O liberalism is political-economic doctrine and a doctrinal system that is characterized by its attitude of opening and tolerance at various levels. According to this doctrine, the general interest requires respect for the civil, economic freedom and of the consciousness of citizens.
Liberalism emerged at the time of the Enlightenment against the absolutist tendency and indicates that human reason and inalienable law to action and self-fulfillment, free and without limits, are the best way to satisfy the desires and needs of the humanity. This optimism of reason demanded not only freedom of thought but also political and economic freedom.
See more about the meaning of enlightenment.
Liberalism believed in the progress of humanity based on the free competition of social forces and was against the accusations of the authorities (religious or government) on the conduct of the individual, both in the ideological and material fields, due to their basic distrust of all kinds of obligations (individual and collective).
At its origin, liberalism defended not only individual freedoms but also those of peoples, and even collaborated with the new national liberation movements that emerged during the 19th century, both in Europe and in the overseas territories (especially in America Latin).
In the political sphere, liberalism took its first steps with the French and American revolutions; human rights then constituted his first act of political faith.
Liberalism was the political ideology of the (liberal) bourgeoisie, which, supported by this ideology, managed to gain a position predominant during the 19th century and until World War I, when it became the dominant political force in most of the world. western.
The principle of freedom in economic life, proclaimed by liberalism, first developed under conditions of great social inequalities (such as a consequence of the failed liberation of the peasantry in Europe, Napoleonic wars and rapid population growth), and subsequently had a strong reaction. through socialist and communist doctrines, whose movements became opponents of liberalism much stronger than conservative currents and traditional ones.
The failure of liberalism in the face of the great political and social problems that arose in central Europe after World War I resulted in Germany, Italy and other countries plunged into deep and prolonged crises, which contributed to the flowering of totalitarian systems (fascism, national socialism, falangism, etc.).
After World War II and in the face of other movements with a Christian Democrat or social-democratic, liberalism resurfaced, intending to constitute again an option in the political and economic.
See also:meaning of laissez-faire.
economic liberalism
From an economic point of view, liberalism comes from the Physiocrats, from A. Smith and the theory of free trade (free trade, developed by them). Liberalism was closely related to the capitalism and it was the basis of nineteenth-century industrial economic development, especially England's worldwide economic expansion.
Learn more about economic liberalism.
political liberalism
Political liberalism implied the restriction of state power, not allowing the state to interfere with some fundamental rights such as the right to life, happiness and freedom.
social liberalism
The purpose of social liberalism is to defend the human rights and civil liberties of citizens against possible acts of State oppression. However, social liberalism goes beyond this, but indicates that the State must provide citizens with opportunities in the economic, health, education, etc. context.
See too:
- liberal state
- law of supply and demand
