Modern Vs. Classical Liberals: the Role of the State
When it comes to the role of the state in society, modern liberals and classical liberals have differing views on the extent to which the state should be involved in the lives of its citizens. While both groups believe in the importance of individual rights and freedoms, they differ in their beliefs about the role of government in promoting and protecting these rights. In this essay, we will explore the similarities and differences between modern and classical liberals in terms of their views on the role of the state.
Classical Liberalism
Classical liberalism emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries as a response to the absolute power of monarchs and the oppressive policies of the state. Classical liberals believed in limited government intervention in the economy and society, and they advocated for individual rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and property rights. According to classical liberals, the role of the state should be restricted to protecting these rights and providing a legal framework for individuals to pursue their own interests.
Classical liberals such as John Locke and Adam Smith argued that the state should only intervene in cases where individuals were not able to protect their rights on their own. They believed that a minimal state was necessary to prevent individuals from infringing on the rights of others and to ensure a level playing field in the economy. In this view, the state's primary role was to maintain law and order and to enforce contracts, while leaving individuals free to pursue their own interests without interference.
Modern Liberalism
Modern liberalism emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries as a response to the social and economic inequalities created by industrialization and capitalism. Modern liberals believe that the state has a more active role to play in promoting social justice and equality, and they advocate for government intervention in the economy and society to address these issues. According to modern liberals, the state should be involved in providing social welfare programs, regulating the economy, and promoting equality of opportunity for all citizens.
Modern liberals such as John Maynard Keynes and Franklin D. Roosevelt argued that the state had a responsibility to intervene in the economy to prevent economic crises and to promote full employment. They believed that government spending and regulation were necessary to ensure a fair distribution of wealth and to protect the most vulnerable members of society. In this view, the state's role was not just to protect individual rights, but also to promote the common good and ensure a more equitable society for all.
Agreements and Disagreements
While modern and classical liberals both believe in the importance of individual rights and freedoms, they differ in their views on the role of the state in promoting and protecting these rights. Classical liberals argue for a limited role for the state, with an emphasis on individual responsibility and minimal government intervention. They believe that the state should only intervene in cases where individuals are not able to protect their rights on their own, and that government interference in the economy and society is likely to do more harm than good.
On the other hand, modern liberals argue for a more active role for the state, with an emphasis on social justice and equality. They believe that government intervention is necessary to address the social and economic inequalities created by capitalism, and that the state has a responsibility to promote the common good and ensure a more equitable society for all. Modern liberals argue that the state should be involved in providing social welfare programs, regulating the economy, and promoting equality of opportunity for all citizens.
Despite these differences, modern and classical liberals do agree on some aspects of the role of the state. Both groups believe that the state has a responsibility to protect individual rights and freedoms, and to provide a legal framework for individuals to pursue their own interests. They also agree that the state should maintain law and order and enforce contracts to prevent individuals from infringing on the rights of others.
In conclusion, modern and classical liberals have differing views on the role of the state in society. While classical liberals argue for a limited role for the state and emphasize individual responsibility, modern liberals advocate for a more active role for the state in promoting social justice and equality. Despite these differences, both groups agree on the importance of individual rights and freedoms, and the need for the state to protect these rights and provide a legal framework for individuals to pursue their own interests.
Modern vs. Classical Liberals: The Role of the State. (2025, Jul 26). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/modern-vs-classical-liberals-the-role-of-the-state/
