Our stance on fundamental issues and social topics is based on a principled approach to Classical Liberalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Classical liberalism?
Classical liberalism is about maximizing individual freedom within a framework of rules that protect everyone’s rights. It supports limited government to prevent tyranny and excessive control, free markets to encourage economic prosperity and innovation, and the rule of law to ensure fairness and equality before the law. Its core values are individual liberty, free markets, the rule of law, and individualism.
While maximizing individual freedom is the goal, classical liberals understand that a framework of law is essential to define and protect those very freedoms. Laws are necessary to prevent individuals from infringing upon the rights of others, whether through direct violence, fraud, or actions that have significant negative externalities, such as widespread pollution. The challenge lies in striking a balance between individual liberty and the necessary regulations that ensure a just and stable society.
Is Classical liberalism a left or right-wing philosophy?
Historically, classical liberalism emerged as a challenge to traditional hierarchies and monarchies, advocating for individual rights and limited government. In this context, it was considered a progressive, even revolutionary, ideology.
Classical liberalism’s emphasis on individual liberty and free markets can lead to policies that are sometimes considered “left-wing” (e.g., support for civil rights, opposition to censorship) and sometimes “right-wing” (e.g., lower taxes, deregulation). The focus is not on adhering to a particular side of the spectrum, but on consistently applying core principles to specific issues. Therefore, it’s best understood as a distinct ideology rather than simply a left or right-wing one.
Does Classical liberalism support a minimum wage?
The short answer is “Yes.”
Classical liberals generally believe that free markets, driven by voluntary exchange and competition, are the most efficient and just way to determine wages and allocate resources. We believe that individuals should have the freedom to negotiate their own terms of employment and that government interference in these agreements should be minimized.
However, the ideal of a perfectly functioning free market is often disrupted by real-world factors. When unchecked corporate greed, monopoly power, or exploitative practices create significant power imbalances, the equality of opportunity for low-skilled workers is severely compromised. In such circumstances, certain interventions become necessary to protect these workers and ensure a more equitable distribution of economic power.
These necessary interventions can include but are not limited to: carefully designed minimum wage laws that prevent wages from falling below a subsistence level; earned income tax credits that supplement the earnings of low-wage workers without directly distorting market prices; and robust protection of workers’ rights to form and join unions, enabling them to collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions.
These policies are not ideal from a pure free-market perspective. However, when the conditions for a fair and competitive market are absent, they become necessary tools to mitigate the negative consequences of exploitation and ensure that all individuals have a reasonable opportunity to participate in the economy and improve their lives. The goal remains to empower individuals and promote free exchange wherever possible, but we recognize that sometimes, carefully targeted interventions are essential to safeguard the fundamental principles of equality and opportunity within a market system.
What is Individual Liberty?
Classical liberalism champions individual liberty as a fundamental right. This means individuals should be free to make their own choices and pursue their own goals, as long as they do not harm others. In practice, it means freedom of speech, religion, association, and the right to own property. It also promotes freedom from arbitrary government interference in personal and economic affairs.
Liberty does not mean you can do whatever you want:
Individual liberty is balanced by the principle of non-aggression. You are free to do as you please, but not to infringe on the rights of others. In other words, once you transgress someone else’s liberty you forfeit your own. In such a case the government has the power to come and in and subdue your rights to bring justice.
Personal Responsibility and Natural Consequences:
Classical liberals believe that with liberty comes responsibility. Individuals are accountable for their choices and actions. This approach treats humans as adults with the right to make their own decisions; likewise, their actions have causes and effects.
What about abortion? Is Classical liberalism pro-choice or pro-life?
The short answer is “Pro-choice with limitations.”
Liberalworks.com stance:
We support the original Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court in which abortion is a protected constitutional right, but with some restriction. Where the fetus matures and reaches viability, a concept with ongoing medical debate about the precise timing, abortion should be prohibited. This approach is based on the fact that during the second trimester of development, the fetus has a nervous system and beating heart. When it can survive outside the mother it is a living being.
We feel that second-trimester or “late term” abortions are permissible only under extreme circumstances where: (1) the life of the pregnant parent is threatened due to severe complications in pregnancy, and (2) the unborn child will likely not survive after birth because of a fetal developmental abnormality.
The Central Dilemma: Conflicting Rights
The core difficulty lies in the potential conflict between two fundamental rights:
- A woman’s right to bodily autonomy and self-determination: This aligns strongly with the classical liberal emphasis on individual liberty. It suggests that a woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body, including whether or not to continue a pregnancy.
- The right to life: This principle raises the question of when a fetus becomes a person with rights. If a fetus is considered a person from conception, then abortion would be seen as a violation of their right to life.
Different Classical Liberal Interpretations:
Given this inherent conflict, classical liberals can arrive at different conclusions:
- Pro-Choice Argument: Some classical liberals argue that the right to bodily autonomy is paramount. They contend that a woman’s right to control her own body outweighs any potential rights of the fetus, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy. They often emphasize that the government should not interfere in personal medical decisions.
- Pro-Life Argument: Other classical liberals argue that the right to life is the most fundamental right and that it should be protected from conception. They believe that the government has a responsibility to protect this right, even if it means restricting access to abortion.
- Focus on Consistency and Neutral Principles: Some classical liberals may focus on establishing a consistent and neutral principle to resolve the conflict. For example, they might argue that personhood begins at a certain stage of fetal development (e.g., viability) and that abortion should be restricted after that point. However, determining this point of personhood is itself a highly contested issue.
Limited Government and the Role of Law:
Regardless of their stance on the morality of abortion, most classical liberals would agree that the government’s role should be limited. They would likely oppose overly restrictive laws that completely ban abortion, as well as laws that compel women to have abortions. They would also likely emphasize the importance of due process and equal protection under the law.
In summary:
Classical liberalism does not provide a simple answer to the abortion question. The inherent conflict between individual liberty and the right to life leads to different interpretations within classical liberal thought. Some classical liberals are pro-choice, others are pro-life, and some focus on finding a consistent and neutral principle to resolve the conflict. However, they generally agree on the importance of limited government and the rule of law in this context.