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To What Extent Do Classical and Modern Liberals Follow the Same Principles in Their Ideology?

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To what extent do Classical and Modern Liberals follow the same principles in their ideology? (45)

Typically, liberalism is categorised into two separate components; Classical liberalism, which was fashioned during the 19th century and the more recent modern liberalism that emerged following the rise in industrialisation. Although both divisions of Liberalism unavoidably overlap in attitudes and principles regarding the theory behind the ideology, there are a number of notable differences when the two forms of ideology are analysed together. Some will say that both Classical and modern liberalists possess a number of parallel approaches towards this political theory and its key concepts. Therefore, it shall be my conclusion that, whilst both Classical and Modern Liberals follow the same ideology, they interpret it in a different way.

Firstly, both strands of Liberalism believe in the necessity of some kind of a state, since life without a state, as Thomas Hobbes stated, would be ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’. Both views consider the existence of a state to be essential in order to protect individual rights. Since Liberalism, from a general perspective, considers humanity to be self-interested and egoistical. The importance of the state is emphasised since it ensures that individuals do not exploit other individuals rights (through acts of theft, harm etc.). Liberal analysists, Hobbes and Locke, particularly stressed the importance of creating a ‘social contract’ where an agreement amongst individuals would be initiated, to form a state in order to avoid chaos and disorder. Therefore, the state is there to act almost as a neutral referee in society, by implementing laws enshrined in the constitution and by democracy – a principle that applies to both ideological components of Liberalism. Classical and Modern Liberals do follow similar ideological

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