Liberal ideology

Liberal ideology is a popular teaching, the basic principles of which were formed in the 17th century. Its emergence is directly related to the bourgeois revolutions that took place in the 17th and 18th centuries. There was a struggle against the survivals of feudalism, characteristic of that time. There was the formation of capitalism. Accordingly, a new era required a teaching that would correspond to the spirit of the times, since the previous major political ideologies had ceased to cope with their task. They became, so-called, liberalism.

This ideology was formed under the influence of the works of such scientists as J. Mill, J. Locke, A. Smith and many others. The basic principles of this exercise were included in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen of the 1789 model, as well as in the Constitution of France, issued in 1791.

What basic ideas carry such a popular trend as liberal ideology? The fundamental principle is that human rights and freedoms are more important than the needs of the state and society. That is, liberalism proclaimed individualism. The main link in this doctrine is economic freedom, that is, the opportunity to successfully carry out entrepreneurial activities. The main principle of liberalism is also the importance and priority of private property before the state.

Let us consider the main features of this teaching. First, the liberal ideology assumes the individual freedom of the citizen. Secondly, in the teaching, it is important to protect all basic human rights. Thirdly, it is the freedom to carry out entrepreneurial activities and the priority of private ownership of property. Fourthly, this is a greater importance of equality of opportunity than social equality. Fifthly, this is the division of civil society and state. Sixth, this is the legal equality of people. Seventh, these are free elections for all branches of power. Eighth, it is the importance of a person's private life and the guarantee of non-interference by the state.

It is worth noting that the classical liberal ideology has led to some negative phenomena. First, it is a big difference between the poor and the rich. Secondly, this is unlimited competition, which led to the absorption of small organizations by larger ones. In the economy and politics monopoly began to prevail, which contradicted the basic ideas of liberalism.

The new "flourishing" of this teaching began in the 20th century. At this time, after numerous discussions, some ideas of liberalism were revised. The teaching itself was renamed. Now it is called "neoliberalism". Consider its differences from the classical teaching. A new liberal political ideology presupposes an agreement between subordinates and managers. It carries with it the ideas of democracy, that is, the compulsory participation of citizens in political life. The improved teaching takes into account the importance of state regulation in the social and economic field (including the limitation of the formation of monopolies). Neo-liberalism implies the granting of certain social rights, in particular, the right to pensions, labor and education. Teaching involves protecting people from various negative consequences and influences of the market system.

Improved liberalism is popular in most developed countries. Neo-liberalism serves as a foundation for the formation of a state that ensures the legal equality of citizens, the normal development of a market economy and the guarantee of the provision of basic freedoms to every person. At the moment, this teaching is considered one of the main political ideologies.