The Origin The Origin & Growth & Growth

of of Liberalism: Liberalism:

Pg. 100Pg. 100

Paul Gauguin’s art sought to Paul Gauguin’s art sought to answer the age old questions answer the age old questions

of:of:• Where do we come from? Where do we come from? – Exploring the emergence of classical liberal Exploring the emergence of classical liberal

ideology during the Enlightenment and the Age ideology during the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason.of Reason.

• What are we? What are we? – Exploring the reaction of people within a society Exploring the reaction of people within a society

to the evolution of classical liberal ideology.to the evolution of classical liberal ideology.• Where are we going? Where are we going?

– Investigating the responses to economic and Investigating the responses to economic and social conditions that arose based on the social conditions that arose based on the evolution of classical liberalism.evolution of classical liberalism.

• These are three central questions to Social Studies These are three central questions to Social Studies – they reflect the characteristics of ideology!– they reflect the characteristics of ideology!

Okay… time to take a step back and Okay… time to take a step back and enter a world of history!enter a world of history!

As a response to the factors As a response to the factors that cried for changes to the that cried for changes to the

old order, great thinkers old order, great thinkers expounded a new way of expounded a new way of

organizing society based on an organizing society based on an ideology known as ideology known as

“Liberalism”.“Liberalism”.

What Are We What Are We Learning Today?Learning Today?

2.5 the relationship between 2.5 the relationship between the principles of liberalism and the principles of liberalism and

the origins of classical liberal the origins of classical liberal thought.thought.

Classical Liberalism Embraces Classical Liberalism Embraces IndividualismIndividualism

• Classical liberalism is an ideology that Classical liberalism is an ideology that embraces the principles of individualism:embraces the principles of individualism:– Rule of lawRule of law– Individual rights and freedomsIndividual rights and freedoms– Private propertyPrivate property– Economic freedomEconomic freedom– Self-interestSelf-interest– Competition Competition – www.learnliberty.org/content/what-classical-liberalism (7:09) www.learnliberty.org/content/what-classical-liberalism (7:09) - - Take Take

Notes Notes – Dr. Nigel Ashford– Dr. Nigel Ashford

LiberalismLiberalism

• The word liberal comes from the Latin The word liberal comes from the Latin liberliber, meaning free., meaning free.

• The word was first used in Spain during The word was first used in Spain during the Napoleonic Wars.the Napoleonic Wars.

• Liberalism has been applied to those who Liberalism has been applied to those who favour the reform (change) of gov’t.favour the reform (change) of gov’t.

• It stresses the importance of human It stresses the importance of human rationality.rationality.

Origins of Classical LiberalismOrigins of Classical Liberalism

• Renaissance and Protestant Reformation Renaissance and Protestant Reformation (1300s-1500s): Sparked a belief in the (1300s-1500s): Sparked a belief in the importance of the individual. importance of the individual.

• The Renaissance was a rebirth of classical The Renaissance was a rebirth of classical Greek and Roman thinking Greek and Roman thinking

• The Reformation reflected the belief that The Reformation reflected the belief that faith, in the rationality of the individual, faith, in the rationality of the individual, was more important than the hierarchical was more important than the hierarchical concentration of religious power within concentration of religious power within the Roman Catholic Church.the Roman Catholic Church.

Enlightenment/Age of ReasonEnlightenment/Age of Reason(late 1600s-early 1700s)(late 1600s-early 1700s)

• Promoted the beliefs of classical Promoted the beliefs of classical liberalism. liberalism.

• Revived Greek & Roman thinking.Revived Greek & Roman thinking.– Thomas Aquinas sought to use Aristotle’s Thomas Aquinas sought to use Aristotle’s

ideas to support teachings of the Catholic ideas to support teachings of the Catholic Church through logic and reason. Church through logic and reason.

• New appreciations of logic and reason of New appreciations of logic and reason of this time traced back to the Humanists. this time traced back to the Humanists.

