/r/Classical_Liberals

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Classical liberalism is a political ideology and a branch of liberalism which advocates civil liberties and political freedom with representative democracy under the rule of law, and emphasizes economic freedoms found in economic liberalism which is also called free market capitalism.

Introduction

Classical liberalism is a political ideology and a branch of liberalism which advocates civil liberties and political freedom with representative democracy under the rule of law, and emphasizes economic freedoms found in economic liberalism which is also called free market capitalism.

Classical liberalism was first coined in the early 19th century, but was built on ideas of the previous century. It was a response to urbanization, and to the Industrial Revolution in Europe and the United States.

Classical Liberalism generally doesn't include any socialist components (contrary to Social Liberalism) and so favors an individual's ability to distinguish themselves through hard work rather than substantial wealth redistribution. Classical Liberalism applies reasonable limits on liberty (contrary to Libertarianism) where pure individualism would be excessive for a properly functioning society.

Classical Liberalism Defined

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/r/Classical_Liberals

10,564 Subscribers

3

Liberal democracy

Hello can someone help me? Cause I've seen people display liberal democracy and democratic liberalism as 2 seperate ideologies. So if they are can someone please explaine the difference 🙏

5 Comments
2024/11/30
16:05 UTC

36

What does Classical Liberals think about the Russian invasion of Ukraine?

Hey, I just joined this sub after getting banned from r/libertarian for saying that Ukraine has the right to defend themselves and should be supported to strike back.

Do you support Ukraine? How? What principles is your stance based on?

93 Comments
2024/11/22
15:16 UTC

8

Do you agree with Adam Smith on landlords? If so, how do you implement policy that deals with the issue Smith presents but still respects property rights?

Adam Smith is considered the father of capitalism, but his opinion on landlords is one today we would consider very anti-capitalist:

As soon as the land of any country has all become private property, the landlords, like all other men, love to reap where they never sowed, and demand a rent even for its natural produce**.** The wood of the forest, the grass of the field, and all the natural fruits of the earth, which, when land was in common, cost the labourer only the trouble of gathering them, come, even to him, to have an additional price fixed upon them. He must then pay for the licence to gather them; and must give up to the landlord a portion of what his labour either collects or produces. This portion, or, what comes to the same thing, the price of this portion, constitutes the rent of land, and in the price of the greater part of commodities makes a third component part.

His idea is essentially that since a landlord is not responsible for the value of the land that he should have no right to it. The issue I have with this idea is that I don't see how this doesn't violate property rights and free trade. If you have the right to your property and the right to trade that property with others voluntarily for their own property, then how can you justify stopping people from trading for land and then trading with others their ability to labor on that land in exchange for a wage?

6 Comments
2024/11/17
23:46 UTC

22

What do you think about these proposed solutions?

19 Comments
2024/11/15
21:10 UTC

16

What do you think the U.S.'s immigration policy should look like?

It's often said that Classical Liberals are for "open borders" however I've seen some conflict on what exactly that means. I've seen it said that open borders is literally what it sounds like, all it takes to become a citizen is to set foot in U.S. soil. I've also seen it said that that's a misconception and open borders aren't as open as people make it seem. What do you think thr U.S.'s immigration policy should look like?

26 Comments
2024/11/15
03:32 UTC

52

OP said this like it’s a bad thing, but it’s amazing news. Fire every useless federal employee please and thank you.

66 Comments
2024/11/14
05:19 UTC

1

What does this sub think of the Chilean Pension system?

https://www.pionline.com/industry-voices/commentary-chilean-retirement-system-good-idea-went-badly-wrong

I was thinking of ways to fix my home country's (Japan) gov't spending problem and privatized pensions seemed to be a possible remedy.

2 Comments
2024/11/14
03:47 UTC

1

Looking for an article detailing Karl Marx's predictions

Hey everyone,

I am looking for an article, or book chapter, which specifically details Karl Marx's predictions and how they turned out.

Thank you and have a great day !

0 Comments
2024/11/12
15:38 UTC

11

Can Classical Liberalism use populism to it's advantage?

Populism seems to be the thing right now. Personally, I view populism like I view clickbait, so long as the promise is delivered on, I don't think it's a bad thing. The issue is that populism tends to rely on telling people the goverment will fix your problems, which is antithetical to liberalism. Is there anyway Clasical Liberalism could use this popularity of populism to its advantage?

