How ideologies develop in opposition to classical liberalism

Hannah MouldsHumanities 30-1

Mr. Kabachia

Ideological Responses to Classical Liberalism

How they oppose Classical Liberalism

How they are similar

Luddism This opposes Classical Liberalism’s idea of self-interest/competition. The Luddites were threatened by the new machinery and unskilled workers. This lead to their rebel against their authorities.

The Luddites touch on the aspect of Individual Rights and Freedoms. The Luddites challenge the authorities by attacking the factories.

Chartism The Chartists wanted to modify the undesirable effects of Classical Liberalism. The voting system was very unfair, and in order to see improvements, the Chartists main goals were: Universal suffrage, equal-sized electoral districts, voting by secret ballot, end to the need of property qualifications for parliament, pay for Member of parliament, annual elections.

The goal, universal suffrage, in this Charter is very similar to Classical Liberalisms idea of Individual Rights and Freedoms. People should have the right to vote when they hit the “adult ages.” It should not be just for a specific ‘class’ of people. This also allows for improvements for the lower class citizens.

Utopian Socialism

The Utopians opposed the appalling working conditions of the average worker. The Individuals involved felt that laissez-faire corrupted human nature. And if people were educated and working conditions were improved, people would live happier.

The classical liberalism belief that individuals could realize their potential if they were free to pursue their own inclinations. The Utopians did not want to change Classical Liberalism, they only wanted to modify it.

Marxism This opposes Classical Liberalisms idea of private property. Abolishing private property and centralization of the means of production become essential characteristics of the economy of countries who implement Marxist ideas and communism. Marx also believed that in order for changes to be made in society, workers must revolt.

Economics is the foundation of society and the means of production, such as factories, should be in the workers’ hands.

Classical Conservatis

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They believed that society should be structured in a hierarchical fashion with those best suited to leadership at the top, because people do not have equal abilities. This goes against Classical liberalisms idea of economic freedom and individual rights and freedoms.

Reactionary change, like the Luddites, to industrialization and modernization.

Welfare Capitalism

The idea of Welfare Capitalism was to give the rights to workers and also to give workers protection such as minimum wage, limited working hours, as well as a safety net including benefits such as pensions and medical insurance.

This idea did not completely oppose Classical liberalism, it was just to be combined with a government, that used legislation, that would allow for these protections.

Keynesian Economics (Welfare State)

Keynes came up with the idea of governments spending more money and reducing taxes in order to reduce the severity of a recession, and then during an inflation the government should spend less and increase taxes. This would stop people from spending as much, softening the boom. This gives the government a greater role in the economy, starting the shift towards a welfare state.

Believed that competition should still be encouraged but money and boom times should be saved by individuals for bust times.