The HumanistsThe Humanists• A group of thinkers that emerged in Italy A group of thinkers that emerged in Italy

and France in the late 1300s. and France in the late 1300s. • HumanismHumanism: : IdeologyIdeology that developed an that developed an

interpretation of history, beliefs about interpretation of history, beliefs about human nature, and structure of society human nature, and structure of society – based on reason rather than religion. based on reason rather than religion. – Humanists sought meaning and purpose in Humanists sought meaning and purpose in

• love, beauty, art, and the development of self.love, beauty, art, and the development of self.

• While Enlightenment thinkers believed that While Enlightenment thinkers believed that these new ideas could lead to freer and these new ideas could lead to freer and tolerant societies, tolerant societies, their ideas were not their ideas were not widely accepted because they challenged widely accepted because they challenged the established foundations of society. the established foundations of society.

Europe in TurmoilEurope in Turmoil

• By the 1600s Europe was in turmoil over By the 1600s Europe was in turmoil over these new ideas about individuality and these new ideas about individuality and faith. Was a time of rigorous religious faith. Was a time of rigorous religious wars and imperial expansion. wars and imperial expansion.

• Feudal economic order broke down as Feudal economic order broke down as cities grew and people expanded trade cities grew and people expanded trade overseas. Saw the emergence of a overseas. Saw the emergence of a wealthy middle class that saw the wealthy middle class that saw the beginning of the eroding of the beginning of the eroding of the aristocracy, whose wealth had been aristocracy, whose wealth had been primarily based on agriculture. primarily based on agriculture.

Yet Society Ripe for Change…Yet Society Ripe for Change…

In these turbulent times of In these turbulent times of • political struggle for less authoritarian rule, political struggle for less authoritarian rule, • demands for greater economic demands for greater economic

opportunities, opportunities, • and social movements challenging the and social movements challenging the

status quo, status quo, society seemed ripe to embrace this new society seemed ripe to embrace this new

ideology of classical liberalism (gave ideology of classical liberalism (gave citizens more economic, political, and citizens more economic, political, and social freedom in their lives). social freedom in their lives).

Classical Liberalism: FactorsClassical Liberalism: Factors

Many ppl who believed in liberalism Many ppl who believed in liberalism during this time believed:during this time believed:

• Individual freedoms and rights should be Individual freedoms and rights should be protected.protected.

• Nobody should be above the law.Nobody should be above the law.

• What is good for individuals within a What is good for individuals within a community can also be good for the community can also be good for the community as a whole.community as a whole.

Classical Liberalism: Factors Classical Liberalism: Factors ContinuedContinued

• Most individuals, if left alone, will make Most individuals, if left alone, will make good decisions for themselves as well as good decisions for themselves as well as their communities.their communities.

• Gov’t intervention should be limited so as Gov’t intervention should be limited so as to allow individuals as much freedom of to allow individuals as much freedom of choice about their lives as possible.choice about their lives as possible.

• Individuals and companies should be Individuals and companies should be allowed to create, market, purchase, and allowed to create, market, purchase, and sell products within a minimum of gov’t sell products within a minimum of gov’t intervention (a free market economy).intervention (a free market economy).

The Basic Principles of Classical The Basic Principles of Classical LiberalismLiberalism

• The primacy (dominance) of individual rights The primacy (dominance) of individual rights and freedoms, to be exercised in the and freedoms, to be exercised in the individual’s self-interest. individual’s self-interest. Example: freedom Example: freedom of speech, religious liberty, private property.of speech, religious liberty, private property.

• The protection of these civil liberties.The protection of these civil liberties. Example: everyone must abide by the same Example: everyone must abide by the same laws, which the gov’t enforces with laws, which the gov’t enforces with impartiality (fairness); rule of law.impartiality (fairness); rule of law.

• The belief that humans are reasonable and The belief that humans are reasonable and can make rational decisions that will benefit can make rational decisions that will benefit themselves and society as a whole.themselves and society as a whole.

