Quote: "Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality, right to private property and equality before the law."
A political ideology that emphasizes individual rights, freedom, and equality under the law.
Individualism: The belief that individual rights and freedoms should be prioritized over the collective interests of society.
Classical liberalism: A political philosophy that emphasizes individual rights, free markets, limited government, and the rule of law.
Social liberalism: A political philosophy that emphasizes social justice, equality, and government intervention to address economic inequality and social problems.
Libertarianism: A political philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government intervention in both economic and social matters.
Modern liberalism: A political philosophy that combines elements of classical liberalism and social liberalism, emphasizing individual rights and freedoms while also recognizing the need for government intervention in certain areas.
Utilitarianism: A moral and ethical philosophy that emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Individual rights: The idea that individuals have certain inherent rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, that should be protected by government.
Free markets: An economic system in which prices and production are determined by the interactions of buyers and sellers, with minimal government intervention.
Capitalism: An economic system in which industry and trade are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.
Limited government: The belief that government intervention in the economy and society should be minimal, in order to preserve individual freedom and limit government power.
Rule of law: The principle that everyone, including government officials, is subject to the law.
Economic inequality: The unequal distribution of wealth and income across society.
Social justice: The concept of a fair and just society in which everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources.
Civil liberties: Freedoms, such as freedom of speech and religion, that are protected from government interference.
Property rights: The right to own and use property, which is protected by law.
The role of government: The debate over the proper role of government in society, including its role in regulating the economy, providing social services, and protecting individual rights.
Democracy: A system of government in which the people have the power to choose their leaders and make decisions through a democratic process.
Political liberalism: A political philosophy that emphasizes limited government, individual rights, and the rule of law, while also recognizing the need for some government intervention to address social and economic issues.
Republicanism: A political philosophy that emphasizes the common good over individual rights, and emphasizes the importance of civic virtues such as patriotism and duty.
Liberty and equality: The tension between individual liberty and social equality, and the ways in which these concepts can be balanced in a successful society.
Classical liberalism: This is the original form of liberal thought that emerged in the 18th century. It advocates for individual liberty, limited government, free markets and private property rights.
Economic liberalism: This school of thought focuses on the role of the market in ensuring economic liberalism. It emphasizes the importance of free trade, open markets, and limited government intervention in the economy.
Social liberalism: This type of liberalism aims to promote the welfare of all individuals by using government intervention and other means to eliminate poverty, inequality, and social injustice.
Neo-liberalism: This is a more contemporary form of liberalism that emphasizes the importance of markets and deregulation in achieving economic growth and individual freedom. It is often associated with the policies of Thatcherism.
Progressive liberalism: This type of liberalism goes beyond the individualism promoted by classical liberalism and emphasizes the importance of social justice, diversity, and minority rights.
Left-libertarianism: This is a blend of liberal and socialist thought which views individual liberty, decentralization, and markets as the solution to issues of social justice.
Libertarianism: This philosophy emphasizes the importance of individual liberty, personal responsibility, free markets, and limited government intervention in all areas of life.
Communitarianism: This philosophy emphasizes the importance of the community in shaping the values that underpin society. This type of liberalism prioritizes the collective over individual freedoms.
Green liberalism: This type of liberalism advocates for the importance of environmental protection, sustainable living, and social justice. It emphasizes the need for government regulation to limit the impact of human activities on the environment.
Feminist liberalism: This philosophy recognizes the importance of gender equality and the need to eliminate all forms of gender discrimination. This type of liberalism emphasizes the importance of reproductive choices, sexual freedom, and economic independence for women.
Quote: "Liberals espouse various views depending on their understanding of these principles but generally support private property, market economies, individual rights (including civil rights and human rights), liberal democracy, secularism, rule of law, economic and political freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion, constitutional government and privacy rights."
Quote: "Liberalism became a distinct movement in the Age of Enlightenment, gaining popularity among Western philosophers and economists."
Quote: "Liberalism sought to replace the norms of hereditary privilege, state religion, absolute monarchy, the divine right of kings, and traditional conservatism with representative democracy, rule of law, and equality under the law."
Quote: "Philosopher John Locke is often credited with founding liberalism as a distinct tradition based on the social contract, arguing that each man has a natural right to life, liberty and property, and governments must not violate these rights."
Quote: "Leaders in the British Glorious Revolution of 1688, the American Revolution of 1776, and the French Revolution of 1789 used liberal philosophy to justify the armed overthrow of royal sovereignty."
Quote: "The 19th century saw liberal governments established in Europe and South America, and it was well-established alongside republicanism in the United States."
Quote: "During the 19th and early 20th centuries, liberalism in the Ottoman Empire and the Middle East influenced periods of reform, such as the Tanzimat and Al-Nahda, and the rise of constitutionalism, nationalism, and secularism."
Quote: "Before 1920, the main ideological opponents of liberalism were communism, conservatism, and socialism; liberalism then faced major ideological challenges from fascism and Marxism–Leninism as new opponents."
Quote: "During the 20th century, liberal ideas spread even further, especially in Western Europe, as liberal democracies found themselves as the winners in both world wars and the Cold War."
Quote: "Liberals sought and established a constitutional order that prized important individual freedoms, such as freedom of speech and freedom of association; an independent judiciary and public trial by jury; and the abolition of aristocratic privileges."
Quote: "Liberals have advocated gender and racial equality in their drive to promote civil rights."
Quote: "Global civil rights movements in the 20th century achieved several objectives towards both [gender and racial equality] goals."
Quote: "In Europe and North America, the establishment of social liberalism (often called simply liberalism in the United States) became a key component in expanding the welfare state."
Quote: "Today, liberal parties continue to wield power and influence throughout the world."
Quote: "The fundamental elements of contemporary society have liberal roots."
Quote: "The early waves of liberalism popularized economic individualism."
Quote: "Expanding constitutional government and parliamentary authority."
Quote: "Later waves of modern liberal thought and struggle were strongly influenced by the need to expand civil rights."
Quote: "Other goals often accepted by liberals include universal suffrage and universal access to education."