What is the Real Liberalism?

Liberalism, real Liberalism, is an integral political philosophy that embraces the economy, politics, and culture, firmly rooted in individual liberty as the supreme human value. Its central objective is the steadfast protection of this liberty through mechanisms meticulously designed to prevent abuses of power.

16 minutos

Prologue

Our esteemed, albeit fictitious, British professor, possessing a firm grasp of the tenets of common sense, has done it again rendering our column concerning Liberalism into his own beautiful tongue (all thanks to Gemini). 

Other columns by our friend: Discrimination: Refining a Fuzzy Concept, Division of political power: beyond Montesquieu, When Does One Cease to Be Poor?

In Brief: Core Tenets

Now, for a spot of delightful conciseness, let’s distil the essence of this rather grand idea. The very heart of Liberalism, if you’ll permit me, is that individual liberty stands as the most elevated of human values.

This grand principle, much like a well-tailored suit, is applied across the entire societal fabric: from the vibrant hues of culture (think freedom of expression, religious conviction, artistic flair), to the sturdy weave of politics (democracy, the hallowed rule of law, the ingenious separation of powers, precisely to keep governmental overreach in check), and indeed, to the bustling marketplace of the economy (free initiative, healthy competition, and markets, those splendid engines of prosperity).

Liberalism, you see, rather firmly opposes any system that seeks to shackle this precious liberty. Ideologies such as socialism, or indeed, any flavour of interventionism that rather fancies concentrating power in the hands of government, are, frankly, anathema to the liberal spirit.

Its overarching objective is for the government to establish a rule of law that vigorously fosters personal initiative and widespread prosperity, always steadfastly defending the individual as an end in himself, rather than a mere means to someone else’s rather grand (and often misguided) designs.

For the true liberal, liberty, much like a good claret, is not to be enjoyed in splendid isolation. It is inextricably entwined with moral responsibility. There’s a firm belief in humanity’s innate capacity for choice and self-sufficiency, and that the elusive truth, rather like a recalcitrant squirrel, must be diligently sought with a certain intellectual discipline.

One must also acknowledge, with a wry chuckle perhaps, that governmental power is a perpetually mischievous beast, ever keen to overstep its bounds and thus requiring constant, indeed, rather ingenious, restraints. And as for those pesky ideologies, well, they are often rather dangerous concoctions, prone to suppressing individual liberty with all the subtlety of a runaway omnibus.

Part I: What is Liberalism? A Broad Notion

Liberalism, much like an intricate piece of tapestry, is a political notion adorned with a myriad of hues and interpretations, frequently interwoven with individual opinions. What follows is a humble endeavour to systematise its veritable meaning.

Liberalism, you see, encompasses every conceivable facet of a society across the realms of economics, politics, and the very generation and manifestation of ideas. All of this, I might add, is firmly grounded in the central conviction that liberty is the most paramount of human values. Indeed, this forms the very heart of Liberalism.

Within each of these esteemed domains, Liberalism meticulously applies the principle of respect for this cherished liberty, employing mechanisms designed to thwart any potential abuses of power. It’s an idea, rather splendidly, that extends the concept of freedom to every conceivable facet of human conduct.

Its antecedents, one might observe, are to be found in ideas that blossomed during the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly those begotten by religious conflicts that, rather serendipitously, found their resolution in the embrace of tolerance. This solution, you see, entailed regarding religion as a deeply personal decision that ought to be revered and in which governments, quite rightly, should have no impertinent interference.

From this expansive notion, a cascade of conclusions duly flowed, broadening the scope to concepts that advocate for a government bound by laws, meticulously limited by a constitution founded upon the natural rights of man – that is to say, their inherent liberties.

📌 The definition and systematisation of Liberalism as a broad political ideology that gracefully spans economics, politics, and culture. It is rooted in the paramount principle of individual liberty as the highest human value and proposes ingenious mechanisms to constrain power and prevent abuses across all these spheres.

Characteristics of Liberalism: Its Domains

Liberalism and Culture

In the cultural sphere, Liberalism steadfastly champions religious, educational, artistic, literary, creative, and research freedoms, amongst others. The most conspicuous of these liberties, perhaps, is that of the manifestation of ideas, by which I mean freedom of expression, a quality most admirably evident in the media.

