Liberalism (John Speaking)
		Comment				MAIN PATH: Malik
		Ann				Malik

I think we have to take a stab at defining liberalism and liberal society. I sometimes wonder whether we can do that. There are so many ideas and so many political philosophers that I'm not sure how to define liberalism without being arbitrary.

But we can try to identify a core of ideas that does unite the philosophies we usually call "liberal." At any rate, here is my list of ideas that characterize liberalism:

• Liberalism understands rights as attributes of individuals.
• Liberalism defines an area of freedom for each individual. Within that area the individual is to a large degree sovereign. We might also say that this area is defined by the individual's basic rights. Freedom of belief and expression would be included in this area. Other freedoms having to do with property and travel are also typical.
• Liberalism tends to allow all individuals the same rights or area of freedom
• Liberalism tends to define society as a collection of individuals in various relationships. But the emphasis is always on the individuals as primary. The powers of groups are derived from the rights and choices of individuals in those groups. Thinking about society this way tends to loosen the control of groups over the individual.
• Liberalism tries to minimize the extent to which government defines the good or desirable life. It is especially hesitant to define goals for individuals or to allow government to define their goals.

This may not be a perfect definition. But I think it is true of all the major philosophers and philosophical ideas usually thought of as liberal. Of course, there are many variations on this philosophical theme. For example, the rights attributed to individuals and the basis of those rights will vary. As we move from the classic liberalism of the 19th century to the social or welfare liberalism of the 20th century, the rights of individuals become more substantive than the non-interference rights of the classical tradition.

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