Liberal politics. Report “Basic principles of liberalism”

" and "liberal" come from the Latin liberalis and literally mean "having to freedom." When we talk about a liberal as a supporter of a socio-political movement, it is assumed that this person stands on a platform that welcomes the deepening and development of political freedoms in the broadest sense of the word. As a rule, liberal ideology unites supporters of democratic parliamentarism, as well as those who stand for freedom of private entrepreneurial activity.

In everyday life, the label “liberal” is most often given to those who show unnecessary and inappropriate tolerance for other people’s behavior that violates generally accepted norms and rules. It is believed, for example, that excess in the upbringing of the younger generation negatively affects the development of a teenager’s personality. The public is often asked to put an end to liberalism in relation to criminals and persistent violators social norms.

in politics

Who can be classified as liberal in the field of activity? It's about about public figures who support and fully approve of the idea of ​​​​limiting any interference of government agencies in social relations. The main principles of the liberal value system were formed at a time when bourgeois relations based on free enterprise arose and strengthened in society.

A liberal considers personal, economic and political freedom to be the highest priority in social and political life. For a liberal, rights and freedoms become a kind of basis and starting point for the formation of a political position. According to liberal politicians, it is the free development of any social that makes it possible to build a truly democratic state.

The ideal of many Western politicians is liberal democracy. However, today there is little left in it of the former free-thinking and freethinking. The main emphasis of Western liberals is not so much on expanding the actual freedoms of citizens, but on removing restrictions that hinder the development of the private sector. Political scientists and sociologists note that Western traditions are penetrating more and more deeply into the economy, politics and culture of developing countries.

Liberalism- this is where the principle of limited intervention in social relations is implemented.

Liberal content public relations manifests itself in the presence of a system of pressure control organs political power designed to guarantee individual freedom and ensure the protection of citizens' rights. The basis of the system is private enterprise, organized on market principles.

The combination of liberal and democratic principles of social relations allows us to distinguish a political system called “ liberal democracy" Modern Western political scientists believe that this concept denotes an ideal that has not yet been realized, therefore they propose to designate the regimes of democratically developed countries with the term “Western polyarchy” (rule of the many). In the rest political systems being implemented liberal-authoritarian mode. In principle, we are talking only about a greater or lesser degree of manifestation in all political systems.

Liberalism and neoliberalism

As an independent ideological movement (worldview), liberalism arose in late XVII V. thanks to the works of such scientists as J. Locke, III. Montesquieu, J. Mill, A. Smith and others. The fundamental ideas and guidelines of classical liberalism were formulated in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen of 1789 and the French Constitution of 1791. The very concept of “liberalism” entered the socio-political lexicon at the beginning of the 19th century V. In the Spanish parliament (Cortes), a group of nationalist legate deputies were called “liberals”. Liberalism as an ideology was finally formed by the middle of the 19th century.

The basis of liberal ideology is the concept of the priority of personal rights and freedoms over all others (society, state). At the same time, of all freedoms, preference is given to economic freedoms (freedom of entrepreneurship, priority of private property).

The fundamental features of liberalism are:

• individual freedom;
• respect and observance of human rights;
• freedom of private ownership and entrepreneurship;
• priority of equality of opportunity over social equality;
• legal equality of citizens;
• contractual system of state education (separation of the state from civil society);
• separation of powers, the idea of ​​free elections of all institutions of power;
• non-interference of the state in private life.

However, following classic model liberal ideology led to the polarization of society. Unlimited liberalism in economics and politics did not ensure social harmony and justice. Free, unrestricted competition contributed to the absorption of weaker competitors by stronger competitors. Monopolies dominated all sectors of the economy. A similar situation developed in politics. The ideas of liberalism began to experience a crisis. Some researchers even began to talk about the “decline” of liberal ideas.

As a result of lengthy discussions and theoretical searches in the first half of the 20th century. certain basic principles of classical liberalism were revised and an updated concept of “social liberalism” was developed - neoliberalism.

