The Standard Liberal Discourse and the Rights of Man

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Standard Liberal Discourse
Capitalism and Enlightenment
Andrew Austin ? 2009
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What is liberalism?
A political philosophy and ideology
emphasizing the civil and political rights of
individuals. A progressive force liberating
individual desires from the constraints of the
traditional social order. Core Values The
individual should be granted a substantial degree
of personal autonomy. The ability of the state
to intrude upon the private realm should be
sharply restricted.
Hallmarks of liberalism separation of church and
state freedom of speech/expression freedom of
association freedom of occupation separation of
democracy and property.
Philosophythe love and pursuit of wisdom that
covers both intellectual (logic) and moral
matters. Philosophers critically analyze
fundamental assumptions or beliefs. Ideologya
set of attitudes, beliefs, and values, comprising
a world view, that justifies and legitimates a
particular social order by providing a coherent
and unified cognitive structure that obscures
contradictions or incongruous facts of existence.
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Core assumptions
Liberty and equality incompatible Substantive
(or material) equality constrains ability of
individuals to accumulate property requires
excessive government intervention in private
lives. Society in opposition to the individual
Collective existence is inherently limiting to
individual autonomy. Government is a necessary
evil to be limited. Individuals are inherently
rational entities Individuals are calculators.
They seek pleasure and avoid pain, seeking profit
with as little effort as possible.
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Negative freedom
Freedom is understood in terms of constraint or
restriction Absence of interference or coercion
constitutes freedom. Free will. Humans are agents
causing action. Agents are responsible for their
actions. Individuals are free to do whatever they
wish as long as their actions do not interfere
with the rights of others compromise
social-political order that makes liberty
possible. Does freedom require choice?
Note Negative does not mean undesirable in
usage, although people may find this type of
freedom undesirable. Rather, negative concerns
the type of logic used. Instead of describing
what the content of freedom, it defines freedom
indirectly by explaining control.
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Brief history
Emerged 16th century Europe after the Protestant
Reformation and during capitalisms consolidation
(1450-1620). A response to religious plurality?
A solution to material inequality? Early
advocates John Locke, Immanuel Kant, J.S. Mill,
J. J. Rousseau, and T.H. Green
Recent advocates Friedrich Hayek, Robert Nozick,
John Rawls, and Ronald Dworkin, and Isaiah Berlin.
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Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan (1651)
Under conditions of anarchy, humans are born
equal. Cardinal virtues of anarchy force and
fraud. No property. No justice. Only war. Humans
share inborn drive to preserve personal
liberty dominate others. Order needed for
industry and civilization. Government constituted
to make order. Human nature requires
authoritarian political orders.
John Locke, Two Treatises of Government (1690)
Under conditions of anarchy, humans are born
equal. The state of nature is a virtuous anarchy.
People obey reason. Natural law the labor theory
of value and the right to property. Problem It
is left to property owner to defend
property. Solution Government is constituted to
protect property. The Republiclaissez-faire
political arrangements.
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Modern liberalism (The Ideal Versions)
Two major divisions Libertarian (Hayek) Other
labels classical liberal and
conservative. Minimal interference by
government. Often mixes social conservatism
(hierarchy and values). Formal equalityequality
before the law.
Ronald Reagan
Franklin Roosevelt
Welfare Liberal (Rawls) Other labels liberal
egalitarian and new liberal. State
intervention to ameliorate excesses of
capitalism. Limited substantive equality, mostly
access/opportunity. Equality is not natural, but
an ethical goal.
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Each type of liberalism advocates three principles
Private property The state protects the freedom
of individuals to accumulate and dispose of
property. Liberalism stands in opposition to
socialism, which advocates worker
ownership/control over wealth producing property
(capital). Limited government State and law
exist to regulate interaction between private
individuals in pursuit of wealth. State and law
are neutral and objective (rule of law). Clear
separation of private and public sphere The
boundaries between civil society and political
society, although shifting, are in principle
maintained.