17 Comments
2024/11/09
21:03 UTC

36

Why is Classical Liberalism considered a right wing ideology?

From Wikipedia:

Generally, the left wing is characterized by an emphasis on "ideas such as freedom, equality, fraternity, rights, progress, reform and internationalism" while the right wing is characterized by an emphasis on "notions such as authority, hierarchy, order, duty, tradition, reaction and nationalism".

Many people would consider classical liberalism to be right wing, but it seems to fit the actual definition for a left wing ideology far more. Why is it so associated with the right?

55 Comments
2024/11/08
03:38 UTC

15

What do you expect from Trump’s incoming presidency?

With Trump being the nominee, what are you expecting the next four years? Good things? Bad things? Will he do anything at all?

67 Comments
2024/11/06
18:08 UTC

0

The best part of election day?

Is that I always get a nice of map states to avoid. It's usually the south.

What do you think the best part of election day is?

5 Comments
2024/11/06
04:47 UTC

25

It's tiring that this happens every cycle

Greetings,

Never posted here before, somewhat of a lurker, though I feel this time I have something to talk about. Might be a bit of rant so I apologize in advance, also didn't know whether to file this under discussion or opinion.

Every election cycle third party voters and people that choose not to vote are always routinely criticized for not "giving up and voting for big parties already in power". It's annoying to go through the same shtick every election cycle. I've heard every insult and argument about now, and my least favorite has to be the "lesser of two evils" one.

Beating a dead horse saying this, but with continued attitudes like this the duopoly will never be broken.

Obviously posting this on Election Day and some content of my rant means I'm American, but if anyone else has similar experiences, American or not, akin to this.... well.... then it'd be good to know that it's not just Americans that have to put up with this.

Thanks

25 Comments
2024/11/05
15:13 UTC

0

If freedom begets freedom like money begets money, why vote Oliver?

5 Comments
2024/11/05
12:01 UTC

8

Economic freedom is not merely abstract, "it's about real people enduring the consequences of real choices made by government officials"

Excerpts from a column by Veronique de Rugy ("Which Nations Are the Freest, and Why Should We Care?"), written to cover the Fraser Institute's 2024 Economic Freedom of the World index:

Economic freedom isn't just some wonky concept debated in academic halls. It's about whether a government protects property rights or seizes assets at will; whether regulations are sensible or suffocating; whether you can trade freely or face a maze of obstructions; whether your money holds its value or your purchasing power gets eroded by government mismanagement; and whether you can count on courts to enforce contracts fairly...

The freest economies enjoy an average GDP per capita about 7.6 times greater than that of the 25% least economically free places. They have cleaner environments, better health care outcomes, and longer life expectancies — by a lot. Even the poorest citizens of free countries fare better than the middle classes in economically repressive nations...

[E]conomic freedom isn't chiefly about profits; it's about prosperity for ordinary people...[We] shouldn't wish economic oppression on our worst enemies. For example, inhabitants of the 25% least economically free countries experience infant mortality rates nine times greater than those who live in the freest 25%. Extreme poverty is 30 times likelier. Child labor is routine, as is illiteracy, especially among girls...

History shows that economically free societies are more resilient and adaptable. They respond to challenges through decentralized problem-solving rather than central planning, unleashing the creative potential of millions rather than relying on the blindered purview of a few regulators...

Let's remember that economic freedom isn't about abstract ideology — it's about real people enduring the consequences of real choices made by government officials about their lives...[I]t measures human potential, and that's something worth protecting.

How important is economic freedom to you? Should it get credit for the prosperity of rich, clean, and healthy nations?

The column, citing the index, also says "we're now witnessing a global retreat" from economic freedom. Do you agree?

1 Comment
2024/11/04
14:56 UTC

5

Civil Rights?

What are the classical liberals view on civil rights. Do they support civil rights?

7 Comments
2024/11/03
19:26 UTC

0

r/take_back_tech needs moderators and is currently available for request

2 Comments
2024/11/01
00:13 UTC

1

Is economic interventionism justified so long as it removes barriers to individual freedom and no more?

7 Comments
2024/10/29
20:52 UTC

16

(Ik its not a serious topicbut) here is a design I made for classical liberalism

0 Comments
2024/10/28
19:35 UTC

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