Liberal politics upholds the will of each individual. After all, it is the last this case considered to be of the highest value. Laws are established as the just basis of the economy and order among the people. An important role is played by the constitution, within the framework of the rules of which the state and the church have the right to influence social processes.

Main features and features

Liberal ideology is characterized by:

• equality of all citizens and a chance to influence political processes;
• the opportunity to speak freely in public, to decide on religion, to vote honestly for one or another 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 feeling of personal dignity, the universal rights of people. Must be inviolable personal life person and private property. The market must remain free, religious choice must be tolerated.

When the 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 is the spokesman for the opinion of the people, they are regulated and controlled. Not only the head of the country rules a man, but also a man rules his own land.

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

Various features in separate territories

North America and Western Europe differ in that there the political currents are in solidarity with the movement for the power of the people. The liberal ideology of the "right" representatives is more inclined towards classical views on the order in the state.

Here, the influence of conservatives, who are inclined towards established models and schemes, is clearly visible. They are alien to social and cultural progress, which can shake the established norms of morality.

There used to be rivalry between traditionalists and freedom fighters, but when the Second World War, authoritarianism was discredited. The leading role went to the moderate currents, 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 the 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 the liberal ideology reached the people through the socialists, as well as through the "left" currents of this political direction. Western Europe, on the other hand, is characterized by differences in the actions of its public organizations. The "leftists" are pursuing a social policy in the struggle for the freedom of the people.

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

There is support for the cultural and economic currents in which the liberal ideology moves. Social orientation is not supported. In striving to realize the rule of law, it is required that the authority has sufficient strength. Some people are of the opinion that private and public organizations are enough to ensure order. Armed movements are considered the latest and most unacceptable way to solve problems in the event of military aggression.

Differences in directions

When economic interests are observed, the liberal party can isolate itself into separate currents. 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, the international market is available. Obstruction in foreign economic activity is not carried out by the authorities. Any initiative, on the contrary, is encouraged. Conduct the privatization process. An example of such management was shown by Margaret Thatcher, who carried out a series of reforms in the UK.

The effect of putting ideas into practice

Today, liberals can be attributed to centrist currents or to social democratic ones. In Scandinavia, such management models are very popular. There were economic downturns, due to which the issues of protecting society were especially aggravated. The population suffered from unemployment, inflation and poor pensions.

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

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

In our time in Scandinavia, the state does not regulate pricing policy. Banks are run by private companies. Trade is open to everyone who wants to participate in a fair competition in both local and international markets. A liberal-democratic system of politics was implemented. The level of social protection has become extremely high. 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 currents are to strengthen democratic views that give freedom to the people. The state should take as a basis the right to ensure an independent system of justice. The transparency of the work of the ruling structures should be controlled. Protect civil rights and provide room for competition.

It is very important to understand when it comes to 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 a free choice of sexual life, the right to sell drugs and weapons, to expand the powers of private security organizations, to which some of the powers of the police can be transferred.

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

Unity of peoples

The debate around multiculturalism is getting sharper. Ethnic minorities should share those values ​​of the people that are considered fundamental. The majority of the population, having the same roots, must protect the rights of small communities. There is also an opinion that there must be an early 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 journalistic figures in order to maintain the ideals that the classical struggle for freedom preaches.

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

Contrary to popular belief that liberalism is something completely new, brought into Russian culture by trends from the West, liberal Political Views in Russia have a very extensive history. Usually, the arrival of these political views in our country is usually dated to the middle of the 18th century, when the first thoughts about freedom began to creep into the minds of the most enlightened citizens of the state. M. M. Speransky is considered the most prominent representative of the first generation of liberals in Russia.

But, if you think about it, liberalism is a phenomenon almost as ancient as Christianity, and even as Greek word, denoting freedom, liberal political views, first of all, imply the value of this very freedom as the greatest gift that is in the power of man. And we are talking not only about internal but also the freedom of a citizen from the state. This implies the non-interference of the state in any private affairs of its citizens, the ability to freely express their political views, the absence of censorship and diktat on the part of the leaders of the country, and this is what both the ancient philosophers and the first adherents of Christianity preached.

Under personal liberty, people preaching liberal views, understand the freedom of self-realization, as well as the freedom to resist any force that comes from outside. If a person is internally not free, this inevitably leads to his collapse as a person, because external interference can easily break him. Liberals believe that the consequence of lack of freedom is an increase in aggression, the inability to adequately assess key worldview concepts such as truth, good, evil.

In addition, the liberals mean by themselves and which must be guaranteed by the state. Freedom of choice of residence, movement, and others are the foundations on which any liberal government must rest. At the same time, even the slightest manifestation of aggression is unacceptable for adherents of liberalism - any changes in the state should be achieved only in an evolutionary, peaceful way. Revolution in any form is already a violation of the freedom of some citizens by others, and, therefore, it is unacceptable for those who profess liberal political views. In Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the liberals lost precisely because they expected reforms from the authorities that would help transform the country without bloodshed. But, unfortunately, this path of development of the state was rejected by the monarchy, which resulted in a revolution.

Thus, to summarize, we can say that liberal political views are such worldview ideas and ideological concepts, which are based on an exclusive respect for freedom as the highest value. The political and economic rights of a citizen, the possibility of implementing free business activities throughout the country, the absence of total state control over its citizens, the democratization of society - these are the main features of liberalism as a political system of views.

To implement such a system, a clear division is necessary in order to avoid its concentration in the hands of individuals or oligarchies. Therefore, clearly defined and independent from each other executive, judicial and legislative powers are an essential attribute of any state that lives according to liberal laws. Considering this, as well as the fact that in almost all democratic countries of the world freedom and human rights are the highest value, we can safely say that it was liberalism that became the basis for the creation of modern statehood.

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

The liberal content of social relations is manifested in the presence of a system of checks on the pressure of the authorities political power designed to guarantee the freedom of the individual and ensure the protection of the rights of citizens. The basis of the system is private enterprise, organized on market principles.

A mix of liberal and democratic principles public relations allows you to highlight the 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” (the rule of many). In other political systems, 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 trend (worldview), liberalism arose in late XVII V. thanks to the work of such scientists as J. Locke, III. Montesquieu, J. Mill, A. Smith and others. Fundamental ideas and attitudes 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 in early XIX V. In the Spanish Parliament (Cortes), "liberals" were a group of deputies of nationalist legates. Liberalism as an ideology was finally formed by mid-nineteenth V.

The liberal ideology is based on 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 enterprise;
• the priority of equality of opportunity over social equality;
• legal equality of citizens;
• contractual system of state formation (separation of the state from civil society);
• separation of powers, the idea of ​​free elections of all institutions of power;
• government interference in private life.