The neoliberal program was based on ideas such as:

• consensus between managers and managed;
• the need for mass participation in the political process;
• democratization of the adoption procedure political decisions(the principle of “political justice”);
• limited government regulation of economic and social spheres;
• state restrictions on the activities of monopolies;
• certain (limited) guarantees social rights(rights to work, to education, to benefits in old age, etc.).

In addition, neoliberalism involves protecting the individual from abuse and negative consequences market system.

The core values ​​of neoliberalism were borrowed by other ideological movements. It is attractive because it serves as the ideological basis for the legal equality of individuals and the rule of law.

Liberals– representatives of an ideological and socio-political movement that unites supporters of representative government and individual freedom, and in economics – freedom of enterprise.

general information

Liberalism originated in Western Europe during the era of struggle against absolutism and domination Catholic Church(16th–18th centuries). The foundation of the ideology was laid during the period of the European Enlightenment (J. Locke, C. Montesquieu, Voltaire). Physiocratic economists formulated the popular slogan “don’t interfere with action,” which expressed the idea of ​​state non-interference in the economy. The rationale for this principle was given by the English economists A. Smith and D. Ricardo. In the 18th–19th centuries. the social environment of liberals was predominantly bourgeois strata. Radical liberals associated with democracy played important role in the American Revolution (embodied in the US Constitution of 1787). 19th–20th centuries The main provisions of liberalism were formed: civil society, individual rights and freedoms, the rule of law, democratic political institutions, freedom of private enterprise and trade.

Principles of liberalism

The essential features of liberalism are determined by the etymology of the word itself (Latin Liberaly - free).

The main principles of liberalism in the political sphere are:

• personal freedom, the priority of the individual in relation to the state, recognition of the right of all people to self-realization. It should be noted that in the ideology of liberalism, individual freedom coincides with political freedom and “natural rights” of man, the most important of which are the right to life, liberty and private property;
• limitation of the scope of state activities security privacy– first from the arbitrariness of the state; “the curbing of the state through a constitution that guarantees individual freedom of action within the limits of the law;
• the principle of political pluralism, freedom of thought, speech, and belief.
• delimitation of the spheres of activity of the state and civil society, non-interference of the former in the affairs of the latter;
• in the economic sphere – freedom of individual and group entrepreneurial activity, self-regulation of the economy according to the laws of competition and free market, non-interference of the state in economic sphere, inviolability of private property;
• in the spiritual sphere – freedom of conscience, i.e. the right of citizens to profess (or not to profess) any religion, the right to formulate their moral duties, etc.

Success and development of the direction

In its completed classical form, liberalism established itself in the government of Great Britain, the USA, France and a number of other European states in the second half of the 19th century. But already in late XIX– early 20th century a decline in the influence of liberal ideology is revealed, which developed into a crisis that lasted until the 30s of the 20th century, which was associated with the new socio-political realities of this period.

On the one hand, free competition left without state control led to self-destruction market economy as a result of the concentration of production and the formation of monopolies, ruined small and medium-sized enterprises, on the other hand, unlimited property rights caused a powerful labor movement, economic and political upheavals, especially evident in the late 20s - early 30s. XX century All this forced us to reconsider a number of liberal attitudes and value guidelines.

Thus, within the framework of classical liberalism, neoliberalism is formed, the origin of which many scientists associate with the activities of American President F. D. Roosevelt (1933–1945). The rethink affected primarily the economic and social role of the state. At the core new form liberalism - the ideas of the English economist D. Keynes.

Neoliberalism

As a result of lengthy discussions and theoretical searches in the first half of the 20th century. Certain basic principles of classical liberalism were revised and an updated concept of “social liberalism” was developed - neoliberalism.

The neoliberal program was based on ideas such as:

• consensus between managers and managed;
• the need for mass participation in the political process;
• democratization of the procedure for making political decisions (the principle of “political justice”);
• limited government regulation of economic and social spheres;
• state restrictions on the activities of monopolies;
• guarantees of certain (limited) social rights (the right to work, to education, to benefits in old age, etc.).

In addition, neoliberalism involves protecting the individual from the abuses and negative consequences of the market system. The core values ​​of neoliberalism were borrowed by other ideological movements. It is attractive because it serves as the ideological basis for the legal equality of individuals and the rule of law.

