaties. This new philosophy will be put into practice most diligently on the other side of the Atlantic.

[Slide title: 2. Revolution]

America was found on the principles of equality and individual liberty. It became the world's first liberal society. [Thomas Jefferson:] “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.”

Soon after, the French overthrew their monarchy and replaced it with a liberal people's republic. But it was the Industrial Revolution that galvanized liberalism as the world's dominant political theory. A seismic shift toward self-made wealth replaced the inherited power of the aristocracy.

Liberalism has underpinned Western democracy ever since, but it evolved during the 20th century. Across the world liberalism has made more room for government involvement, providing education, welfare, and regulating markets.

But in America the word has been hijacked. Liberalism is now used as an insult to describe left-wing Progressives who support political correctness and bossy governments. Populists argue that today’s liberal elites are just as powerful and aloof as the old aristocracy.

Rampant commercialization and globalization have left many people behind. We've been here before.

[Slide title: 3. A Lesson from the Recent Past]

In late 19th century America so-called “robber barons” formed vast empires and accumulated massive wealth. Politics became corrupted, giving a sense that society was dividing into winners and losers.

But a succession of reformers like President Theodore Roosevelt took on these business aristocracies and cleaned up government. All this helped to enhance social mobility. Just as liberalism reformed itself then, it must reform itself again.

The rise of populism is not the death knell for the liberal project. It's a call to action.

Up Your Game Or Else!