However, following the classical model of liberal ideology led to the polarization of society. Unrestricted liberalism in economics and politics did not ensure social harmony and justice. Free, unrestricted competition contributed to the absorption of the weak 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 such ideas as:

• consensus of the rulers and the ruled;
• the need for the participation of the masses in the political process;
• democratization of the procedure for making political decisions (the principle of "political justice");
• limited state regulation of the economic and social spheres;
• state restriction of the activities of monopolies;
• certain (limited) warranties social rights(the right to work, to education, to benefits in old age, etc.).

In addition, neoliberalism presupposes the protection of the individual from abuse and negative consequences market system.

The core values ​​of neoliberalism were borrowed by other ideological currents. It attracts by the fact that it serves as the ideological basis of the legal equality of individuals and the rule of law.

LIBERALISM - a general designation of various forms of socio-political thought and practice of modern and modern times.

Rise-walking in their gen-ne-zi-se to rise-nick-shek in the 17th-18th centuries of the ra-cio-on-leaf and enlightenment cri-ti-ke of the Western -ropeian co-words-no-th community-st-va, ab-so-lu-tiz-ma and cle-ri-ka-liz-ma. The term “Liberalism” arose in the Spanish cor-te-s in 1810, denoting the faction of an-ti-ab-so-lu-ti-st-ori-en-ta-tion , and after this, would-st-ro ras-pro-country-nil-Xia on Ev-ro-ne.

For-mi-ro-va-nie ideo-logii li-be-ra-liz-ma.

Since the 17th century, the philosophical foundations of Liberalism include the ideas of ve-ro-ter-pi-mo-sti (that-le- rant-no-sti), in-di-vi-du-al-noy freedom, in-nya-that pre-zh-de everything as a protection of human-lo-ve -ka from the political pro-from-in-la, ver-ho-ven-st-va ra-tsio-nal-but justify-no-van-no-go right-va, right-le-niya with co-gla-this on-ro-da (in the theo-ri-yah general-st-ven-no-go-to-go-vo-ra - uch-re-zh-den-no-go-on- ro-house), the right to a part-st-own own-st-ven-nost, is-to-l-ko-van-nuyu at that time rather temper-st-ven-but and in-whether -ti-che-ski than yuri-di-che-ski and eco-no-mi-che-ski. These ideas, in a different way, are ak-tsen-ti-ro-van-nye, raz-vi-va-lis such-ki-mi thoughts-whether-te-la-mi, like T. Hobbes, J Locke, B. Spin-no-za, S. Pu-fen-dorf, P. Bayle, etc.

In the 18th century, Liberalism became ideological-lo-gi-che-sky and, in a certain sense, in a lytic way, partly op-re-de-lyaya so-fight co-der-zha-nie in-nya-tia Enlightenment. The efforts of the French physio-crats (F. Ke-ne, P. Mercier de la Riviere, A.R. J. Tur-go) and the Scottish pro-sve-ti-te -lei (D. Hume, A. Smith, J. Millar, A. Fer-gu-son) creates-da-et-xia political eco-no-miya, C. Mont-tes-kyo and its after-to-va-te-whether times-ra-ba-you-va-yut con-cep-tion times-de-le-niya authorities - one of the most important -lytic ideas of Liberalism. In the same tradition, as well as outside it, - U. Blacks-to-nom, I. Ben-ta-mom, from-tsa-mi-os-no-va-te-la-mi USA ( T. Jeff-fer-so-nom, J. Me-di-so-nom, A. Ga-mil-to-nom) - for-mi-ru-et-sya modern con-sti-tu-tsio-na -ism (based on the ideas of J. Locke and the historical experience of the English Revolution, in particular the Bill of Rights of 1689). Ch. Bek-ka-ria for-mu-li-ru-et the idea of ​​\u200b\u200b"gu-ma-ni-sti-che-sko-go" right, in the works of I. Kan-ta and I. Ben- ta-ma warehouses-dy-va-yut-sya-influencing to the present time theories of mo-ra-li - these are debt-ha (de-on-to-logia) and uti-li-ta-rism. The general appearance of Liberalism - under the influence, first of all, Vol-ter-ra and en-cyclo-lo-pe-di-stov (D. Di-d-ro, J.L d'Alembert, P. Gol-ba-ha, etc.) - pri-ni-ma-et more and more secular character, and in some of their manifestations-le-ni -yah Liberalism becomes-but-vit-xia atei-sti-che-skim.

Liberalism was the first those-th-no-things, in some way about-su-zh-da-lied and fore-was-hi-ha-ha-rak-ter-nye pro-ble-we of the modern society, at that time only for-mi-ro-vav-she-go-sya. In the 18th century, up to the French revolution of the 18th century, Liberalism pro-ti-in-standing-whether only different versions of tra-di-cio-na-lis-ma. Only later, in the course of this re-in-lu-tion and after it, and in the quality of re-actions on political victories and developments of early Liberalism, two other key currents of modern thought are formed - con-ser-vatism and socialism. So for-mi-ru-et-sya is the modulus of the modern world-ro-po-ni-ma-nia, many-times-but re-re-stray-vav-shy-sya in the 19th and 20th centuries, but not-from-me-but-storing-my-main components-po-nen-you.

The development of Liberalism in the 18th century in ro-di-lo and a lot of its forms. So, in the Scottish Enlightenment, it would-la from-reject-well-that idea of ​​\u200b\u200bgen-of-st-ven-no-go-to-go-in-ra, and es-te-st-ven- noe pra-in sve-de-but according to su-shche-st-vu to p-zi-tiv-no-mu pra-vu. Ve-ra in all-mo-gu-shche-st-vo and sa-mo-stand-tel-ness ra-zu-ma would-la kri-ti-che-ski pe-re-os-cape-le- on Scottish fi-lo-so-fa-mi, while the Liberalism of the Kantov-sko-go-th-for-mi-ro-val-sya in a direct-my-le-mi-ke with no- mi (before everything with D. Hume). “Not-from-foreign-well-give-we-rights” che-lo-ve-ka, who have become not only the cornerstone of some-some versions of Liberalism , but also its lytic sign (in the American and French re-in-lu-qi-yah), would it be with pre-zr-n-e-y-y-y-y-y. Ben-ta-mom "che-pu-hoi on ho-du-lyah." Ori-en-ta-tion on enlightened ab-co-lu-tism as the most-bo-lea-to-vat-ny, or yes, one-st-ven-but-possible -ny, in-st-ru-ment of real-li-for-tion of re-for-ma-tor-pro-programs about-ti-in-standing-whether the perception of go-su-dar-st -va as “not-ho-di-my-evil” and striving, if possible, “mi-ni-mi-zi-ro-vat” him (for example, by T. Pey-n and K. V. von Humboldt).

The main te-che-tions and pro-ble-we are co-time-men-no-go-whether-be-ra-liz-ma.

