The ideals and practices of Liberalism were extremely influential throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. An outcome of the Enlightenment; the introduction of Liberalism brought forth new ideas about the individual, and the freedom they could possess. Since middle and lower classes still had no say in their government; societal norms were a large portion of what Liberalism targeted as it promoted individual freedom, personal liberty, limitation of censorship, equality before the law and expanded, though not universal, suffrage (based on various degrees of property ownership.) The standing social system was viewed as corrupt, and the citizens were tired of living in conformity. Each ruler tried to unite their people by enforcing
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Political Liberalism favors government by consent and elaborated principles of popular sovereignty, constitutionalism, and tolerance of divergent points of view. The lower classes of society were huge advocates for a change in government since they had no say in who ruled over them, and they also wanted the freedom to express their feelings without facing consequences. Economic Liberalism, emphasized laissez-faire of the market and free trade. Followers wanted to limit the power of the government (especially in terms of regulating the economy). They also favored a dismantling of the mercantilist system, the elimination of tariffs, and the reduction of government rules and regulations that inhibited or hampered commercial and industrial activity. The historical development of liberalism has been a movement from mistrust of the state’s power. Meaning that a state’s citizens feel the power tends to be misused. The distribution of wealth, for example, deprived some people of an equal opportunity to live freely. This impacted suffrage in the way that only property owners could vote. The liberal solution to the problem of limited freedom within society was the separation of powers. The separation of powers would lead to a more balanced government, ultimately giving the common man more rights. Another solution the liberalists thought of was periodic elections. Similar to the United States, they would elect new …show more content…
The concepts of international trade and laissez-faire would restrict the government from interfering in economic affairs. Adam Smith, author of The Wealth of Nations, stated: “Free trade benefits all parties because competition leads to the production of more and better goods at lower prices. Leaving individuals free to pursue their self-interest...” The restriction of government would greatly improve the standing of Europe’s economy. Liberalists worked hard to end the mercantilist system as well as end tariffs. The mercantilist system was the concept that government would regulate the economy, but the economy was only hindered by the government; resulting in liberalists to step in and change the policy. Tariffs were a tax on imported or exported goods, but this tax was often overly expensive for the product. A reference can be drawn with the United States when Britain taxed tea exports to a ridiculous amount, causing the infamous Boston Tea Party. As a result of the corrupt economy, capitalism replaced numerous economies of Europe, and the middle class was left free to employ its people by expanding the means of production and increasing societies
Political Liberalism favors government by consent and elaborated principles of popular sovereignty, constitutionalism, and tolerance of divergent points of view. The lower classes of society were huge advocates for a change in government since they had no say in who ruled over them, and they also wanted the freedom to express their feelings without facing consequences. Economic Liberalism, emphasized laissez-faire of the market and free trade. Followers wanted to limit the power of the government (especially in terms of regulating the economy). They also favored a dismantling of the mercantilist system, the elimination of tariffs, and the reduction of government rules and regulations that inhibited or hampered commercial and industrial activity. The historical development of liberalism has been a movement from mistrust of the state’s power. Meaning that a state’s citizens feel the power tends to be misused. The distribution of wealth, for example, deprived some people of an equal opportunity to live freely. This impacted suffrage in the way that only property owners could vote. The liberal solution to the problem of limited freedom within society was the separation of powers. The separation of powers would lead to a more balanced government, ultimately giving the common man more rights. Another solution the liberalists thought of was periodic elections. Similar to the United States, they would elect new …show more content…
The concepts of international trade and laissez-faire would restrict the government from interfering in economic affairs. Adam Smith, author of The Wealth of Nations, stated: “Free trade benefits all parties because competition leads to the production of more and better goods at lower prices. Leaving individuals free to pursue their self-interest...” The restriction of government would greatly improve the standing of Europe’s economy. Liberalists worked hard to end the mercantilist system as well as end tariffs. The mercantilist system was the concept that government would regulate the economy, but the economy was only hindered by the government; resulting in liberalists to step in and change the policy. Tariffs were a tax on imported or exported goods, but this tax was often overly expensive for the product. A reference can be drawn with the United States when Britain taxed tea exports to a ridiculous amount, causing the infamous Boston Tea Party. As a result of the corrupt economy, capitalism replaced numerous economies of Europe, and the middle class was left free to employ its people by expanding the means of production and increasing societies