ideologiesliberalism

Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy that emphasizes liberty, individual rights, and equality before the law. It argues that people should be free to pursue their own interests within a framework of constitutional governance, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Core liberal commitments include limited government, consent of the governed, pluralism, toleration of diverse beliefs, and the protection of private property. Economic liberalism adds support for free markets and minimal state intervention in the economy, while social liberalism accepts limited government action to promote social welfare and equal opportunity.

Historically, liberalism emerged in Europe during the Enlightenment, drawing on thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu. Classical liberalism advocated representative government, free markets, and individual rights, arguing that state power should be constrained. In the 19th and 20th centuries, social liberalism and liberal democracies expanded rights and welfare programs. Since the late 20th century, neoliberalism has promoted deregulation and privatization as a means to increase efficiency, though it remains contested within liberal discourse. Internationally, liberalism has often supported liberal international order, human rights, and multilateralism.

There are regional distinctions: in the United States, liberalism commonly denotes center-left politics, while in many European countries liberal parties emphasize free-market principles with civil liberties; some parties combine liberal social policies with market-oriented economics. Critiques of liberalism come from both conservative and radical perspectives, arguing it can neglect communal bonds, economic inequality, or democratic accountability in different forms.