In conflicts within many different versions of Liberalism and between it and others, there are many -niya-mi (con-ser-va-tiz-mom, so-cia-liz-mom, na-cio-na-liz-mom, fun-da-men-ta-liz-mom, etc.) pro-is-ho-di-lo development of various forms of Liberalism, not-rarely with-holding-zh-tel-but changing-shih-sya so much that they lose -whether there is a similarity between me-f-du-fight and our own “great-ro-di-te-la-mi” from the era of Enlightenment. At the same time, there is a sim-bio-zy of some versions of Liberalism and other ideo-logical theories, for example, liberal socialism in the spirit of K. Ros-sel-li or L. Hob-how-sa, as well as posthumously pub- lished "Chapters on social cyan- lis-me" J.S. Mill-la, modern non-oli-be-ra-lism (L. von Mises, M. Fried-man, A. Schwartz, etc.) - according to su-sche-st-vu, only ra-di-kal -naya version of the ka-pi-ta-listic con-ser-va-tiz-ma, "li-be-ral-ny-tsio-na-lizm", rising to the idea -yam J. Mad-zi-ni about “mor-st-ven-noy to-tal-no-sti of the nation”, you-build-vae-mine in co-ot-vet-st-vie with uni- ver-sal-ny-mi price-no-stya-mi rights che-lo-ve-ka.

In general, you can de-pour five main the-che-li-be-ral-noy thoughts, which were created in the 20th century: 1) teachings, re-creation -from-in-dia-theories of general-st-ven-no-go-to-go-in-ra and es-the-st-ven-ny rights (J. Rawls, various versions of dis -kus-siv-noy eti-ki - Yu. Ha-ber-mas, etc.); 2) the concept of spon-tan-no-go in a row, continuing the traditions of the Scottish Enlightenment (F.A. von Hayek, W. Buck-li the Younger and others); 3) modern uti-li-ta-rism in its various versions (P. Singer, K. Er-row, G. Becker, F. Knight); 4) Ge-gel-yan-sky versions of Liberalism (B. Cro-che, R. Kollin-gwood, etc.); 5) prag-matism and non-op-rag-matism (J. Dewey, R. Ror-ty and others). You can also talk about the growing ec-lec-tic-ness of modern concepts of Liberalism, which, in the opinion of its critics (Ch.R Mills and others), is one of the reasons for his ba-on-li-za-tion. The political reason for this trend is seen by the cri-ti-ki in the fact that modern Liberalism is turning into a “prag-ma-ti-che- and so-cio-lo-gi-che-skoe "description of the me-ha-niz-mov func-tsio-ni-ro-va-nia of the western society, someone swarm we are no longer able to evaluate these mechanisms from the point of view of growth or decrease in freedom (J. Dunn).

The internal d-na-mi-ka of modern Liberalism is op-re-de-la-et-xia discussion-kus-siya-mi on the following key-tops. The first topic: should Liberalism, as its main goal, strive to og-ra-no-che-niyu with-well-well-give- of the power of any pra-vi-tel-st-va (F.A. von Hay-ek) or is it a second-degree-pen-question, decided in -ve-si-mo-sti from how Liberalism copes with its most important for-yes-whose - under viy, without some-ry not-possibility-to-free-real-li-for-the-tion of a person of his own abilities (T.H. Green )? In the center of these discussions - from-no-she-nie of the state-su-dar-stva and society, functions and to-let-ti-my scales action-tel-no-sti first-of-the-go ra-di obes-pe-che-niya free-bo-dy development in-di-vi-da and co-general-st-va lu -day. The second theme: should Liberalism be “value-but-st-but-neutral”, serve its kind of “pure” technical-no-what -you are in-di-vi-du-al-noy of freedom without-from-no-si-tel-but to those values ​​​​that are attached to free man-of-age (J. Rawls, B. Ak-ker-man), or he embodies op-re-de-lyon values ​​(gu-man-no- sti, co-gift-no-sti, right-wed-whether-in-sti, etc.), forget-ve-ing someone-ryh-va-for-not-tho-mo-go pa-lips-us-mi after-st-via-mi (W. Gal-ston, M. Wal-zer)? With the second sub-ho-de, neither “price-but-st-neu-trality”, nor moral re-la-ti-vism for Liberalism is accepted. The axis of these discussions is the normative content of Liberalism and its embodiment in the institutes of modern society. The third topic: how are we connected with lytic freedom and private property, go-in-rya shi-re - ka-pi- talism? Here, pro-ti-in-sto-yat Liberalism is eco-but-mi-che-sky and temper-st-ven-but-po-li-ti-che-sky. The essence of the first one can be re-given in the form of von Miese Liberalism: “Pro-gram-ma-li-be-ra-liz-ma, if you to break it down in one word, it would be read like this: property, i.e. private ownership of the means of pro-from-water-st -va ... All the other tre-bo-va-nia li-be-ra-liz-ma you-te-ka-yut from this fun-da-men-tal-no-go tre -bo-va-nia ”(Mi-ses L. von. Li-be-ra-lizm. M., 2001. P. 24). The essence of the morals-of-veins-but-is-it-che-th-th-th Liberalism consists in the fact that the connection of freedom and part of sti is not one-but-meaning-on and is not-la-is-not-from-me-no in different historical circumstances. According to B. Cro-che, freedom “should have the courage to accept the means of so-qi-al-no-go pro-gres-sa, someone rye ... are-la-yut-sya different-but-about-raz-us-mi and about-ty-in-re-chi-you-mi, ”and ras-smat-ri-vat free- the ny market is only as “one of the possible types of eco-no-mi-che-go in a row” (Croce B. My Philosophy and other essays on the moral and political problems of our time. L., 1949. P. 108).

Kha-rak-ter-naya for Liberalism is convinced-zh-den-ness in the possibility of co-op-shen-st-in-va-niya of any public institutions-tu-tu-tov in-lu-cha-et its incarnation only in a specific so-qi-al-noy practice-ti-ke, vector-to-swarm for-wee-sit from in -whether and or-ga-ni-for-tion of people. According to R.G. Da-ren-dor-fa, “there is no such state of being, in which li-be-ra-lism would be real-li-zo-van full-stu. Lie-be-ra-lism is always a process ... in the middle of someone-ro-go-go-to-follow-du-yut-sya new opportunities for pain -she-th number of people. Every time this process needs new impulses to give it energy” (Dahrendorf R. The future tasks of libera-lism: a political agenda. L., 1988. P. 29).

Li-be-ra-lism in so-qi-al-no-po-li-ti-che-practice-ti-ke.

The practical implementation of the ideas of Liberalism, at least since the end of the 18th century, has been pro-is-ho-di-lo on several levels: a) mass in the first place; b) political ideology and party programs; c) po-ly-tic in-sti-tu-tov - first of all, par-ties, na-zy-vav-shih and / or considered-shih-be-be-ral- us-mi, etc. li-be-ral-no-go-su-dar-st-va. At these levels, the fate of Liberalism is different.

