Classic Liberalism: Which of the Theories Is the Most Convincing and Why - Article Example

ic Liberalism affiliation Part Overview ical Theory ical liberalism was developed in Western Europe from the radicalism and Whiggery ideologies. As founded by British radicals in 1790s to 1820s, classical liberalism is a political ideology that is anchored on emphasizing popular sovereignty and natural rights. Designing the classical liberalism theory, Richard Price and Joseph Priestley adapted Locke ideology of radicalism. One of the pillars that were driving liberalism was fundamental parliamentary reforms in the leadership structure of British and west Europe. There are three elements recognized by those who championed for classical liberalism; these include individualism realization, equal rights and liberty. These were driving radicalisms into questioning political structures during the 18th and early 19th century (Ball & Dagger 1999). Anderson et al., (2004) historically, classical liberalism became dominant in Britain during the 19th century until the onset of the First World War One. Some of the greatest impediments to the onset of the application of this ideology were Corn Laws and Catholic Acts of Roman Empire. However, the great match towards attaining was won after the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 and the Reform Act of 1832 (Lisiewics 2007). The theory of classical liberalism points out that the three legal developments saw a coalition of the radical and liberal groups in support of free trade and expansion of personal liberty. In essence, classical liberalism represents human development through recognition of inherent personal freedom of self-gratification and fulfillment. Some as an intellectual response to the industrial revolution have argued it. Among many other features, classical theorist founded their solid affirmation of property rights and the promotion of free trade. In addition, it was founded on a theory of human nature that saw human strive to attain egoistic and motivated by self-interest (Handler 2012). According to Turner (2007) argues that classical liberals argue that society is best constituted because it allows individuals to pursue their self-interest and recognition of personal interest. In addition, classical liberalism is a philosophy of astute commitment to the ideals of liberty to individuals and limited government. According to this political ideology, recognition of the fundamental freedom of religion, press, speech, free market and assembly are important components in liberalism. The recognition of inherent values that promote human dignity and promotion of personal expression underpins integral components of liberalism (Minogue 2010). Just like radicals, the proponents of classical liberal theory were driven by pursuit to challenge the governance dominance on the freedom of people. They share similar political visions and values of a free society, where individuals have unlimited space to express divergent views without fear of victimization from government. Edwards (2004) observes that historically, liberalism developed in Western Europe and America during the nineteenth century as a manifestation of the growing concern of suppressive government. Scholars argue that those intellectuals who agitated for democratic ideals in the political landscape drove the theory. Notably, there are important contributors to the classical theory, Adam Smith, a psychologist, argued that individual liberty and natural law application are important values that society should recognize in promoting self-fulfillment of individual (Barrish 2005). He recognized classical liberalism as the path towards personal freedom. In addition, Jean-Baptiste, Thomas Malthus and Ricardo have been instrumental in shaping the theory through systematic transition to the neo-classical liberalism. While supporting the political ideology, these proponents suggested that political parties in Europe should be in forefront in enhancing personal liberty. Although the classical theory borrowed heavily from the ideas proposed in the 18th century, it advocates for a government and society ruled by the public as a result of urbanization and industrial revolution (Smith 2008). In essence, the term was applied in retrospective earlier nineteenth century liberalism. The new version examines how people are influenced by the existing governance conservatism. In the United States, the liberalists established liberal political parties that fiercely differed with conservative parties whose ideology and powerful state and trade regulation contrasted liberal conviction of freedom against government regulations. Moreover, classical theory suggests formation of small, but representative governments that capture public participation and allow fundamental freedom of expression and self-determination. Throughout history, liberal political parties have come to dominate political ideology in the United States. As the world move towards securing fundamental freedom participative or democratic leadership, the theory project that the world political landscape will shift towards securing personal freedom and expression through universal liberal democracy (Losurdo 2004). Fredrick Hayek identified two divergent traditions within the theory of liberalism. Firstly, is the British tradition that is founded strongly on the common law, which is by all standard representation of conservatives? In his argument, he established that liberalism questioned the existence of a rigid principle within its leadership and judicial matters. This is the concept as a representation of the mindset that is remote from observing traditions and values that has been in existence. It questions morality and jurisdiction of preset values that has over years jeopardizes personal recognition as unique and expressive human being that require space to explore personal fulfillment. In summary, classic liberalism reflects a personal and societal pursuit for self-determination. In enhancing personal stand, it collectively pursues an ideology of promoting personal freedom while questioning repressive values and existing governance. Moreover, the liberalism ideas are found in three important elements. Firstly, is emphasized on an ethical aspect of individuals bearing prior existence ahead of state, society of a community, thus individuals should be left with adequate freedom