Regimes that stand in opposition to these liberties are, as you might surmise, those that concentrate power in the government, which then, rather regrettably, engages in acts of censorship and repression to impede the free circulation of ideas and works.

Liberalism and Politics

In the political arena, Liberalism asserts the imperative for a government that is rigorously regulated to avert abuses of authority. From this fertile ground spring forth the ideas of democracy, republic, and the rule of law.

These concepts serve as a splendid instrument for the division of power across three distinct levels: the functional, which segregates legislative, judicial, and executive duties; the spatial, which gracefully delineates regional autonomies; and the temporal, which facilitates peaceful changes of government. Crucially, it places the law squarely above the capricious whims of the ruler.

Liberalism and Economy

In the economic sphere, Liberalism champions the application of freedom of initiative to the activities of creation, production, distribution, and the buying and selling of goods and services. To forestall abuses of power in this domain, Liberalism places its faith in competition amongst producers of similar goods.

Economic liberty, you see, is merely the logical continuation of freedom of expression and the liberty to choose one’s governors. It is generally known, rather succinctly, as Capitalism.

Respect for Human Liberty

One might confidently state that Liberalism embraces liberty as the supreme value to be defended. Hence its ardent advocacy for freedom of expression, economic freedom, political freedom, and indeed, the entire panoply of liberties.

Opponents

Liberalism finds itself opposed, to varying degrees, by political ideologies that do not accord a preponderant place to liberty. These include socialism, economic planning, interventionism, and generally, authoritarian regimes.

Liberalism’s most formidable adversaries are, without doubt, the socialists. Liberals and socialists clash head-on due to their fundamental divergence on the central strategy for achieving their shared ultimate goal. Both, you see, aspire to elevate prosperity and progress, but they propose to do so via vastly different systems.

It is quite natural for Liberalism to envisage a government whose central function is the establishment of a rule of law that facilitates and rewards personal initiative. For socialism, conversely, it is natural for a government to extend far beyond this function and assume far grander responsibilities, particularly within the economic domain.

Variable Meanings

Liberalism, like many a political concept, possesses rather protean meanings. In the United States, for instance, liberals are often proponents of interventionism, effectively transforming them into socialists who favour large governments.

In other climes, rather amusingly, the reverse obtains. All of this, I might add, is further complicated by the existence of two other venerable groups, the conservatives and the progressives.

Part II: Nine Liberal Principles

Here, we present a selection from the estimable text by Jesús Huerta de Soto, originally published by the Instituto de Libre Empresa in Peru. Thus, the defence of the market economy (also termed the «capitalist system» or «free enterprise system») forms an integral part of the liberal ideology.

These are, in essence, the defining characteristics of a free society:

1. Free Trade The liberty of commerce (free trade) and, more broadly, the unfettered circulation of persons, capital, and goods. This is the domain of the free market, of entrepreneurial freedom, of economic liberty in general.
2. Sound Currency The maintenance of a robust monetary system that steadfastly prevents its inflationary manipulation by the governing authorities.
3. Rule of Law The establishment of a Rule of Law, wherein all human beings – including, crucially, those who at any given moment comprise the Government – are subject to the same minimum framework of laws, understood in their “material” sense (legal norms, primarily civil and criminal law, which are abstract and of general and equal application to all).
4. Limited Government The limitation of governmental power to the bare minimum necessary to adequately define and defend the right to life, private property, peacefully acquired possession, and the faithful fulfilment of promises and contracts.
5. Public Finance The curtailment and diligent control of public expenditure, adherence to the principle of a balanced budget, and the maintenance of a reduced level of taxation. This is the intricate realm of public finance, which, regrettably, is all too frequently managed with a certain heedlessness, a point upon which the Washington Consensus places considerable emphasis.
6. Division of Power The establishment of a stringent system of separation of political powers (legislative, executive, and judicial) to effectively pre-empt any nascent stirrings of tyranny.
7. The Principle of Self-Determination By virtue of which any social group ought to be able to freely choose what political organisation it wishes to form or to which state it desires or does not desire to belong.
8. Democracy The judicious utilisation of democratic procedures for electing governors, ensuring that democracy is, under no circumstances, employed as a mere alibi to justify the violation of the Rule of Law or the coercion of minorities.
9. Peace And, in summation, the establishment of a world order firmly based on peace and voluntary free trade amongst all the nations of the earth.