In the 18th century, Liberalism was rather aware of the “front-di-ruyu-schey” of the a-hundred-kra-ti-her and the faces of free professions on -ras-tav-she-go kri-zi-sa "old-ro-go in a row" than the class-co-howl of the ideo-lo-gi-her bourgeois-joie-zi. Yes, the British ly-tic eco-no-mia, from-ra-zhav-shay spirit of for-mi-ruyu-sche-go-sya com-mer-che-so-go-s-s-s-va , all-ma restrained-zhan-but from-no-si-las to the middle classes. A. Smith in “Bo-gat-st-ve-na-ro-dov” (chapter 11) called for the community to vigilance in from-no-she-nii “merchants and pro-mysh-len-ni-kov”, always prone to “ob-ma-ny-vat and ug-not-thief”. At the European con-ti-nen-te, Liberalism is from-whether-from-the-covered dis-affection to “just-sto-lu-di-us” and complete non-ve -we-em in the ability to-ro-yes manage a co-battle or at least, how you-ra-pity-sya Sh. Mon-tes-kyo, ob-su-g-give po-ly-tic de la. From-no-she-nie to de-mo-kra-tii would-lo-is-key-chi-tel-but not-ga-tiv-nym, and yes, for example, from-tsy-os-no- va-te-whether of the American Republic-pub-li-ki, uch-re-g-give-shi pre-sta-vi-tel-noe right-le-tion, vi-de-whether its main thing is to-sto-in -s-in that it can “create a force that doesn’t depend on the pain-shin-st-va, i.e. from the self- sch-st-va ”(Ma-di-son J., Ga-mil-ton A. To the na-ro-du of the state of New York. No. 51 // Fe-de-ra-list. M., 1994, p. 349). In these conditions, it’s not necessary to talk about the presence of Liberalism at the level of mass co-creation, ho- he already and you-stepped into the ka-che-st-ve of lytic ideology.

Si-tua-tion me-nya-et-sya in the 19th century - ad-re-sa-ta-mi of Liberalism become-but-vyat-sya under-no-may-schayu-sya-bourgeois-az-ny environments -nie classes, in-tel-li-gen-tion, enlightened part of chi-new-no-che-st-va and new (small and medium) earth- le-vla-del-tsy, adapt-ti-ro-vav-shie-sya to the ry-night conditions of the ho-zyay-st-in-va-nia. The “golden age” of classical liberal parties is coming, an example of some can be considered the English Lie-be- ral party under the leadership of U.Yu. Glad-hundred-on, and par-la-men-ta-riz-ma as or-ha-on me-niy and in-whether on-ro-yes, putting-len-no-go in the center of the state mouth -roy-st-va. As Voltaire wrote, "pa-la-ta communities are the real-lin-na-tion ...".

However, in these conditions, even in these conditions, Liberalism remains ideo-lo-gi-it less-shin-st-va, and its re-al-noe pro-nick-but -ve-nie in not-with-vi-le-gi-ro-van-nye layers would be nothing. “Na-qi-ey”, presenting in par-la-men-te, it would be names, but it’s less-shin-st-together with less-shin-st, represented by con-ser-va-tiv-ny-mi par-tia-mi (all-general-of-bi-rater right - for persons older than 21 years old - yes - lo vve-de-no in We-li-ko-bri-ta-nii, this “ko-ly-be-li mi-ro-vo-go-li-be-ra-liz-ma”, only in 1928!). At the same time, the most re-shi-tel-naya op-po-zi-tion of the ras-shi-re-niyu from the bi-rational right-wa is-ho-di-la then precisely from li-be-ra-lov "man-che-ster-sko-go-tal-ka" (Man-che-ster became at that time the "hundred-face-tsey" of the ka-pi-ta-listic in -du-st-ri-al-noy re-vo-lu-tion): they feared that their own-st-ve-ness might be under threat from hundred-ro-we-not-haves, better-better through races-shi-re-nie from bi-racial right, influence on the activities of the state-su-dar -st-va. From-no-she-niya between Liberalism and de-mo-kra-ti-her os-ta-va-lis-stretch-wives-us-mi on the pro-ty-the-same-nii of everything XIX century. The modern “de-mo-kra-ti-che-ka-pi-ta-lism” is the product of a hard and long political struggle, in a swarm and li-be-ra-liz-mu, and de-mo-kra-tii had to go to serious mutual concessions.

In the 20th century, especially after the 2nd world war, there was an obvious decline in liberal parties, despite the fact that the ideas of Liberalism - the value of the market, the rights of a person-lo-ve-ka, “pro-tse-bad-noy de-mo-kra-tii”, etc. in-lu-chi-li uni-ver- sal-noe recognition. In Li-be-ral-nom in-ter-na-tsio-na-le (os-no-van in 1947), the parties of 46 countries were represented, but only one of them - Canadian Li-be-ral-naya par-tia - per-rio-di-che-ski hundred-but-vit-sya-great-ve-sche. Parties in Japan and Av-st-ra-lii, naming themselves-be-be-ral-us-mi and in a hundred-yang-but (like the first) whether -bo time from time-me-ni (like a second-paradise) to-ho-dy-shchi-sya in power, fak-ti-che-ski yav-la-yut-sya con-ser-va -tiv-ny-mi. Other liberal parties have practically no chance of coming to power. Modeling for the 19th century the English Li-be-ral-naya par-tia pre-kra-ti-la su-sche-st-vo-va-nie in 1988, merging with so-qi -al-de-mo-kra-ta-mi (against-against-no-ki merging "re-sta-no-vi-li" her in 1989, but her ly-tic weight co-ver -shen-but nothing-women). At the same time, almost all the influential parties of the Western countries became li-be-ral-us and it’s hard-but we’re different in the program from -but-she-nii. Serious ideological and strategic differences, but some of them, even before the 2nd World War, were saved -zh-du so-tsi-al-de-mo-kra-ta-mi and liberals, came to naught. Ra-di-kal-op-po-zi-tion from the left and right-va prak-ti-che-ski is-chez-la, in any case at the par-la-ment level -sko-th pre-sta-vi-tel-st-va. Do-ti-ka-re-re-sta-la be a “argument about ideas” and turn into ad-mi-ni-st-ri-ro-va-nie, an hour something like “cri-sis-ny me-nej-ment”. All this is from-ra-zha-et layer-living-sya in mass co-creation-on-ni con-sen-sus from-no-si-tel-but basic-li-be-ral- nyh values, vos-pri-no-may-my as a sa-mo-obvious fact and have become their own sort of ba-nal-no-stya-mi.

Li-be-ra-lism in eco-no-mi-ke.