Forms

Classical liberalism

Liberalism is the most widespread ideological movement that formed at the end of the 17th-18th centuries. as the ideology of the bourgeois class. John Locke (1632–1704), an English philosopher, is considered the founder of classical liberalism. He was the first to clearly separate concepts such as personality, society, state, and singled out legislative and executive branch. Locke's political theory, set out in “Two Treatises on Government,” is directed against patriarchal absolutism and views the socio-political process as the development of human society from a state of nature to civil society and self-government.

The main purpose of government from his point of view is to protect the rights of citizens to life, liberty and property, and in order to secure natural rights, equality and freedom, people agree to establish a state. Locke formulated the idea of ​​the rule of law, arguing that in a state absolutely any organ must obey the law. In his opinion, the legislative power in the state should be separated from the executive (including judicial and external relations), and the government itself must also strictly obey the law.

Social liberalism and conservative liberalism

At the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th centuries. representatives of liberal movements began to feel a crisis in the ideas of classical liberalism associated with the aggravation of social contradictions and the spread of socialist ideas. Under these conditions, new trends in liberalism emerged - “social liberalism” and “conservative liberalism.” In “social liberalism” the main ideas boiled down to the fact that the state had social functions, and was given the responsibility of providing for the most disadvantaged sections of society. “Conservative liberalism,” on the contrary, rejected any social activity of the state. Influenced by further development social processes There was an internal evolution of liberalism, and in the 30s of the 20th century neoliberalism was born. Researchers associate the beginning of neoliberalism with the “New Deal” of the American president.

Political liberalism

Political liberalism is the belief that individuals are the basis of law and society and that public institutions exist to help empower individuals with real power, without kowtowing to elites. This belief in political philosophy and political science is called “methodological individualism.” It is based on the idea that each person knows best what is best for him. The English Magna Carta (1215) provides an example of a political document in which some individual rights extend further than the prerogative of the monarch. The key point is the social contract, according to which laws are made with the consent of society for its benefit and protection of social norms, and every citizen is subject to these laws. Particular emphasis is placed on the rule of law, in particular, liberalism assumes that the state has sufficient power to enforce it. Modern political liberalism also includes the condition of universal suffrage, regardless of sex, race or property; Liberal democracy is considered the most preferable system. Political liberalism means a movement for liberal democracy and against absolutism or authoritarianism.

Economic liberalism

Economic liberalism advocates individual rights to property and freedom of contract. The motto of this form of liberalism is “free private enterprise.” Preference is given to capitalism based on the principle of laissez-faire, which means the abolition of government subsidies and legal barriers to trade. Economic liberals believe that the market does not need government regulation. Some of them are ready to allow government oversight of monopolies and cartels, others argue that market monopolization arises only as a consequence of government action. Economic liberalism argues that the prices of goods and services should be determined by the free choices of individuals, i.e., market forces. Some accept the presence of market forces even in areas where the state traditionally maintains a monopoly, such as security or justice. Economic liberalism views economic inequality that arises from unequal contracting positions as natural result competition, provided there is no coercion. Currently, this form is most expressed in libertarianism; other varieties are minarchism and anarcho-capitalism. Thus, economic liberalism is for private property and against government regulation.

Cultural liberalism

Cultural liberalism focuses on individual rights related to consciousness and lifestyle, including issues such as sexual, religious, academic freedom, and protection from government interference in personal life. As John Stuart Mill said in his essay “On Liberty”: “The only object which justifies the interference of men, individually or collectively, in the activities of other men, is self-defense. It is permissible to exercise power over a member of a civilized society against his will only for the purpose of preventing harm to others.” Cultural liberalism, to varying degrees, objects to government regulation of such areas as literature and art, as well as such issues as the activities of academia, gambling, prostitution, age of consent for sexual relations, abortion, use contraception, euthanasia, alcohol and other drug use. The Netherlands is probably the country with the highest level of cultural liberalism today, which, however, does not prevent the country from proclaiming a policy of multiculturalism.