Part III: Liberal Proposals and Ideas

The Essential Ideas of Liberalism

The paramount value of Liberalism, you see, resides in the human being as an individual and a person – specifically, their liberty and their rational capacity. Liberalism meticulously preserves this liberty within three interconnected systems within a society, which together define the most desirable societal arrangement.

It’s not, mind you, perfect; it has its inevitable foibles and is no utopia, but it is, without a doubt, the very best possible in this terrestrial sphere.

Three Systems

Economic System

Rooted in the freedom of labour and initiative – a system generally known as self-regulating free markets, or simply a market economy. Its central tenet is to enable the flourishing of everyone’s talent within a given society.

Political System

Likewise grounded in human liberty, this system carries concrete implications: periodic elections, the division of power, respect for human rights, and the unwavering rule of law. The result, naturally, is a government that cultivates an environment conducive to individuals striving to realise their aspirations.

This political system, it must be stressed, is underpinned by the division of power, thereby diligently avoiding systems that concentrate power in governments and the abuses that inevitably stem from such concentration.

Cultural System

Equally founded on human liberty, this system is supported by the existence of independent and free cultural institutions, themselves a product of liberties in education, expression, thought, and religion.

Liberalism, moreover, posits that these three systems are the offspring of a singular, indivisible liberty – it would be, after all, quite incongruous to have cultural liberty without, say, economic or political freedom.

Part IV: A Liberal Credo

The Convictions of a Liberal

When I find myself pondering the profound reasons for embracing the label of a liberal in the traditional sense – rather in the manner of those who cherish human liberty whilst simultaneously exalting the moral responsibility it inevitably entails – I believe it stems from certain convictions.

These are tenets that I hold to be superior to their opposites or their various alternatives. What follows is a rather personal catalogue of these beliefs – a sort of liberal credo, if you will.

I believe in human liberty. In our inherent capacity to select what is best for ourselves, for indeed, that is precisely why we are endowed with the faculty of thought.

I believe that morality, dear reader, cannot be legislated. Nor, for that matter, can it be subjected to the fickle whims of public opinion polls. The government cannot dictate morality; its remit must be strictly limited to the application of basic moral principles designed solely for the protection of individuals and their possessions from the aggressions of third parties.

The government ought not to usurp the role of the individual where they are perfectly capable of fending for themselves – this is the admirable principle of subsidiarity.

I believe in the harmonious union of liberty and morality. And that this union is in a perpetual state of evolution and debate – yet, all must adhere to a central tenet: that every human being is an end in himself, incapable of being sacrificed for the sake of others, irrespective of who they might be.

If every human being is an end in himself, then morality rests upon the fundamental principle of doing nothing that one would not wish to be done unto oneself. From such discussions, one might glean valuable insights, but also, alas, commit errors that we are bound to correct.

I believe in human self-sufficiency. The liberal conviction that we, as individuals, possess inherent worth, capabilities, and the capacity to sustain ourselves as independent beings within a web of interdependence. That we ought to be treated impersonally by the laws and their application, and that this very principle of “impersonalism” should permeate all other activities – treating every human being as such, without regard for their specific condition.

I believe that liberty is a singular entity. And that it manifests across an infinite spectrum of fields – from the weighty political act of casting an electoral vote to the mundane purchase of toothpaste, the opening of a small business, or the quiet reading of a book.

I hold the firm liberal conviction that the true mission of government is the preservation of human liberties, not their curtailment – for there exists a causal relationship between liberty and prosperity, an environment wherein every human being’s dreams have the brightest prospects of being realised.

I believe that governmental power is an ever-present peril, specially subtle im democracies. That it inherently tends to exceed its boundaries, and thus it is absolutely imperative to impose restraints upon this authority – that these restraints are exquisitely designed within mechanisms that divide power amongst various entities, each serving as a check upon the others.

