The System of Liberty
Themes in the History of Classical Liberalism
Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
| Author: | George H. Smith | ISBN: | 9781107357297 |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press | Publication: | April 22, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Cambridge University Press | Language: | English |
| Author: | George H. Smith |
| ISBN: | 9781107357297 |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Publication: | April 22, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Cambridge University Press |
| Language: | English |
Liberal individualism, or 'classical liberalism' as it is often called, refers to a political philosophy in which liberty plays the central role. This book demonstrates a conceptual unity within the manifestations of classical liberalism by tracing the history of several interrelated and reinforcing themes. Concepts such as order, justice, rights and freedom have imparted unity to this diverse political ideology by integrating context and meaning. However, they have also sparked conflict, as classical liberals split on a number of issues, such as legitimate exceptions to the 'presumption of liberty', the meaning of 'the public good', natural rights versus utilitarianism, the role of the state in education, and the rights of resistance and revolution. This book explores these conflicts and their implications for contemporary liberal and libertarian thought.
Liberal individualism, or 'classical liberalism' as it is often called, refers to a political philosophy in which liberty plays the central role. This book demonstrates a conceptual unity within the manifestations of classical liberalism by tracing the history of several interrelated and reinforcing themes. Concepts such as order, justice, rights and freedom have imparted unity to this diverse political ideology by integrating context and meaning. However, they have also sparked conflict, as classical liberals split on a number of issues, such as legitimate exceptions to the 'presumption of liberty', the meaning of 'the public good', natural rights versus utilitarianism, the role of the state in education, and the rights of resistance and revolution. This book explores these conflicts and their implications for contemporary liberal and libertarian thought.