The Basic Principles of Classical The Basic Principles of Classical Liberalism ContinuedLiberalism Continued

• Economic freedom, involving the Economic freedom, involving the ownership of private property and ownership of private property and free free marketsmarkets: markets with limited gov’t : markets with limited gov’t intervention. intervention.

• Constitutional limitations on the gov’t.Constitutional limitations on the gov’t. Example: gov’t is an instrument for Example: gov’t is an instrument for serving a function in society rather than serving a function in society rather than being in charge of all of society; gov’t is being in charge of all of society; gov’t is responsible to the ppl and may be responsible to the ppl and may be changed by them.changed by them.

Thinkers whose ideas Thinkers whose ideas contributed to the ideology of contributed to the ideology of economic, social and political economic, social and political

liberalism…liberalism…• Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes

• John LockeJohn Locke

• Baron de MontesquieuBaron de Montesquieu

• John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill

• Adam SmithAdam Smith

• Jean-Jacques Jean-Jacques RousseauRousseau

• Aboriginal Aboriginal ContributionsContributions

Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes (1588-(1588-1679)1679)

• Was concerned with the problems of Was concerned with the problems of social and political ordersocial and political order: how human : how human beings could live together in peace and beings could live together in peace and avoid the danger and fear of civil conflict.avoid the danger and fear of civil conflict.

• IMPORTANT: IMPORTANT: His ideas are born out of the His ideas are born out of the horrors of civil war and conflict!!! horrors of civil war and conflict!!! Therefore, he supported a strong central Therefore, he supported a strong central authority (Leviathan).authority (Leviathan).

• As a result of the civil warAs a result of the civil war he saw human he saw human beings as inherently selfish, and if left beings as inherently selfish, and if left unchecked, this selfishness would result unchecked, this selfishness would result in chaos and harm to everyone.in chaos and harm to everyone.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)1679)

• Hobbes's goal was the security of all Hobbes's goal was the security of all individuals, which could be achieved if individuals, which could be achieved if they gave up their individual sovereignty they gave up their individual sovereignty to the Leviathan.to the Leviathan.

• The Leviathan could only justify its power The Leviathan could only justify its power if it kept its subjects safeif it kept its subjects safe – again the – again the focus is back on the worth of the focus is back on the worth of the individual.individual.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7JIZ32-pII Hobbes and Locke v=s7JIZ32-pII Hobbes and Locke Enlightened ThinkersEnlightened Thinkers

John Locke John Locke (1632-1704)(1632-1704)

• John LockeJohn Locke, an , an English philosopher, English philosopher, was the first to argue was the first to argue that individuals had that individuals had innate (inborn) rights innate (inborn) rights of life, liberty and of life, liberty and property.property.

• Like Hobbes, he Like Hobbes, he believed in a social believed in a social contract, whereby ppl contract, whereby ppl gave up natural rights gave up natural rights to gov’t in order to to gov’t in order to receive social order receive social order and security for and security for themselves and their themselves and their property. property.

More Locke…More Locke…• Unlike Hobbes, he believed that the gov’t was Unlike Hobbes, he believed that the gov’t was

accountable to the ppl. If the accountable to the ppl. If the ContractContract was was broken the people have the right to rebel.broken the people have the right to rebel.

• Government comes about through the Government comes about through the agreement of free individuals that their rights agreement of free individuals that their rights are best protected by associating with one are best protected by associating with one another.another.

• Locke’s ideas justified the Glorious Revolution Locke’s ideas justified the Glorious Revolution in Britain in 1688, the American Revolution of in Britain in 1688, the American Revolution of 1776, and the French Revolution of 1789.1776, and the French Revolution of 1789.

• Locke believed that people should have a Locke believed that people should have a ‘private sphere’ that the government could ‘private sphere’ that the government could not interfere with, (religion in particular). The not interfere with, (religion in particular). The state should be tolerant of all religions.state should be tolerant of all religions.

More Locke Again…More Locke Again…• ““Reason must Reason must

be our last be our last judge and guide judge and guide in everything.” in everything.”

