POL101: Introduction to the Real World of Politics 10.19.

2022
Professor C. Jung Vaani Thavalingam

LIBERALISM: FREEDOM AND EQUALITY

1. Origins – Grew out of a struggle between parliament and the Stuart Kings of England in 17 th Century
1.1. Culminated to the Glorious Revolution of 1688 – Established the supremacy (political power) of the parliament >
monarchy and established public authority (previously “God” would decide English rulers)
a. The authority to rule became provisional – Public can designate authority to real and remove authority from the
sovereign
b. Sovereign must rule under the law of the land, laws made by parliament and interpreted by courts – laws now
apply to rulers as well
2. Principles of Classical Liberalism – All related to the broad concept of freedom
2.1. Personal Freedom --- Absence of coercion in the various realms of life. Essentially, the right to do what you want w/o
interference – to the extent of it not inhibiting another person(s)’s freedom.
2.1.1.Negative Conceptions of Freedom: Implies no positive obligation on the part of the state and imply that freedom
naturally exists; the government has no right to interfere w/ freedom
Includes freedom free speech, fr. religion, right private property, and political opposition
2.2. Limited Government – State is an instrument that serves a particular function in society
2.2.1.Considers the role of the government to be v. limited. w/ only two purposes: protect political community from
external enemies and protecting political community from internal threats
2.2.2.ClassLib developed in the backdrop of many religious wars motivated by connecting religions and state power.
(St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, Paris, August 1572)
2.3. Equality of Right – Everyone must abide by the same laws and the state enforces those law impartially
2.3.1. Law is blind to differences in status and wealth; w/ historical text, radically egalitarian principle
2.3.2. Limited to sphere of law, did not apply to economic equality because producing economic equality required
redistribution, and redistribution required violations on private property
2.4. Consent of the Governed –- Lodges sovereignty in the people and the authority and legitimacy of government
depends on the consent and the affirmation of the people who are governed.
2.4.1. Political participation, once granted, was not equal as the definitive “people” granted sovereignty only refer to
male property owners.
3. Liberalism vs Democracy and “Liberal Democracy”
3.1. Democracy is about locating power in the people; radical idea as it extended past traditional powers
3.2. Liberalism is about setting limits on power; a conservative idea as it limits the scope of things that can actually be
decided by the popular vote (through devices like constitutions, Bill of Rights and the rule of law.
3.2.1. Purpose of Constitution: Limits what democratic majorities and elected leaders can do
3.2.2. Liberal constitutions generally enshrine freedom of religion – free to practice a religion of one’s choice in the way
one’s religion dictates – religion is outside of the public sphere meaning gov. aren’t permitted to interfere w/
religion [Separation of the Church and State]
Example: Case of Anti-Liberalism: Employment Division v. Smith and Ishaq v. Canada
4. Classical Liberalism [right-leaning] vs 19th Century Reform/Modern-day Liberalism [left-leaning]
4.1. Reform liberals argue that freedom is not a natural pre-existing condition for everyone, and instead had to be enabled
4.1.1.Connection between the ideology of liberalism and the Liberal Party of Canada:
LPC historically stood for both types of liberalism; initially as the ClassLib w/ three principles: representative
government, individual rights and free market. Around WWII saw a new phase of liberalism in LPC – concerned w/
social justice and progressive policies:
1940s – PM Mackenzie King introduced mother’s allowance and an old age pension; 1960s – PM Pearson introduced
Canadian Pension Plan and universal healthcare; 1980s – PM Trudeau introduced Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
Looking at the contemporary Canadian political spectrum, we can say that the Conservative Pary reflects the ideals of
classical liberalism and parties like the LPC and NDP reflect the ideals of reform liberalism