Third generation liberalism

Third generation liberalism was a consequence of the post-war struggle of third world countries against colonialism. Today it is more associated with certain aspirations than with legal norms. Its goal is to fight against the concentration of power, material resources and technology in a group of developed countries. Activists of this movement emphasize the collective right of society to peace, to self-determination, to economic development and access to the commonwealth ( Natural resources, scientific knowledge, cultural monuments). These rights belong to the “third generation” and are reflected in Article 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Defenders of collective international rights Human Rights Watch also pay close attention to issues of international ecology and humanitarian assistance.

Bottom line

In all of the above forms of liberalism, it is assumed that there must be a balance between the responsibilities of government and individuals and that the function of the state should be limited to those tasks that cannot be adequately performed by the private sector. All forms of liberalism aim at legislative protection human dignity and personal autonomy, and everyone argues that removing restrictions on individual activities contributes to the improvement of society. Modern liberalism in most developed countries is a mixture of all these forms. In third world countries, “third generation liberalism” – the movement for a healthy living environment and against colonialism – often comes to the fore. The basis of liberalism as a political and legal doctrine is the idea of ​​the absolute value and self-sufficiency of the individual. According to the liberal concept, it is not society that precedes and socializes individuals, but independent individuals who, in accordance with their own will and reason, create society itself - all social institutions, including political and legal institutions.

Liberalism in modern Russia

Liberalism is widespread to one degree or another in all modern developed countries. However, in modern Russia the term has acquired a significant negative connotation, since liberalism is often understood as destructive economic and political reforms, carried out under the rule of Gorbachev and Yeltsin, a high level of chaos and corruption, covered up by a focus on Western countries. In this interpretation, liberalism is widely criticized due to fears of further destruction of the country and loss of its independence. Modern liberalization often leads to a decrease in social protection, and “price liberalization” is a euphemism for “increasing prices.”

Radical liberals in Russia are usually considered to be admirers of the West (“creative class”), including in their ranks very specific individuals (Valeria Novodvorskaya, Pavel Shekhtman, etc.) who hate Russia and the USSR as such, for example, comparing them with Nazi Germany, and Stalin and Putin - with Hitler, deifying the USA. Well-known resources of this kind: Echo of Moscow, The New Times, Ej, etc. The opposition identified itself as liberal, holding mass protests against Russian authorities in 2011–2012 due to disagreement with the nomination and election of Putin for a third term. But it is interesting that at the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin, for example, called himself a liberal, liberal reforms were proclaimed by Dmitry Medvedev when he was president of Russia.

Liberal politics defends the will of each individual. After all, it is the last one in in this case considered to be of the highest value. Laws are established as a fair basis for economics and order among people. The constitution plays an important role, within the framework of the rules of which the state and church have the right to influence social processes.

Main features and features

Liberal ideology is characterized by:

• equality of all citizens and the chance to influence political processes;
• the opportunity to speak freely in public, decide on religion, vote honestly for a particular candidate in elections;
• inviolable private property, trade and entrepreneurship are unlimited;
• the law is supreme;
• citizens are equal, influence, wealth and position do not matter.

Wide dissemination of ideas

Liberal ideology is very popular these days. IN modern world freedom plays a very important role. Attention is paid to the sense of personal dignity and the universal rights of people. A person's privacy and private property must be inviolable. The market must remain free, religious choice must be tolerated.

When liberal democratic ideology reigns, the state is legal, the government is transparent, the power of the people is higher than the rulers. A good ruling force is one that represents the opinions of the people, is regulated and controlled by them. Not only does the head of the country rule over man, but man also rules over his own land.

A state with a liberal ideology has those common features, which are now observed in Finland, Estonia, Cyprus, Uruguay, Spain, Slovenia, Canada and Taiwan. Here the values ​​of will and freedom are given the dominant role. It is on their foundation that the country’s new goals are built.

Different features in individual territories

North America and Western Europe They differ in that the political currents there are in solidarity with the movement for people's power. The liberal ideology of the “right” representatives is more inclined to classical views about order in the state.

The influence of conservatives, who are inclined towards established models and schemes, is clearly visible here. Social and cultural progress, which can shake established moral norms, is alien to them.

There used to be rivalry between traditionalists and freedom fighters, but when the Second World War ended World War, authoritarianism was discredited. The leading role was given to moderate movements, whose ideas were expressed in the desire for softer regimes of conservatism and Christian democracy.