• Locke believed Locke believed that individuals that individuals had the right to had the right to use their reason use their reason and logic to and logic to make their own make their own decisions.decisions.

American Declaration of American Declaration of IndependenceIndependence• ““We hold these truths to be We hold these truths to be

self-evident, that all men are self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights: certain unalienable rights: that among these are life, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure happiness; that to secure these rights governments are these rights governments are instituted by men, deriving instituted by men, deriving their just powers from the their just powers from the consent of the governed……consent of the governed……

Declaration of the Rights of Declaration of the Rights of ManMan• The National Assembly also took The National Assembly also took

to Locke’s ideas and put those to Locke’s ideas and put those very ideas into their Declaration very ideas into their Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.Citizen.

• ““The end of all political The end of all political associations is the preservation of associations is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptable the natural and imprescriptable rights of man; and these rights rights of man; and these rights are liberty, property, security, and are liberty, property, security, and the resistance of oppression.”the resistance of oppression.”

• Portrays the idea called ‘Rule of Portrays the idea called ‘Rule of Law’.Law’.

Charles de Secondat, baron de Charles de Secondat, baron de MontesquieuMontesquieu (1689-1755) (1689-1755)

• Montesquieu was critical of the Church Montesquieu was critical of the Church and the divine right of kingsand the divine right of kings, who were , who were the two great authoritarian powers of his the two great authoritarian powers of his time.time.

• Montesquieu believed in the worth of the Montesquieu believed in the worth of the individual, the equality of individuals, and individual, the equality of individuals, and the accountability of government.the accountability of government.

• Supported the separation of powers – the Supported the separation of powers – the government divided into three branches: government divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.executive, legislative, and judicial.

More Montesquieu…More Montesquieu…• Three branches were independent of Three branches were independent of

each other and could not exceed the each other and could not exceed the power of the other two branches.power of the other two branches.

• People need to be involved in People need to be involved in government – need for a democracy.government – need for a democracy.

• Citizens must participate in and be aware Citizens must participate in and be aware of the law and workings of government.of the law and workings of government.

• ““The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy (rule by a few) is not so dangerous to (rule by a few) is not so dangerous to public welfare as the apathy of a citizen public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.”in a democracy.”

John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill(1806-1873)(1806-1873)

• John Stuart Mill John Stuart Mill put together put together many themes on many themes on liberalism in his liberalism in his book entitled ‘On book entitled ‘On Liberty’.Liberty’.

• Interested in the Interested in the protection of protection of individual individual freedom and the freedom and the promotion of promotion of individual individual decision making decision making as the core of as the core of societal societal institutions.institutions.

More Mill…More Mill…

• Here is a quote from Mills about liberty and Here is a quote from Mills about liberty and the use of power. “The only purpose for which the use of power. “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.”will, is to prevent harm to others.”

• A citizen should be able to act as he or she A citizen should be able to act as he or she wants, so long as his or her actions would not wants, so long as his or her actions would not harm others. HUGE advocate of free speech.harm others. HUGE advocate of free speech.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy14_tMAH4I&feature=related Biographyv=Wy14_tMAH4I&feature=related Biography

Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau (1712- (1712-1778)1778)

• Rousseau was a Swiss philosopher who Rousseau was a Swiss philosopher who spent much of his adult life in France. spent much of his adult life in France.

• He was very interested in the common He was very interested in the common good. He believed that ppl are inherently good. He believed that ppl are inherently good and have been corrupted by good and have been corrupted by civilization and society.civilization and society.

• Believed that humans are naturally free Believed that humans are naturally free and are equal in principle: “Man is born and are equal in principle: “Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.”free; and everywhere he is in chains.”

More Rousseau…More Rousseau…• Rousseau wanted humans to go back to Rousseau wanted humans to go back to

the characteristics the were universal and the characteristics the were universal and unchanging: the characteristics that unchanging: the characteristics that made humans good and equal.made humans good and equal.