Theo-re-ti-ki of classical Liberalism ut-ver-zhda-whether unconditional priori-ori-tet in-di-vi-du-al-ny rights to property and svo-bo-du you-bo-ra eco-no-mic in-ve-de-niya. According to A. Smith, moral life and economic activity should be based on directives from a hundred we are go-su-dar-st-va, and the free market is in the process of natural sa-mo-re-gu-li-ro-va-nia spo-so-ben dos -tych more pro-of-di-tel-no-sti than a market with a lot of og-ra-no-che-ny: “Each-to-mu-lo -ve-ku, as long as he doesn’t on-ru-sha-et for-to-new-right-whether-in-sti, pre-before-becoming-la-et-sya co-ver-shen-but free-bod-but pre-follow-to-vat, according to one’s own-ve-no-mu-ra-zu-me-tion, one’s in-te-re-sy and con-ku-ri-ro-vat with one’s own labor house and ka-pi-ta-lom with labor and ka-pi-ta-lom of another person and the whole class ”(Smith A. Is-sle-do-va -nie about the nature and the cause of the rich-gat-st-va on-ro-dov. M., 2007. P. 647). From-flock-vae-my pre-hundred-vi-te-la-mi of Liberalism (laissez-faire) includes in itself from-day-st-vie of state sub-si-diy and various bar-e-ditch for trading; the cost of that-va-ditch and services-meadow should-on-op-re-de-lyat-xia is-key-chi-tel-but ry-night-ny-mi-si-la-mi.

Os-no-howl eco-no-mi-ki is a “free private enterprise”. The main task of-yes-whose go-su-dar-st-va is considered to provide-ne-che-nie stable right-for-forks of the game - to follow co-blu-de -no-eat for-con-no-sti, pre-du-pre-g-give the possibility of-on-strength, support-to-hold-to-to-chi-vost de-neg- noy sis-te-we and provide-ne-chi-vat svo-bo-du markets; pre-la-ha-et-sya, that between-f-from-vet-st-ven-no-stu pra-vi-tel-st-va and in-di-vid-dov should be balance and go-su-dar-st-vo should only decide those problems-yes-chi, someone-rye cannot be you-half-not-we over-le-zha- shchy ob-ra-zom part-st-ny sec-to-rum.

The principles of the state re-gu-li-ro-va-nia of the ka-pi-ta-list-istic eco-no-mi-ki opi-sa-ny in the works of J.M. Kane-sa, L. Bren-ta-no, L. Hob-how-sa, T.H. Green, B. Olin and J. Dewey, who played a prominent role in spreading the ideas of Liberalism throughout the world.

Li-be-ra-lism in Russia.

Liberalism as an ideological tech-tion in Russia with the formation of mi-ro-val-sya in the 1830-1840s. In its foundations, first of all, the ideas of the theo-re-ti-kov of French Liberalism (F. Guizot, B.A. Kon-sta-na de Re-beck, A. de To-to-vi-la) and G.V.F. Ge-ge-la, what-whether-lo-re-re-os-think-to-pour the experience of philo-so-fii Enlightenment in application to Russia and propose to live a project of mod-der-ni-za-tion of the country, pre-la-gav-shi significant pre-ob-ra-zo-va-niya so-tsi-al -but-po-lytic sys-te-we. First of all, at first, Liberalism got the most-big-neck races-pro-countries in the university environment. Subsequently, he increased his influence along with the development of public institutions-tu-tov (circle-kov, volume-e-di -not-niy, n-chat-nyh from-yes-nyy, or-ga-nov me-st-no-go sa-mo-management, etc.).

In its history, Russian Liberalism has gone through a definite evolution. According to the opinion of Russian li-be-ra-lovs of the 1830-1890s (K.D. Ka-ve-lin, B.N. Chi-che-rin, S.M. So-lov-yov, A .D. Gra-dov-sky and others), the key force in the historical process in Russia was go-su-dar-st-vo; it is able to develop a common va-tel-no, and the emergence of a civil society is possible only with the active participation of the government authorities. In the power of this-whether-be-ra-ly, you-stu-pa-whether against revolutionary shocks, someone-rye, under-ry-vaya state mustache -toi, on-ru-sha-whether the natural course of development and could plunge Russia into anarchy. Theo-re-ti-ki of Russian Liberalism from-stai-wa-whether the evo-lu-qi-on-ny path of pre-ob-ra-zo-va-niy, someone would call on -step-pen-but expand the right-in-guarantements of political and civil liberties ka-zh-to-go-lo-ve-ka and with time - it’s ras-cal-you-vat on the must-ta-nov-le-nie con-sti-tu-qi-on-nyh rows in Russia. At the same time, Ka-ve-lin and Chi-che-rin considered-ta-whether-be-real-values-not-with-together-we-mi with a de-mo-cratic principle -qi-pom borderless ge-ge-mo-nii pain-shin-st-va, because the key-howl for-yes-whose right-in-go-su -dar-st-va in-la-ga-li from-flock-va-nie in-te-re-owls in-di-vi-da. These ideas were also characteristic for “li-be-ral-ny bureau-ro-kra-ts” (A.A. Aba-zy, A.V. Go-lov-ni-na , D.A. and N.A. Mi-lu-ti-nykh, etc.) in the years of pro-ve-de-niya of the so-called. Ve-li-kih reforms of the 1860-1870s. They from-la-ga-were influence-tel-us-periodic from-da-niya-mi (for example, zhur-na-la-mi “Vestnik Ev-ro-py”, “Rus -skaya thought ”, etc.), public associations-e-di-non-niya-mi (legal general-st-va-mi, general-st-va-mi gram-mot- no-sti, Literary Fund-house, etc.), zem-ski-mi so-b-ra-niya-mi and or-ga-na-mi of the city self-management-le-tion.

At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries, the ideas of Liberalism changed as a result of the mod-der-ni-za-tion of the Russian society. New theo-re-ti-ki of Liberalism (V.M. Ges-sen, F.F. Ko-kosh-kin, P.N. Mi-lyu-kov, P.I. Nov-go-rod- tsev, etc.) is-ho-di-whether from mutually-ob-words-len-no-sti-li-be-ral-nyh and de-mo-cratic values-no-stey, which is required bo-va-lo ras-shi-re-niya trans-rech-nya ga-ran-ti-ro-van-nyh gra-y-yes-no-well free-bod, go-vo-ri-li oh right -ve-lo-ve-ka for a “decent life” (i.e., about the right to education, medical support, culture -ny do-sug, etc.), about the so-qi-al-noy function of self-st-ven-no-sti, someone-paradise must serve not only about it -la-da-te-lu, but also to all-to-mu-sche-st-vu. Such a conception is still pre-la-ha-la the active role of state power as re-gu-la-to-ra right-in-from- but-she-ny, and go-su-dar-st-vo, pre-ten-blowing-shche on you-ra-same-nie in-te-re-owls of pain-shin-st-va, must-but it would be de-mo-kra-ti-zi-ro-vat-sya and ga-ran-ti-ro-vat ly-tic rights to all their gra-zh-da-us. These ideas do-mi-ni-ro-va-li in the central organ-ga-nah of the periodical pe-cha-ti: ga-ze-tah “Russian Ve-do-mo-sti”, “ Bir-ve-ve-do-mo-sti”, “Right”, “Speech”, “Word”, “Morning of Russia”, “Vo-los Mo-sk-you” and etc., journal-on-lah "Vest-nick of Ev-ro-py", "Mo-s-kov-sky hedgehog-not-del-nick", etc.