The second half of the 20th century was marked by the fact that liberal ideology suffered from an ingrained desire to preserve private property and privatization. Old customs had to be adjusted.

In the United States of America, the values ​​of liberal ideology reached the people through socialists, as well as through the “left” currents of this political trend. Western Europe is characterized by differences in the actions of its public organizations. The "leftists" are conducting social policy in the struggle for the freedoms of the people.

The Liberal Party in Europe promotes non-interference in personal affairs and business. Such actions can only be carried out when the freedoms and property of some citizens must be protected from others.

Support is provided for cultural and economic trends in which liberal ideology moves. Social orientation is not supported. When seeking to implement the rule of law, it is required that the government has sufficient strength. Some people are of the opinion that private and public organizations are sufficient to ensure order. Armed movements are considered the most recent and unacceptable way to solve problems in the event of military aggression.

Differences in directions

When economic interests are respected, the liberal party can isolate itself into separate movements. Economic schemes of work that do not affect politics are considered. The state must ensure maximum freedom for the development of business and trade, without interfering with this process.

Only moderate regulation of the monetary system can be carried out, and the international market is accessible. Obstruction of foreign economic activity is not carried out by the authorities. On the contrary, any initiative is encouraged. The privatization procedure is being carried out. Margaret Thatcher set an example of such management by carrying out a number of reforms in Great Britain.

The effect of putting ideas into practice

Nowadays, liberals can be classified as centrist movements or social democratic ones. In Scandinavia, such management models are very popular. There were economic downturns, which made the issues of protecting society particularly acute. The population suffered from unemployment, inflation and poor pensions.

The Social Democrats increased taxation, and the state sector played a large role in the economy. For a long time"right" and "left" political forces fought for rule.

Thanks to this, effective laws have emerged, the government has become transparent, and now it is engaged in the protection of civil human rights and the property of business entities.

Nowadays in Scandinavia the state does not regulate pricing policy. Banks are run by private companies. Trading is open to everyone who wishes to participate in fair competition in both local and international markets. A liberal democratic system of politics was implemented. Level social protection became extremely tall. Other European countries are characterized by similar processes. There social democracy is mixed with liberal politics board.

Proclamation of rights and freedoms

The main goals of liberal movements are to strengthen democratic views that give freedom to the people. The state must take as its basis the right to ensure an independent judicial system. Transparency of work must be monitored ruling structures. Civil rights should be protected and there should be room for competition.

It is very important to understand, when talking about a particular party, whether it belongs to the social liberals, libertarians or the right sector.

Society also promotes the ideas of equality and freedom in a variety of ways. Some support free choice sex life, the right to sell drugs and weapons, expand the powers of private security organizations, to which part of the police powers may be transferred.

In terms of the economy, a stable income tax or its change to a per capita tax is supported. They are trying to privatize educational institutions, the procedure for providing pensioners, health care. They want to make science associated with self-sustaining sponsorship. A number of states are characterized by the fact that the liberal party seeks to abandon the death sentence, disarm troops, and reject developments nuclear weapons, take care of the environment.

Unity of nations

The debate around multiculturalism is becoming increasingly heated. Ethnic minorities should share those values ​​of the people that are considered fundamental. The majority of the population, having the same roots, must defend the rights small communities. There is also an opinion that there must be rapid integration between minorities in order to keep the nation intact.

Organizations and associations

Since 1947, the Mont Pelerin Society has been working to unite economic, entrepreneurial, philosophical minds, and journalists to support the ideals preached by the classical struggle for freedom.

In our time, this policy is promoted by the Liberal International, which unites 19 organizations based on the Oxford Manifesto. As of 2015, the formation has 100 members, including the Free Democratic Party of Germany, Yabloko in Russia and so on.

Today, on television and in general on the Internet, many people say: “Here they are liberals, liberal-minded citizens...” Also, modern liberals are called even worse: “liber@stams”, liberoids, etc. Why did these liberals not please everyone who complains? What is liberalism? Let's explain now in simple words, and at the same time we will determine whether it is worth scolding modern liberals and why.

