An Historical Overview of Liberalism
Liberalism
The belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights
Generally liberals support
• Constitutionalism• Liberal democracy• Free and fair elections• Human rights• Capitalism• Freedom of religion
Liberalism as a reaction to feudal rule
John Locke (1632 – 1704):- the concept of natural rights and the social
contract - to argue that the rule of law should replace
absolutism in government- that rulers are subject to the consent of the
governed- that private individuals had a fundamental right
to life, liberty, and property
Liberalism in the Netherlands
• 1581 ‘Placcaet van Verlatinghe’– Religious freedom– Economic freedom
• First stock-exchange• Republic governed by citizens not nobility
• 20th century frontrunner in ethical issues: gay rights, abortion, euthanasia
Modern liberal state: - constitutionally limiting the power of the
monarch- affirming parliamentary supremacy- passing the Bill of Rights (1689) and - establishing the principle of ‘consent of the
governed’
Liberalism in the UK
Liberalism in the US
The 1776 Declaration of Independence of the United States of America:- liberal principles without the encumbrance of
hereditary aristocracy- the declaration stated that "all men are
created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among these life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Liberalism in France
• The French Revolution overthrew the hereditary aristocracy, with the slogan "liberty, equality, fraternity", and was the first state in history to grant universal male suffrage.
• The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, first codified in 1789 in France, is a foundational document of both liberalism and human rights.
Around 1900
• Western Europe and the US– Democracy (limited franchise)– Constitution– Rule of law
– But no equal opportunities, poverty, still great influence of the church
Social Reforms 1900 - 1914
• More positive and proactive measures were required to ensure that every individual would have an equal opportunity of success.– health insurance, unemployment insurance, and
pensions for elderly workers– redistributing wealth: increased taxes on luxuries,
liquor, tobacco, incomes, and land -> money was made available for new welfare programs
– Prohibiting child labor– Making education obligatory for all children
1970’s: two strands of liberalism
Classical / conservative / economic / utilitarian liberalism
New / progressive / social liberalism
Different takes on liberalism
Same concepts, other meanings?• Freedom• Tolerance • Role of the state• Responsibility: citizenship or take care of
yourself
Liberalism in Indonesia
• Where and how do you see liberalism represented?
• Liberal ‘celebrities’, old and new? - Sutan Syahrir - Eduard Douwes Dekker / Multatuli
• Politics?• Public opinion,media?• Civil society?