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?