My latest quest for information has been on the subject of Classical Liberalism thanks to Eric's inspiration. I've read some of the works of Juan Pina and have read the above linked article written by Amy H. Sturgis of the LockeSmith Institute. I have spent thru the years a great deal of time reading the Federalist Papers as well as many of the writings of the Founding Fathers.
I found Sturgis's article very interesting, especially since she clearly states from the beginning that there are differing views on what and and who could be termed a Classic Liberal.
One of the primary reasons I was interested in the Life, Liberty, Property Community is the same reason I wanted to be selected as a writer on Watch Blog; these opportunities challenge me to be not only the best blogger I can be but allow me to learn from others that have different areas of expertise.
If you have a favorite web article or book that you feel is particularly important on the topic of Classic Liberalism, I would love it if you would share this either by email or in the comments. If you agree or disagree with the Sturgis article I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.
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5 comments:
Other than saying the Federalist Papers are an awesome read, I can't really help much.
What, in your opinion, is Classical Liberalism? What do you mean when you refer to that?
From an extreme perspective, Jesus Christ and Buddha were both liberals of their times and they're both often considered "classic," thus they could be classic liberals. But, somehow, I doubt they are Classic Liberals.
By Sturgis definition, I gaurantee you I'm not a Classic Liberal. (Yes, I know...that's not a big surprise.)
Though, I must say, it sounds like a good idea, except for one pesky little problem...the natural human tendency to screw other people over to get what you want. Other than that...
Stephanie, I'm not sure what my definition of Classic Liberalism would be. Nor am I saying I think I am one, either. It's an area I'm trying to learn more about.
Though I can say I am not sure I would define either Jesus or Buddha as Classic Liberals.
I would recommend that anyone calling themselves a "classical liberal" aquaint themselves with John Stuart Mill's work.
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/m#a1705
An incomplete but nevertheless useful collection of Mill's work.
One thing that stuck with me throughout high school, college and beyond into current discussions, that has remained a constant for over 40 years was Mills persuasive argument that truth has nothing to fear from confrontation with falsehood; that an argument between a truth and a falsehood can only strengthen the truth, no matter the immediate outcome of the confrontation.
Now THAT'S classic liberalism. Let ALL the positions have their say.
As the prototypical liberal political thinker, Mill would be a good place for those with seminal liberal _feelings_ to hone their liberal thinking in ways that modern liberalism (and its hijackers in the faux liberals more populous in politics and media) just is not suited to teach.
And Lisa (and Stephanie), you are quite right that neither Jesus nor Buddha would fit the order of "Classic Liberal". That is a distinctly Millsian position, since the political positions that are classically liberal are best defined (and pretty much first articulated) by him.
BTW, Jesus was by no means liberal. If anything, he was radically conservative and railed often against the corruption of the ancient Hebrew faith by Saducees and Pharisees and their ilk. His o=bjection, for example, to the use of tghe temple for commercial trade was a classically _conservative_ objection. A lot more there.
Buddha? Not at all _politically_ liberal, and as for religiously... well, not so much liberal as simply different to the Hinduism and other religions that surrounded him.
Careful classification helps here. Classic Liberalism was a specific political philosophical outgrowth of Utilitarianism.
BTW, the Founders and Framers of the U.S. were NEITHER classic liberals NOR classic conservatives. Those movements (and their underlying philosophies) are pretty much 19th century phenomena.
I applaud your search for (for lack of a better term) your political identity/philosophy. I have come to prefer calling myself a classical liberal conservative.
:-)
Thanks David, I appreciate the link. I would have responded sooner but blogspot being down made that impossible.
I don't necessarily believe I am a classical liberal, however I am intrigued by alot of what Eric and some of the others on his blog and the Liberty Papers have written so I wanted to research this more.
I'd probably be a classically liberal constitutional type libertarian (Yes almost a mutt if there was a that category)
:-)
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