I possess the liberal conviction that an overly active government invariably induces passivity in its citizens, and that this, in turn, negates the very essence of humanity, which is action, not inaction.

I believe that religion is a wellspring of personal self-control. That it is both necessary and imperative for free beings – yet, that religion must be embraced through personal conviction, and therefore, free missionary endeavours should be permitted.

I believe that religious manifestations of diverse creeds can be public and open, without this being interpreted as an assault upon individuals of other beliefs – freedom of belief is another cherished liberal conviction.

I believe that ideologies are dangerous. They foster envy and hatred, posing a serious peril and causing untold misery – and that they must be combated with more liberty, not less. I hold the liberal conviction that democracy, when elevated to an ideal, is a considerable error, for it obscures the true value to be defended, which is liberty itself.

I believe that governments must remain independent of religions, and that their unholy union inevitably leads to dictatorship.

I believe that liberty is a universal value. And that it is intrinsic to the human being by their very nature and capacities – and that the appreciation of liberty in each person and each nation is an independent occurrence. That liberty is systematically attacked by misguided ideologies that are exploited by power-hungry individuals seeking to impose their personal projects upon others. That a good society is one that allows each person to realise their own project, not that of another.

I believe that liberty can be abused. That it can, alas, lead to reproachable situations – but that there is simply no other remedy than to accept or tolerate them, for there is no viable middle ground between being free and not being so.

I hold the liberal conviction that human beings possess an innate compassion for the suffering of others, and that this can be alleviated through private initiatives – that the government, when transformed into a mere charity agency, discourages personal benevolence and renders us dependent on its actions.

I believe that no ruler knows enough. None of us, I contend, possesses the requisite preparation to govern the rest. No ruler, nor any group of them, knows enough to plan our lives, our economies, or our education – for these are matters that pertain to us, not to others. Over the annals of time, human beings have forged traditions and customs that accumulate the wisdom of the ages, and these, I argue, cannot be cast aside without the most grievous consequences.

I believe that truth exists. And that relativism is an ailment produced by the exaggerated exaltation of ideas contrary to personal dignity. That our lives, those of our forebears, and those who will follow us, constitute a trajectory in pursuit of that truth, which we are approaching step by meticulous step.

I believe in good education and impeccable manners. I hold the liberal conviction that vulgarity, insults, and aggression invariably lead to discord. That fanaticism engenders violence, and that faith, rather beautifully, complements reason.

That our ultimate goal is truth, and that we can attain it if a disciplined mode of thought prevails. And I believe that we, as humans, require an explanation for our very raison d’être – an explanation that I have personally found in the belief in God and our inherent resemblance to Him.

Conclusion

Liberalism, my dear friends, is an integral political philosophy that embraces the economy, politics, and culture, firmly rooted in individual liberty as the supreme human value. Its central objective is the steadfast protection of this liberty through mechanisms meticulously designed to prevent abuses of power.

Its venerable origins lie in the 16th and 17th centuries, emerging from religious conflicts that, rather fortuitously, found their resolution in tolerance and the profound notion of religion as a deeply personal choice, thereby laying the groundwork for a government constrained by laws and natural rights.

In the cultural sphere, Liberalism champions freedom of expression and all creative, artistic, and research liberties, unequivocally opposing governmental censorship and repression. In the political arena, it advocates for a rigorously regulated government through republicanism, and the rule of law, featuring a clear division of powers (functional, spatial, and temporal) that subordinates the ruler’s will to the law. Economically, it promotes freedom of initiative and competition in the market (famously known as capitalism), considering this a logical extension of all other liberties.

Liberalism is, at its core, a collection of ideas that seek a social order founded upon unrestricted respect for human liberty, treating all individuals as equal in their rights.

It stands in direct opposition to ideologies that curtail freedom, such as socialism or interventionism, which, though they may ostensibly aim for progress, do so at the lamentable expense of individual liberties. While Liberalism advocates for a government whose principal function is to establish a rule of law that facilitates personal initiative, socialism, in stark contrast, champions a government that assumes far more expansive responsibilities, particularly in the economic domain.