as a fundamental principle. Secondly, it supports the right of property carried to its end, meaning its support a free-market economy. Lastly, it is founded on the desire of a limited constitutional government that protect individual rights and expansion of personal space (Turner 2007). Part 2: Summary of the Weakness of Classical Liberalism Talshir (2003) observe that one of the greatest criticisms of Classic Liberalism is that it is inherently selfish. This has been advanced by a number of critics drawing its explanation for the fact that it fosters its strength on pursuit for self-determination. Critics popularly know it as a political tool that has been advanced by radicals to advance social unrest. While many critics agree that, there is a need to safeguard people’s sense of freedom. However, many believe that classical liberalism has unlimited power vested in people and has been the root cause of the rising uprising during the ancient and modern governance. In essence, critics view liberalism as a path towards civilly unrest because of the purported protection of the rights. Ironically, one of its weaknesses stems from one of the strengths of classical liberalism. Many critiques argue that through adopting liberalism, many proponents were myopic of the transient history of stability in a political environment in conservative ideology. Because people would always differ with leadership, the pillars of liberalism have not curtailed the minimum standards to warrant agitation for political change. Critics have labeled Liberalism as recipe for loss of grip by leadership. Those who subscribe to conservatism argue that liberalism, just like democracy promotes slowed decision making because of the participative nature of decision-making. In addition, liberalism has failed to recognize the emerging order as and centrality of values that has slowly been degenerated into liberalism. In essence, liberalism is a political ideology that has been shaped by conservatism values. Some critics argue that under the modern liberalism, the primary values of leadership, respect, belief and centralized power has been relinquished by growing outburst of divergent points of view. The creation of natural law has distributed power to citizens, in less developed countries critics argue that people cannot manage the huge responsibility that comes from liberalism (Farmer 2006). Other critics have pointed out that liberalism means surrendering power to every person. Under these circumstances, the country leadership shoulders huge burden of divergent views and running of the nation’s affairs gets difficult. Many nations who subscribe to this ideology have been noted to be restricted in facilitating stable political environment. In addition, the liberal policy gives lip service to the free-trade values in economic establishment without interrogating market forces. Whereas, the principle of free trade can be practical, the ideology pays no attention to the emergent orders within and outside business organizations. Many economists have argued that this is the greatest undoing of this concept. In order to put into practice the free trade policy, there are a number of political and economic forces that should be agreed and signed by multiple nations (Losurdo 2004). Although many countries may subscribe to the classical liberalism, market situations and different economic development can limit the free trade implementation. As a weakness, the theory envisions free trade as a practical economic benefit that accrues from liberalism policy without regarding to the existing policy framework. In addition, classical liberalism has created four emergent processes that include market, democracy, science, and the modern civil societies. These entities have been examined and noted by critics to be suggesting that market forces reflect exogenous human choices that break down the market; in essence, market is a creation of competing demands and supply. Liberalism can only influence international trade that signs bilateral agreements with others. In reality, market forces are a creation of generative rules of supply and demand and liberalism has little influence in long-term forces determining market of local commodities (Hallowell 2013). Lastly, critics argue that classical liberalism represents a narrow emergent order whose weakness is rooted in its greatest strength. While creation of environment for self-fulfillment is important, liberal ideology fails to establish rules that would promote order. There is no doubt that the expansion of freedom and liberty space comes with a burden of responsibility on the side of those who value freedom (Farmer 2006). The theorist of liberalism failed to address how the nation and society would navigate possible growth of discontent and rebellion, which are burden of liberal society and governments. Part 3: Why is Classical Liberalism Convincing despite its Weakness? Burnham (2014) observes that critics have argued that classical liberalism has encouraged anarchy and instability in the political landscape, this concept has proven to envision ideals of humanity. Firstly, it stands out as a superior political ideology because of a number of reasons. Its classic definition reflects a society that no individual can violate the right to life and liberty of others. This is the aspect of classical liberalism that has spurred greater sense of satisfaction and humanity. Besides, it has foster tolerance and recognition of the significant roles played by others in shaping individual goals and aspirations. Secondly, this concept restricts the use of power and force against others. Its fundamental recognition of freedom of speech and liberty guarantees government protection n exercising these basic rights. In essence, the goal of classical liberalism is to create a fair and just society driven by inherent recognition of individual values and aspiration (Hallowell 2013). Unlike conservatives, liberalist nations recognize each person’s liberty of freedom. More importantly, because it has restrictive powers, the ideology has the power to limit use of force by the government and others who may engage others with force. Thus, it is arguable creates a heterogeneous society that lives in harmony despite the existence of divergent opinion. Additionally, when we consider the relegated position of the poor and helpless in society, the systematic application