DEMOCRACY AND LIBERALISM ‘Give me the liberty know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience.’ John Milton ‘Laissez-faire, laissez-passer.’ Unknown

Democracy and Liberalism the individual – cast in terms of natural rights – freedom and equality early liberalism directed against 18th century absolutism and many feudal practices laissez-faire capitalism middle class freedom of movement and trade – against political and economic constraints appealed to a large sector of society – new risings classes, peasants, workers – against the landed aristocracy, while also being opposed by the monarchy and the church The Three Cores of Liberalism Moral – freedom, dignity and life – what does it mean to be human? Economic – rights and freedoms of individuals to produce and to consume, to enter contractual relations, to buy/sell through a market economy, to satisfy wants in one’s own way, to dispose of one’s property and labour as one decides Political – the right to vote, to participate, to decide what kind of government to elect, and what kind of policies to follow. Think: representative democracy.

Adam Smith (1723-1790) and The Wealth of Nations (1776) the ‘bible’ of liberal economic theory… fundamental economic laws exist – such as the law of supply and demand – that provide self-regulation of the economy favoured a limited state staunchest supporter of a worldwide free trade ‘Divine Hand of Providence’ free competition and interplay of economic interests and forces would lead to social and economic harmony….laissez-faire

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1831) and Utilitarianism Every object can satisfy a want This is subjective – For some, a poem has a greater ‘utility’ than a hot dog. For others, the hot dog comes first. The ‘market’ decides…. Our purpose is to please ourselves and avoid pain But – pain is inevitable – hence: Self-interest gives way to enlightened self-interest

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) and Enlightened Self-Interest On Liberty (1859) Moral individualism – links it to requirements of education and enlightenment What is ‘Enlightened Self-Interest?’ Someone who forgos an immediate pleasure in order to derive a greater one later Same criteria applies to groups or classes of people – If we act in terms of enlightened self-interest, we may consider concessions to other groups or classes than risk the loss of all we have Some pleasures are better than others because of their intrinsic quality, not because of the particular pleasure they give to an individual – So……..A poem has more utility than a hot dog?!?! But how can the people be led to make the right decision? Education – Obligation of the state to establish education, and…. It is the function of education to enlighten.....transforming an essentially hedonistic society into a body of civic-minded individuals…. who would put the general good above their own particular pleasure

John Locke (1632-1704) Two Treatises on Government (1693) the state is the custodian of natural rights and is founded upon the consent of the government in order to protect these rights – life, liberty, and property. contract theory led to the elaboration of institutions of limited state and a limited gov’t Representative Gov’t political authority derives from the people In the British tradition – parliamentary sovereignty and majority rule Must restrain from violating people’s natural rights Elitist? Applied to only those who held property Middle class Landed Aristocracy Note: It was only much later, when the vote was expanded to ultimately to all citizens, that the problem of how to limit the majority assumed particular importance Constitutionalism – (Think: US Constitution) Emphasis on restraining political power of majority rule on individual Separation of powers = one power checks another idea of limitations is more important than popular sovereignty

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) The Social Contract (1762) argued for the sovereignty of the people the ‘general will’ of the people is ‘inalienable, infallible, and indestructible’ Rousseau believed in direct government by the people - no restraints on popular will Nobody could really represent anybody else....representative government? Meh. More like uninhibited majority rule….. So, how is the ‘general will expressed? What does it look like? Nationalism?

The State and the Individual Liberalism as an antistate philosophy? Role of the state is to protect the individual – On Liberty (1859) That every restraint imposed by the state is bad That even if the individual cannot do certain things well, the state should not do them for fear that it might undermine the individual’s independence and initiative Increase of the power of the state is bad and prejudicial to individual freedom Achievements: The Expansion of Liberalism Slavery was abolished Religious disabilities against holding public office abandoned Freedom of press, speech and association granted Public Education Universal Suffrage Constitution-making Representative gov’t became increasingly accepted throughout Europe (not Russia!) Free(r) Trade Self-determination

THE CONSERVATIVE TRADITION “When the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service. They will become flatterers instead of legislators; the instruments, not the guides, of the people” Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France, 1790

A defense of the status quo? Historical Roots of Conservatism Our society today is based on liberal ideas and values liberalism is the dominant political ideology but not everyone buys in, and not everyone bought in during the Enlightenment landed aristocracy rural groups, those who live in small towns, the old, and the uneducated Why? Is Conservatism more a state of mind than a political ideology? to conserve – what? property status A response to the French Revolution? power a way of life A defense of the status quo?

The Seven Pillars of Conservative Thought? The logic of conservative ideology – Individual liberties are more important than ‘equality’ Against the concentration of power in the hands of anybody, especially people Insist on a hierarchy of groups and classes and a cooperation among them Respect for tradition and ‘inheritance’ Religion, with its reverence for authority, is dear to conservatives Distrust ‘reason’ and the propriety of using it as a solution for social problems Elitist – Some are better equipped than others to lead, some are superior, while some (generally the many) are inferior

Edmund Burke Classic Conservatism: The British Model Political Society Idea is that society is a tapestry, a fabric woven of different threads, so everyone depends on everyone else…..but hierarchical and with social inequality Political Authority Disagree with ‘contract’ theory of state propounded by liberals We are born into society like our father and forefathers – we do not make it Change Change should be gradual, not revolutionary Leadership ‘Natural leaders’ – men, or women of talent, high birth, and property – should govern and the many should follow Paternalistic social welfare?

American Conservative Tradition self-made man s person’s worth lies in achievement, not birth, inheritance or status the Constitution limitations on direct democracy & emphasis on law opposed to majoritarianism and reason restraints placed on both government and the people ‘wisdom of the framers’ The 2nd amendment to the US constitution? Economics economic liberalism or paternalistic capitalism? free market, free enterprise hostility to big government, government spending and high taxes Moral Issues religious values? law and order