• His ideal state was one where the general His ideal state was one where the general will of the ppl was the absolute authority.will of the ppl was the absolute authority.

• Unlike Locke, was opposed to the idea of Unlike Locke, was opposed to the idea of a a representative democracyrepresentative democracy (a system (a system where a small group of politicians are where a small group of politicians are elected by a larger group of citizens.) elected by a larger group of citizens.) Instead, he felt that citizens themselves Instead, he felt that citizens themselves should make the laws. should make the laws.

Laissez-Faire CapitalismLaissez-Faire Capitalism

• The French term The French term laissez-fairelaissez-faire = leave ppl = leave ppl alone to do as they wish.alone to do as they wish.

• This term is definitive of capitalism and This term is definitive of capitalism and refers to a reduction of gov’t involvement refers to a reduction of gov’t involvement in the economy. in the economy.

• Individual actions and achievements are Individual actions and achievements are deemed to be more productive in deemed to be more productive in economic decision making than gov’t economic decision making than gov’t actions. actions.

Physiocrats & MercantilismPhysiocrats & Mercantilism

• Laissez-faire capitalism emerged from the Laissez-faire capitalism emerged from the theories of the physiocrats.theories of the physiocrats.

• PhysiocratsPhysiocrats = a group of Enlightenment = a group of Enlightenment philosophers in France who critiqued the philosophers in France who critiqued the prevailing economics of mercantilism.prevailing economics of mercantilism.

• MercantilismMercantilism = the aim that all = the aim that all economic pursuits should be to economic pursuits should be to strengthen the power and wealth of the strengthen the power and wealth of the state (gov’t).state (gov’t).

Adam SmithAdam Smith (1723-1790) (1723-1790)• Adam Smith was a Scottish Adam Smith was a Scottish

political economist who political economist who spent time with the spent time with the physiocrats, and they physiocrats, and they influenced his thinking.influenced his thinking.

• He, too, disagreed with He, too, disagreed with existing mercantilist existing mercantilist economic system.economic system.

• In 1776 he published the In 1776 he published the Wealth of NationsWealth of Nations, in which , in which he described a system he described a system where individuals work for where individuals work for their own self-interest in a their own self-interest in a free-market system. free-market system.

Adam Smith A Radical!Adam Smith A Radical!• It’s important to realize how radical It’s important to realize how radical

Smith’s ideas were at the time.Smith’s ideas were at the time.• The mercantilist system increased the The mercantilist system increased the

wealth of the state but not the wealth of wealth of the state but not the wealth of the majority of ppl within that state, and the majority of ppl within that state, and very few ppl enjoyed the benefits of the very few ppl enjoyed the benefits of the labour that fed the state’s wealth. labour that fed the state’s wealth.

• Smith’s ideas were in stark contrast to Smith’s ideas were in stark contrast to this. He believed that if ppl worked first this. He believed that if ppl worked first and foremost for themselves, everyone and foremost for themselves, everyone (including the state), would be better off. (including the state), would be better off.

• Smith insisted that individual self-interest Smith insisted that individual self-interest in a free market would lead to a stronger in a free market would lead to a stronger economy and would benefit most ppl in economy and would benefit most ppl in society.society.

The Invisible HandThe Invisible Hand

• The idea of the invisible hand, Smith’s The idea of the invisible hand, Smith’s justification for self-interest as an justification for self-interest as an economic motive, can be stated quite economic motive, can be stated quite simply: simply: by having every individual look by having every individual look after his or her own best interests, he or after his or her own best interests, he or she unwittingly ends up helping everyone she unwittingly ends up helping everyone else, by providing jobs and cheaper else, by providing jobs and cheaper labour. labour.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FHxpoQqPTUv=4FHxpoQqPTU

So What is the Gov’t’s Role?So What is the Gov’t’s Role?

• Smith believed that the gov’t’s role Smith believed that the gov’t’s role should be limited to maintaining the rule should be limited to maintaining the rule of law, to ensuring contracts were of law, to ensuring contracts were followed, and to providing some public followed, and to providing some public works (education, road maintenance).works (education, road maintenance).