Li-be-ral-ny ha-rak-ter but-si-lo Zem-stvo movement, some way-s-s-s-in-va-lo formalize - party-ty-nyh ob-e-di-non-ny: circle "Be-se-da" (1899-1905), So-yu-for os-bo-zh-de-ny ( 1903-1905), Soyu-for zem-tsev-con-sti-tu-tsio-na-listov (1903-1905). There was a pro-ve-de-na “Ban-ket-naya camp-pa-niya” of 1904 with the goal of bu-dit the Russian pra-vi-tel-st-vo to new re-for -mum - to the introduction of con-sti-tu-tion and political freedoms. In rezul-ta-te de-tel-no-sti of li-be-ral-nyh or-ga-ni-za-tsy managed to make connections between various circles ga-mi of the Russian society-of-st-ven-no-sti, you-ra-bo-tat ideo-logical-us-ta-nov-ki, someone-rye in the next-st-vie- whether in the OS-no-woo program-nyh do-ku-men-tov a number of political parties. Sa-mi parties on-cha-whether warehouse-dy-vat-sya after the publication of Ma-ni-fe-sta on October 17, 1905 (pro- gla-forces civil freedoms and the creation of a people's representative office in the form of the State Duma) in connection with not-about-ho-dimo-stu pro-ve-de-niya from a bi-racial campaign in Du-mu. In October 1905, the rise-nick-la Kon-sti-tu-tsi-on-no-de-mo-kra-ti-che-skaya par-tiya (par-tiya ka-de-tov; leader - P .N. Mi-lyu-kov), ob-e-di-nyav-shay side-ron-ni-kov of the left wing of Russian Liberalism: pre-hundred-vi-te-lei pro-professional su-ry (V.I. Ver-nad-sky, A.A. Ki-ze-wet-ter, L.I. Pet-ra-zhits-kiy, P.I. Nov-go-rod-tsev, M.Ya. Ost-ro-gorsky, V.D. Na-bo-kov and others), hell-in-ka-tu-ry (V.A. Mak-la-kov, M.L. Man-del-shtam, N.V. Tes-len-ko and others), Zem-sky dei-te-lei (brothers Pa-vel D. and Peter D. Dol-go-ru-ko-you , A. I. Shin-ga-rev, I. I. Pet-run-ke-vich, F. I. Ro-di-chev, Prince D. I. Sha-khovskoy, etc.). They are you-stu-pa-whether for the us-ta-nov-le-nie of the constitutional monarchy with the answer-st-ven-ny before the State Du-my pra-vi-tel -st-vom, pro-ve-de-nie shi-ro-kih so-qi-al-nyh pre-ob-ra-zo-va-niy, ras-calculate-you-wa-whether on account-re- di-tel-nye functions of the people's pre-sta-vi-tel-st-va, someone with the support of public opinion could go to the card-di-nal -nye-ly-tic re-forms, even without the sanction of them-pe-ra-to-ra. The most-bo-more half-but such a relationship to the evil-bo-day-about-the Russian political-li-ti-ki and the revolutionary movement from-ra-zi-moose in the collections Ve-khi (1909) and In-tel-li-gen-tion in Russia (1910). In November 1905, about-ra-zo-va-na party “So-yuz 17 October-rya” (leader - A.I. Guch-kov), representing right wing of Russian Liberalism. Ok-tyab-ri-sty (M.M. Alek-se-en-ko, V.M. Pet-ro-vo-So-lo-vo-vo, M.V. Rod-zyan-ko, N. A. Kho-myakov, S.I. Shid-lov-sky and others) you-stu-pa-whether for the introduction of a constitutional monarchy in Russia with the preservation of significant gender -but-my-im-pe-ra-to-ra, hoped for the possibility of a dialogue-lo-ha with the current authorities, party-ner-sky from -but-she-niya with someone could-could-let-pour-re-sewing a hundred-yav-shie before Ros-si-her pro-ble-we without so-qi-al -but-po-ly-tic-tri-se-ny. Pro-me-zhu-accurate in-zi-tion for-ni-ma-whether the party of li-be-ral-no-go center-tra: De-mo-kra-ti-che-re- party forms (M.M. Ko-va-lev-sky, V.D. Kuz-min-Ka-ra-va-ev, etc.), Mir-no-go update of couples -tia (P.A. Gei-den, M.A. Sta-kho-vich, D.N. Shipov, etc.), Party Progressives (I.N. Ef- re-mov, N. N. Lvov, E. N. Tru-bets-koy, etc.). They are on-the-flock-wa-whether on the new-le-nii of the political and right-in-howl life of Russia by way of the evolution of the traditional uk-la-yes and in a degree-pe-no-go-for-me-sche-niya of ar-ha-ich-nyh elements of so-qi-al-noy sis-te-we are co-time-men-us-mi.

Li-be-ral-nye parties of races-count-you-wa-whether pre-zh-de everything on par-la-ment-skuyu so-ti-ku. They play a key role in the activities of the State Duma of all four co-zy-vov, in 1915, the initiation-ro-wa-li created yes-tion “Pro-gres-siv-no-go block”, volume-e-di-niv-she-go op-po-zi-qi-on-noe pain-shin-st-in 4th Du-we, in the pe-ri-od of the 1st world-war-we for-nya-whether we-do-ing in the Zemsky soyuz, Soyu-ze go-ro -dov, Zem-go-re and in-en-but-pro-mouse-len-nyh-ko-mi-te-tah, some-rye ways-of-st-in-va-li con-co- whether-da-tion op-by-zi-qi-he-but on-stro-en-noy general-st-ven-no-sti. Li-be-ra-ly did-bi-li from-re-che-nia from the power of Emperor Ni-ko-lai II, after pa-de-nia sa-mo-der-zha-via in ho -de of the February revolution of 1917, sfor-mi-ro-va-li the first composition of the Provisional government-vi-tel-st-va, after-the-st-vii of their pre-st- wi-te-whether teaching-st-in-wa-whether in the work of all his co-hundreds. After the October Revolution of 1917 and the us-ta-nov-le-ny dik-ta-tu-ry more-she-vi-kov is-chez-la so-qi-al-naya and a lytic environment for races-pro-countries of liberal ideas in Russia.