of classical liberal stand out as the most ideal policy put in practice. In reality, ruling class has ability to abuse the minority and walk away freely in conservative nations. However, the application of classical liberalism put both the upper class and lower group at equilibrium in regard to law. In essence, the helpless and poor are empowered to prosecute the majority suppression in a court of law. Besides, the ideology protects the poor from court manipulation by rich, hence in its ideal application, they receive an equal hearing. Smith (2008) argues that any analysts argue that classical liberalism is the ultimate path towards personal protection. Indeed, this has been founded in both practice and application. Besides, it is the drive behind the continued push for liberalism despite the existence of criticism. Today, many governments are trying to establish meaning in democracy and liberalism while others are undergoing an unstoppable transition from conservatism to liberal democracy. As witnessed recently in Hong Kong massive protest by public university students, the ultimate transition towards a society free of traditions and stereotyping is ultimately coming to light, this is one of the struggle towards achieving global classical liberalism. Another merit of liberalism is the fact that its application augurs well with the current conventional human rights and many constitutions of democratic nations. Despite huge criticism from conservatives, today the people now determine the political destiny of the country. The right to participate in critical national issues has been captured within the principles of classical liberalism. The essence of this ideology is driven by consistent application of the rule of law and search of personal freedom to express disagreement even on popular views; analysts argue that this is integral inn promoting universal respect and religious tolerance (Talshir 2003). Hence, the concept, principles of allowing people space to choose leaders and have faith of third choice makes the concept relevant to the modern times. In addition, classical liberalism derives its merit from the way it puts interest of each group at its best. The call of recognition of minority in governance and leadership is common in many nations. The concept recognizes the inherent right to critique and press for changes in the manner of leadership and political structures. It remains a favorite policy despite negative allegations from those who oppose. In his, book “The Triumph of Conservatism,” Gabriel Kolko observed that conservatives were worried of the political shift that was terrorizing “big business and big people syndrome.” This implies that conservatism had relegated people into groups of big people, the ruling class, and the smaller majority. The existence of modern liberalism has since impaired perception and created a harmonious society driven by equality and fair distribution of resources. Despite fierce criticism, classical liberalism reflects a participative leadership that recognizes inherent position of every person in terms of the right to make a decision. Scholars agree that liberalism and democracy are thin paper different; both are driven by humanity and a pursuit for recognition. Unlike the conservatism, liberalism encourages mutually beneficial relationship between the people and the government. There is no doubt that repressive government and ideologies are now seen as retrogressive, the fundamental achievements attained through liberal democracy have been sold. Hence, despite the existence of divergent views classical liberalism remain pivotal in bridging the gap between personal and societal expectation. Besides criticism, classical liberalism represents a progressive ideology driven by efforts to secure a personal realization in context of others. It kills the class stratification and creates a free-market economy through removing trade barriers. Economists agree that classical liberalism promotes integration of the economy and international trade is fostered. It is therefore a concept that goes beyond the mere political inclination. It captures the economic, social and political landscape that facilitates greater recognition of personal interest as a basic unit of the larger community. Because of its contributions in shaping personal values and societal freedom, classical liberalism has opened doors free society driven by mutual respect and protection of minority interests as opposed to the conservative tradition. Arguably, conservatism is a political system that defines wrong and right based on shaky grounds, classical liberal courts are free of unsound tradition and maintain open interrogation of issues in making judgments (Handler 2012). Promotion of persona justice has been encapsulated within the meaning of classical liberalism. Another merit despite criticisms is the fact that the liberalists focuses on multicultural thinking that recognizes the existence of diversity. Many conservatives do not recognize the uniqueness of its population. For instance, adoption of classical liberalism in the political landscape has created a system that respects each of the diverse ethnicity. Those who oppose this ideology, even agree that classical liberalism is founded on sowing seeds of ethnic and racial tolerance, a factor that is important in multi-racial and multi-ethnic nations (Ball & Dagger 1999). In essence, it has interlaced communities and races into a unique product that although differentiate by physical and complexion, they remain tied with a cord of tolerance and mutual respect. Conclusion Classical theory is integral in enhancing and constructing personal freedom towards self-realization. There are two crucial stipulations that this ideology award to the people. Firstly, it guarantees state protection of liberty and freedom and secondly it ensures that o group uses force against another group and go unpunished. Despite wide criticism, this ideology is relevant to modern community band national governance. References List Anderson, L. R., Mellor, J. M., & Milyo, J. 2004. Do Liberals Play Nice? The Effects of Party and Political Ideology in Public Goods and Trust Games. Ball, T., & Dagger, R. 1999. Ideals and ideologies: A reader. Harlow: Longman. Barrish, P. 2005. White liberal identity, literary pedagogy, and classic American realism. 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