• Smith’s work provided the foundation for Smith’s work provided the foundation for much of the capitalist system. These much of the capitalist system. These essential concepts – the free market and essential concepts – the free market and a limited role for gov’t – became the basis a limited role for gov’t – became the basis of laissez-faire capitalism, the economic of laissez-faire capitalism, the economic system associated with classical system associated with classical liberalism. liberalism.

What Are We What Are We Learning Today?Learning Today?

2.4 Explore aboriginal 2.4 Explore aboriginal contributions to the contributions to the

development of liberalism.development of liberalism.

Aboriginal Contributions to LiberalismAboriginal Contributions to Liberalism

It has been argued that many It has been argued that many of the principles of of the principles of liberalism originated in liberalism originated in traditional Aboriginal traditional Aboriginal societies.societies.

In Canada, our Aboriginal In Canada, our Aboriginal communities use liberal communities use liberal ideas such as elected ideas such as elected leaders, government by leaders, government by consensus, leadership on consensus, leadership on the basis of merit, just the basis of merit, just punishment, and concepts punishment, and concepts of equality and equality of equality and equality before the law.before the law.

Great Law of PeaceGreat Law of Peace

The Great Law of Peace provided The Great Law of Peace provided the Haudenosaunee peoples the Haudenosaunee peoples with a constitution that dates with a constitution that dates back to the 15back to the 15thth century. century.

The Great Binding Law, as it The Great Binding Law, as it sometimes is referred to, has sometimes is referred to, has three main principles: three main principles: righteousness, health and righteousness, health and power – all characteristics of power – all characteristics of liberalism.liberalism.

http://www.iroquoisdemocracy.pdx.edu/http://www.iroquoisdemocracy.pdx.edu/html/greatlaw.htmlhtml/greatlaw.html

Take a look at the original document.Take a look at the original document.

Liberalism TodayLiberalism TodayLiberals today generally believe that every individual is Liberals today generally believe that every individual is

unique. The purpose of life is to realize that potential, unique. The purpose of life is to realize that potential, and to become whatever it is one is capable of and to become whatever it is one is capable of becoming.becoming.

The role of the state (government) is to produce the The role of the state (government) is to produce the conditions under which individuals have the broadest conditions under which individuals have the broadest possible choice in deciding upon their definition of good.possible choice in deciding upon their definition of good.

Society, meanwhile, should celebrate this diversity while Society, meanwhile, should celebrate this diversity while giving equal treatment to all, regardless of a person’s giving equal treatment to all, regardless of a person’s origins, colour, sex or status in life.origins, colour, sex or status in life.

In exchange for this respect, the individual must In exchange for this respect, the individual must acknowledge responsibility for his own fortunes and for acknowledge responsibility for his own fortunes and for the fortunes of the community.the fortunes of the community.

Liberalism in CanadaLiberalism in CanadaIn 1982 the Canadian Charter of Rights and In 1982 the Canadian Charter of Rights and

Freedoms advanced the liberal cause Freedoms advanced the liberal cause by entrenching into the Canadian by entrenching into the Canadian Constitution (Canada Act) both basic Constitution (Canada Act) both basic liberties and new linguistic (language) liberties and new linguistic (language) rights for minorities.rights for minorities.

The purpose of the Charter was to The purpose of the Charter was to entrench (dig in) rights, especially entrench (dig in) rights, especially language rights, where no government language rights, where no government could ever take them away.could ever take them away.

With the Charter as a shield ,a single With the Charter as a shield ,a single citizen can achiever Locke’s vision of citizen can achiever Locke’s vision of a society in which individual rights a society in which individual rights take precedence over authority.take precedence over authority.

Our charter also protects collective rights Our charter also protects collective rights of groups within the areas of language of groups within the areas of language and culture. Thus supporting the and culture. Thus supporting the principle of equality for all within principle of equality for all within society.society.