Further development of a li-be-ral-noy thought about-is-ho-di-lo in the circles of the Russian emigration. Su-shche-st-ven-ny contribution outside the authors of the journal "No-vy grad" (I.I. Bu-na-kov-Fon-da-min-sky, N.A. Ber- dya-ev, S.I. Ges-sen, F.A. Ste-pun, G.P. Fe-do-tov, etc.), syn-te-for Liberalism and the principles of so-qi-al-noy of justice. Raz-ra-ba-you-vaya conception of christ-an-sky de-mo-kra-tii, they considered that pre-ob-ra-zo-va-nia in eco -no-micic sphere they don’t have self-mod-dov-leu-che-th value, but only must be able to niyu in-sti-tu-tov right-in-go-su-dar-st-va and civil society-st-va, oh-ra-no-che-nie right-va cha-st- noy own-st-ven-no-sti should not put under question the pri-mat of a person-lo-ve-che-personality.

In the post-Soviet period in Russia, li-be-real ideas were based-but-you-va-lied mainly on the end-chains-qi-yah not-windows-ser -va-tiz-ma and liber-ta-ri-an-st-va. Their sides-no-ki on-stai-va-li on mi-ni-mi-za-tion ro-li go-su-dar-st-va pre-zh-de everything in eco-but- the magical sphere, proceeding from the idea of ​​​​sa-mo-or-ga-ni-zuyu-schem-sya market, from-ri-tsa-li ha-rak-ter -nuyu for the modern European liberal thought-whether the concept of so-qi-al-no-go-su-dar-st-va.

What is liberalism? Each person will answer this question differently. Even dictionaries give different definitions of this concept. This article explains what liberalism is, in simple words.

Definitions

Several of the most precise definitions concept of liberalism.

1. Ideology, political movement. It brings together admirers of parliamentarism, democratic rights and free enterprise.

2. Theory, a system of political and philosophical ideas. It was formed among Western European thinkers in the XVIII-XIX centuries.

3. The worldview characteristic of the ideologists from among the industrial bourgeoisie, who defended the freedom of enterprise and their political rights.

4. In the primary sense - freethinking.

5. Excessive tolerance, condescension, conciliatory attitude towards bad deeds.

Speaking about what liberalism is, in simple words, it should be noted that this is a political and ideological movement, whose representatives deny revolutionary methods of struggle in achieving certain rights and benefits, advocate free enterprise, the implementation of democratic principles.

Basic principles of liberalism

The ideology of liberalism differs from other theories of political and philosophical thought in its special principles. They were formulated by scientists back in the 18th-19th centuries, and representatives of this trend are still striving to bring them to life.

1. Human life is an absolute value.
2. All people are equal among themselves.
3. The will of the individual does not depend on external factors.
4. The needs of one person are more important than the collective. The category "personality" is primary, "society" is secondary.
5. Every person has natural inalienable rights.
6. The state must arise on the basis of a general consensus.
7. Man himself creates laws and values.
8. The citizen and the state are responsible to each other.
9. Separation of power. Dominance of the principles of constitutionalism.
10. The government must be elected through fair democratic elections.
11. Tolerance and humanism.

Ideologists of classical liberalism

Each ideologist of this movement understood what liberalism was in their own way. This theory is represented by many concepts and opinions, which can sometimes contradict each other. The origins of classical liberalism can be seen in the works of C. Montesquieu, A. Smith, J. Locke, J. Mill, T. Hobbes. It was they who laid the foundations of a new trend. The basic principles of liberalism were developed back in the Enlightenment in France by C. Montesquieu. He spoke for the first time about the need for separation of powers and the recognition of individual freedom in all spheres of life.

Adam Smith substantiated what economic liberalism is, and also highlighted its main principles and characteristics. J. Locke is the founder of the theory of the rule of law. In addition, he is one of the most prominent ideologues of liberalism. J. Locke argued that stability in a society can only exist if it consists of free people.

Features of liberalism in the classical sense

The ideologists of classical liberalism focused on the concept of "individual freedom". Unlike absolutist ideas, their concepts denied the complete subordination of the individual to society and social orders. The ideology of liberalism defended the independence and equality of all people. Freedom was perceived as the absence of any restrictions or prohibitions on the implementation of conscious actions of the individual within the framework of generally accepted rules and laws. The state, according to the fathers of classical liberalism, is obliged to ensure the equality of all citizens. However, a person must independently worry about his financial situation.

Liberalism proclaimed the need to limit the scope of the state. Its functions should be reduced to a minimum and consist in maintaining order and ensuring security. Power and society can exist only under the condition of obedience to laws.

Models of classical liberalism

J. Locke, J.-J. Russo, J. St. Mill, T. Payne. They defended the ideas of individualism and human freedom. In order to understand what liberalism is in the classical sense, one should consider its interpretations.

1. Continental European model. Representatives of this concept (F. Guizot, B. Constant, J.-J. Rousseau, B. Spinoza) defended the ideas of constructivism, rationalism in interaction with nationalism, attached more importance to freedom within society than for individuals.
2. Anglo-Saxon model. Representatives of this concept (J. Locke, A. Smith, D. Hume) put forward the ideas of the rule of law, unlimited trade, were convinced that freedom is more important for an individual than for society as a whole.
3. North American model. Representatives of this concept (J. Adams, T. Jefferson) developed the ideas of inalienable human rights.

economic liberalism

This direction of liberalism was based on the idea that economic laws operate in the same way as natural ones. State intervention in this area was considered unacceptable.

A. Smith is considered the father of the concept of economic liberalism. His teaching was based on the following ideas.

1. The best incentive for economic development is self-interest.
2. State measures of regulation and monopoly, which were practiced within the framework of mercantilism, are harmful.
3. The development of the economy is directed by an "invisible hand". The necessary institutions must arise naturally without state interference. Firms and resource providers that are interested in growing their own wealth and operate within a competitive market system are allegedly directed by an "invisible hand" that contributes to the satisfaction of social needs.

Rise of neoliberalism

Considering what liberalism is, the definition must be given to two concepts - classical and modern (new).

By the beginning of the XX century. crisis phenomena begin to appear in this direction of political and economic thought. Workers' strikes are taking place in many Western European states, and industrial society is entering a period of conflict. Under such conditions, the classical theory of liberalism ceases to coincide with reality. New ideas and principles are being formed. The central problem of modern liberalism is the issue of social guarantees of the rights and freedoms of the individual. This was largely facilitated by the popularity of Marxism. In addition, the need for social measures was considered in the works of I. Kant, J. St. Mill, G. Spencer.

Principles of modern (new) liberalism

The new liberalism is characterized by an orientation towards rationalism and targeted reforms in order to improve the existing state and political systems. A special place is occupied by the problem of comparing freedom, justice and equality. There is the concept of "elite". It is formed from the most worthy members of the group. It is believed that society can only triumph thanks to the elite and dies with it.

