Editing Political philosophy (section)

=== Liberalism ===
{{main|Liberalism}}
[[File:John Locke.jpg|thumb|alt=Oil painting of a man with long, gray hair wearing a dark brown cloak over a white shirt|As a founder of liberalism, [[John Locke]] prioritized individual freedom over state power.<ref name="Sankowski 2005 731–732">{{multiref | {{harvnb|Sankowski|2005|pp=731–732}} | {{harvnb|Moseley|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=bXU8CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA188 188]}} | {{harvnb|Tuckness|2024|loc=Lead section}} }}</ref>]]
Liberalism is a philosophical tradition emphasizing individual [[Liberty|liberties]] and [[rights]], the [[rule of law]], [[Toleration|tolerance]], and [[constitutional democracy]]. It encompasses a variety of ideas without a precise definition. Some liberals follow [[John Locke]]'s view that all individuals are born free and equal, highlighting the government's role in protecting this natural state. Others associate liberalism more with the individual's ability to participate in democratic institutions than with equality. Central commitments for most liberals are support of various forms of liberty, such as [[freedom of speech]], [[freedom of religion]], and free choice of profession. Liberalism allows for diverse life choices and advocates tolerance of lifestyles different from one's own. This outlook is grounded in an [[Humanism|optimism about human nature]]{{efn|[[Progressivism]] is closely related to liberalism in this regard by its optimistic outlook towards human progress and societal improvement, often combined with liberal or socialist ideologies.<ref>{{harvnb|Fiala|2015|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=XXApBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA246 246]}}</ref>}}}} and trust in the individual's responsibility to make sensible decisions. As a result, liberals assert that the government should remain neutral and allow individuals to pursue their goals without external interference. Other key liberal topics include the defense of [[private property]] and the rule of law.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Waldron|1998|loc=§ Lead section}} | {{harvnb|Knowles|2006|pp=70–71}} | {{harvnb|Moseley|loc=§ 3a. Liberalism}} | {{harvnb|Freeden|2024|pp=237–238}} | {{harvnb|Scruton|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t9uGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA394 394–395]}} }}</ref>

Most forms of liberalism support some form of [[Free market|free-market economy]] and [[capitalism]]. In a free market, the exchange of goods and services occurs with minimal state control and regulation. Instead, privately owned businesses compete with each other, and prices are primarily influenced by [[supply and demand]].<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Scruton|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t9uGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA258 258]}} | {{harvnb|Fiala|2015|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=XXApBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA240 240]}} }}</ref> Capitalism is an economic system in which the [[means of production]] are mainly privately owned. This system is typically characterized by a contrast between capitalist owners, who aim to [[Profit maximization|maximize the profit]] of their investment, and workers, who sell their [[Work (human activity)|labor]] in exchange for a [[salary]].<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Scruton|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t9uGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA78 78–79]}} | {{harvnb|Zimbalist|Sherman|1984|p=[https://archive.org/details/comparingeconomi0000zimb_q8i6/page/4/mode/2up 5]}} | {{harvnb|Fiala|2015|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=XXApBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA228 228]}} }}</ref>

One broad characterization distinguishes between [[Classical liberalism|classical]] and [[Social liberalism|modern liberalism]], also called social democratic liberalism, based on the role of the state. Classical liberalism seeks to protect the liberties and rights of individuals from government interference, arguing for a limited role of the state. It promotes [[negative liberty]] and tasks the state with safeguarding individuals from obstacles or interference from others, such as aggression and theft.{{efn|The resurgence of certain classical liberal principles in the late-20th-century, especially in regard to free markets and limited government, is sometimes termed ''[[neoliberalism]]''.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Scruton|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t9uGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA472 472]}} | {{harvnb|Vallier|2022|loc=Lead section, § 1. Explicating A Challenging Term}} }}</ref>}} Modern liberalism emphasizes [[positive liberty]], arguing that the state should foster conditions that enable individuals to achieve their personal goals. This approach advocates for a more active role of the state to promote [[social justice]], [[equality of opportunity]], and the right to a minimal [[standard of living]]. This can include state programs to ensure affordable [[healthcare]], education for all, and [[social security]].<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Moseley|loc=§ 3a. Liberalism}} | {{harvnb|Scruton|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t9uGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA394 394–395]}} }}</ref>

[[Libertarianism]] is closely related to classical liberalism. It emphasizes individual liberties and argues that people should be free to do as they want without coercion as long as they do not infringe on the liberty of others. Some libertarians consider the [[non-aggression principle]]{{em dash}}the principle forbidding aggression against a person and their property{{em dash}} as the foundational tenet of libertarianism. Libertarians typically support a free-market economy based on private property and voluntary cooperation. They disapprove of governmental attempts to redistribute wealth and other forms of economic regulation. This view seeks to limit the role of government to [[collective defense]], the protection of individual rights, and the enforcement of contracts.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Van der Vossen|Christmas|2024|loc=Lead section}} | {{harvnb|Knowles|2006|p=71}} | {{harvnb|Scruton|2007|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t9uGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA397 397–398]}} | {{harvnb|Zwolinski|2016|pp=62–63}} }}</ref>

Various criticisms of liberalism have been formulated. One objection asserts that its individualistic focus on personal liberties undermines community, arguing that the prioritization of personal freedoms leads to [[social fragmentation]]. A different criticism proposes that private property and unregulated markets threaten [[Economic inequality|economic equality]] and tend to create unjust hierarchies. Further objections argue that liberalism diminishes the common good by reinforcing individualistic social disputes and that its commitments to tolerance and pluralism result in [[cultural relativism]].<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Galston|1991|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=88N-1mITdzYC&pg=PA42 42–44]}} | {{harvnb|Quong|2011|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=nSkUDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA151 151]}} }}</ref>