Classical liberalism
1. root ideology of
United
States
a.
minimal government
b.
public/private divide
c.
negative liberty stressed--"freedom from interference"
2. reflected the material
conditions
of US
a. room
for
expansion, private property ownership
b.
economic
& social mobility--"the American Dream" reality
A. evolution into Welfare State
Liberalism (ideology most reflected in current conditions)
minimal
govt----------------large, interventionist govt.
free market
capitalism-----govt.-regulated & stimulated economy
private domain (free
of govt)----govt. involvement in private domain
negative
liberty---------------neg. liberty balanced w/ positive freedom
B. Why did it change?
1. historical circumstances
a. monopolies in 1890’s
b. great Depression
1. new govt role created
a. stimulate jobs
b. provide social services
c. regulate industries
d. regulate economy “Keynesian economics”
2. new role for govt--“servant of people”
a. FDR’s Campaign Address
b. keep businesses competitive
1. control power of large corporations
2. stimulate economy, monitor the market
c. preserve and protect free enterprise system
d. keep “equal opportunity” possible (most important value)
1. mergers prevent competition
2. keep things fair for small businesses
e. Helmsley article: for market to work- "shared risks and
rewards"
1. w/o regulation, workers take risks, owners get rewards
2. voluntary compliance will not work
3.
self-interest is not perfect good- must also be controlled
a. corporate malfeance & corruptibility
b. govt plays 'watchdog' role- prevents businesses from
preying on consumers/workers
quote=”widespread poverty and concentrated wealth can not long exist side by side in a democracy”
3. civil
rights movement, 1960’s
a. natl govt would ensure equal treatment for all citizens
b. ensure American Dream still a reality
1. govt. ensured economic and social mobility
2. competition based only on ability & effort, not economic status,
race, or sex
3. ensure “level playing field” for all
c. overcome historical discrimination
1. prejudice exists in "private" society
2.
public
oversight to ensure equality of treatment
a. govt contracts must advertise to broad range of businesses
b. Civil Rights Commission to appeal to, if treated unfairly
4. safety net created
a. entitlement programs
1. recognition that many actions beyond control of those who suffer
consequences
2. belief that every citizen should have certain quality of life
3. optimistic view of human nature-trust in human reason, enhanced
freedom to achieve
a. headstart programs
b. financial aid for college
4. concern for ripple effect of widespread failure
b. extension of social security
1. no senior should live below poverty line
2. Medicare-health care needs of aged, drug benefits for seniors
5. LBJ’s
“War
on Poverty” (1960's)
a.
designed
to ensure positive freedom and equal opportunity for all
1. opportunity should not be limited by economic status
2. keeps results based on meritocracy and not social inequality
b. belief
that every sector of society should share in riches & opportunity
1. lessen gap
between
rich/poor to keep everyone in same society
c.
community functions taken over
1. necessary breakdown of community networks
a. child support enforcement (ex.)
b. policing of parents
2. cannot presume strong
moral
community exists
3. welfare functions too massive for private community
a. ex. Hurricane
Katrina
relief too big for private sector
b.
businesses/homes
need serious help to rebuild
6. regulates elements in “public
domain”
a.
market, alone, will not give us what we need, only what we want
1. environmental regulation (clean air, water, pollution limits)
2. public television, radio, newspapers
3. subsidizes mass transit systems
4. focus on the
"commons",
public square
b. also responsible for upkeep of infrastructure, ex. bridges,
dams, roads, etc.
7. values for welfare state
liberalism balances individual freedom w/ equality of
opportunity
a.
freedom-negative liberty combined with positive freedom
b.
equality-govt. ensured equality of opportunity, unequal outcomes
c.
justice:
meritocracy with some money re-distributed for social justice
d. community:
government
takes over some community functions to ensure that all Americans are
cared for. (publicly-defined, too)
8. view of government--positive force as
“servant” of public
a. allow
citizens to be free to explore what they want
b. neutral
in
terms of morality ("lamp post" govt)
c.government
role to ensures political & social equality, economic freedom
what is the same as classical liberalism?
a. govt
remaining neutral in terms of private choices
b.optimistic
view of human nature (positive view of potential of humans to make
their
own decisions and choices)
c. belief
in
importance and value of competition and meritocracy
d.
importance
of keeping “equality of opportunity” a valid belief
e. effort
to
ensure that political domain and resources are open to all citizens
equally - "commons"
f. belief
that
disputes can be resolved through use of human reason and debate.
g. support
for
human rights of all individuals
9. problems:
a. if govt takes over community functions, further breaks down bonds
1. those who give-no control, resentment
2. those who receive-humiliated by depersonalization
3. results in govt. intrusion into private affairs
4. since morally neutral, no judgment of actions
a. consequence--doesn’t seem to condemn immorality
b. seems to undermine moral communities
1. school prayer unconstitutional
2. sex education in schools
b. positive
freedom always means a diminishing of neg liberty for others
1. ex. anti-smoking policies
c. justice --keep most of what you earn, some redistributed for social
justice
1. rewards unproductive behavior
2. punishes productive
d.
govt subsidies unfairly advantage some industries or businesses
1. tends to
benefit
large businesses at expense of small ones
a. corporate welfare
b. farm subsidies
e.
government cannot be as innovative as private sector
1. too slow and bureaucratic
2. builds in 'waste'- concern about universal health
care, ex." Healthy Wisconsin"