The economic principles of liberalism are defined by the concepts of "free market" and "minimal state". The problem of freedom acquires an intellectual coloring and is translated into the realm of morality and culture.

Features of neoliberalism

How social philosophy and political concept, modern liberalism has its own characteristics.

1. State intervention in the economy is necessary. The government must protect the freedom of competition and the market from the possibility of monopoly.
2. Support for the principles of democracy and justice. The broad masses must actively participate in the political process.
3. The state is obliged to develop and implement programs aimed at supporting low-income strata of the population.

Differences between classical and modern liberalism

The history of the development of Russian liberalism

In Russia already in the XVI century. understanding of what liberalism is. There are several stages in the history of its development.

1. Government liberalism. It arose in the highest circles of Russian society. The period of government liberalism coincides with the reign of Catherine II and Alexander I. In fact, its existence and development covers the era of enlightened absolutism.
2. Post-reform (conservative) liberalism. Prominent representatives of this era were P. Struve, K. Kavelin, B. Chicherin and others. At the same time, zemstvo liberalism was being formed in Russia.
3. New (social) liberalism. Representatives of this direction (N. Kareev, S. Gessen, M. Kovalevsky, S. Muromtsev, P. Milyukov) defended the idea of ​​creating decent living conditions for each person. At this stage, the prerequisites for the formation of the Cadets Party were formed.

These liberal trends differed not only from each other, but also had many differences with Western European concepts.

Government liberalism

Earlier we examined what liberalism is (definition in history and political science, signs, features). However, authentic directions of this trend have been formed in Russia. A prime example is government liberalism. It reached the peak of its development during the reign of Alexander I. At this time, liberal ideas spread among the nobility. The reign of the new emperor began with a series of progressive changes. It was allowed to freely cross the border, import foreign books, etc. At the initiative of Alexander I, an Unofficial Committee was created, which was involved in the development of projects for new reforms. It consisted of close associates of the emperor. The plans of the leaders of the Unspoken Committee were to reform state system, the creation of a constitution and even the abolition of serfdom. However, under the influence of reactionary forces, Alexander I decided on only partial transformations.

The Emergence of Conservative Liberalism in Russia

Conservative liberalism was fairly common in England and France. In Russia, this direction has taken on special features. Conservative liberalism takes its origin from the moment of the assassination of Alexander II. The reforms that the emperor developed were only partially implemented, and the country still needed to be reformed. The emergence of a new direction is due to the fact that in the highest circles of Russian society they began to understand what liberalism and conservatism are, and tried to avoid their extremes.

Ideologists of conservative liberalism

In order to understand what post-reform liberalism in Russia is, it is necessary to consider the concepts of its ideologists.

K. Kavelin is the founder of the conceptual approach to this direction of political thought. His student, B. Chicherin, developed the foundations of the theory of conservative liberalism. He defined this direction as "positive", the purpose of which is to implement the reforms necessary for society. At the same time, all segments of the population must defend not only their own ideas, but also take into account the interests of others. According to B. Chicherin, a society can be strong and stable only if it is based on power. At the same time, a person must be free, since he is the beginning and source of all social relations.

The development of the philosophical, cultural and methodological foundations of this trend was carried out by P. Struve. He believed that only a rational combination of conservatism and liberalism could save Russia in the post-reform period.

Features of post-reform liberalism

1. Recognition of the need for state regulation. At the same time, the directions of its activity should be clearly identified.
2. The state is recognized as the guarantor of the stability of relations between various groups inside the country.
3. The realization that during the period of growing failures of the reformers, it becomes possible for authoritarian leaders to come to power.
4. Transformations in the economy can only be gradual. The ideologists of post-reform liberalism argued that it was necessary to monitor the reaction of society to each reform and carry them out with caution.
5. Selective attitude towards Western society. It is necessary to use and perceive only what meets the needs of the state.

The ideologists of this direction of political thought sought to embody their ideas through an appeal to mass values ​​that were formed in the process of the historical development of society. That is the purpose and distinguishing feature conservative liberalism.

Zemsky liberalism

Speaking of post-reform Russia, it is impossible not to mention what zemstvo liberalism is. This trend emerged in the late XIX - early XX centuries. At that time, modernization was taking place in Russia, which led to an increase in the number of intelligentsia, in whose circles an opposition movement was formed. In Moscow, a secret circle "Conversation" was created. It was his work that initiated the formation of the ideas of the liberal opposition. Zemstvo figures F. Golovin, D. Shipov, D. Shakhovsky were members of this circle. The Liberation magazine, which was published abroad, became the mouthpiece of the liberal opposition. Its pages spoke of the need to overthrow autocratic power. In addition, the liberal opposition advocated the empowerment of zemstvos, as well as their active participation in government.

New liberalism in Russia

The liberal current in the political thought of Russia acquires new features by the beginning of the 20th century. The direction is formed in an environment of sharp criticism of the concept of "rule of law". That is why liberals set themselves the task of justifying the progressive role of government institutions in the life of society.
It is important to note that in the XX century. Russia is entering a period of social crisis. Its cause, the new liberals saw the usual economic disorder and spiritual and moral catastrophe. They believed that a person should have not only the means of subsistence, but also leisure, which he will use for his improvement.

Radical liberalism

Speaking about what liberalism is, it should be noted the existence of its radical trend. In Russia, it took shape at the beginning of the 20th century. The main goal of this movement was the overthrow of the autocracy. A striking example of the activities of radical liberals was the Constitutional Democratic Party (the Cadets). Considering this direction, it is necessary to highlight its principles.

1. Downplaying the role of the state. Hopes are pinned on spontaneous processes.
2. Achieving your goals in various ways. The possibility of using coercive methods is not denied.
3. In the field of economics, only quick and deep macro-reforms are possible covering as many aspects as possible.
4. One of the main values ​​of radical liberalism is the combination of the experience of world culture and developed European states with the problems of Russia.

Contemporary Russian liberalism

What is modern liberalism in Russia? This question is still debatable. Researchers put forward different versions about the origin of this direction, about its principles and features in Russia.
Scientists identify some features of modern liberalism in Russia. Let's consider them in more detail.

1. Reasoning about the political system often goes beyond liberalism.
2. Substantiation of the need for the existence of a market economy.
3. Encouragement and protection of private property rights.
4. The emergence of the question of "Russian identity".
5. In the field of religion, most liberals are in favor of a tolerant attitude towards other faiths.

conclusions

There are many currents in the liberal direction of political thought today. Each of them has developed its own principles and special features. Recently, there has been a debate in the world community about what innate liberalism is, whether it exists at all. It should be noted that even the French Enlighteners argued that freedom is a right, but the understanding of its necessity is not available to everyone.

In general, it can be said that liberal ideas and transformations are an integral feature of modern life.