History of liberalism

Liberalism is an ideology - a system of ideas about the structure of society and the state. The word itself comes from the word Libertas (Latin) - which means freedom. Let us now find out what relation he has to freedom.

So, imagine the harsh Middle Ages. You are a craftsman in a European medieval city: a tanner, or generally a butcher. Your city is in the possession of a feudal lord: a county, barony or duchy. And the city pays him rent every month for what is on his land. Suppose a feudal lord wanted to introduce a new tax—for example, on air. And he will introduce it. And the townspeople will not go anywhere - they will pay.

Of course, there were cities that bought their freedom and themselves already established more or less fair taxation. But those were extremely rich cities. And yours is like this average city- cannot afford such luxury.

If your son wants to become a doctor or a priest, it will simply be impossible. Because state law determines the life of each class. He can only do what you do - be a butcher. And when the tax burden ruins the city, then, probably, he will rise and overthrow the power of the feudal lord. But the royal troops, or the troops of the feudal lord, of a higher rank, will come and punish such a rebellious city.

By the end of the Middle Ages, this order of things was primarily tired of the city dwellers: artisans, merchants - in a word, those who really made money from their hard work. And Europe was swept by bourgeois revolutions: when the bourgeoisie began to dictate its terms. In 1649 there was a revolution in England. And what are the interests of the bourgeoisie?

Definition of liberalism

Liberalism is an ideology whose key elements are: personal freedom, the idea of ​​public good, and a guarantee of legal and political equality. This is what the bourgeoisie needs. Freedom: if a person wants to do business, let him do what he wants - that’s his right. The main thing is that he does not harm other people and does not encroach on their freedom.

Equality- a very important idea. Of course, all people are not equal: in their intelligence, perseverance, physical abilities. But! We are talking about equal opportunities: if a person wants to do something, no one has the right to stop him on the basis of racial, social or other prejudices. Ideally, any person can become a leader and “rise” with hard work. Of course, not everyone will rise, because not everyone can and wants to work long and hard!

Common Good: means a reasonable structure of society. Where the state guarantees the rights and freedoms of the individual, protects this individual from all kinds of threats. The state also protects the rules of life in society: it monitors compliance with laws.

Another very important basis of liberalism: idea of ​​natural rights. This idea was developed by English thinkers John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. It lies in the fact that a person is born with three rights: the right to life, to private property and to the pursuit of happiness.

No one has the right to take a person’s life, except perhaps the state and only by law. The right to private property was examined in detail. The pursuit of happiness means the same freedom of action, of course within the framework of the law.

Classical liberalism died for a long time in 1929, when a crisis arose in the United States as a result of which tens of thousands of banks went bankrupt, millions of people died of hunger, and all that. Today we are talking about neoliberalism. That is, under the influence various factors liberalism has changed: transformed into neoliberalism.

We analyze in detail what neoliberalism is.

Why are liberals in Russia today so “bad” that everyone criticizes them? The fact is that people who call themselves liberals defend not so much the ideology of liberalism as the idea that Europe and the USA are the most best countries and that it is they who need to be guided by: to join the European Union, NATO - in a word, to bend to the West. At the same time, if you say that you don’t think it’s right, they prove to you that you’re completely wrong. That is, they deliberately violate your right to the same freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and position.

Why do we need Europe if they have a crisis economy? After all, all crises begin in the West. Look at the countries that are members of the European Union: Greece, Romania. Romanians now go to Germany to clean German toilets - they cannot work at their bus factories - they were closed because Germany supplies the buses. And Greece - several years in the European Union brought this country to financial collapse, not even a crisis - collapse.

Looking at all this, you can’t help but think, why do we need to be in the EU? So that we could at least destroy what else is still working somewhere? Therefore, if I would call modern Russian “liberals” (those people who advocate reckless European integration) liberals, then only with quotation marks.

In conclusion, I quote a common joke. To the question: “Should we leave?” the patriot answers “Who?”, and the liberal “Where?” 🙂

I hope you have received a comprehensive answer to the question “What is liberalism”, like it, write in the comments about all this.

Best regards, Andrey Puchkov