Liberalism and Socialism: A Mutual Alliance Exploration: Investigating the correlation and compatibility between Liberalism and Socialism.
A Fresh Take on Liberalism's Troubled Past
Liberalism's had a rocky decade, with self-declared post-liberal aristopopulists and illiberal democrats presenting a significant challenge. However, the re-election of Donald Trump and the resurgence of Bernie Sanders and the left wing of the Democratic Party have brought about a resurgence of interest in left-liberalism, or liberal egalitarianism.
This tradition, which includes revolutionaries like Thomas Paine and Mary Wollstonecraft, feminist Aristotelians like Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen, and self-described 'liberal socialists' like John Stuart Mill and John Rawls, has its roots in the Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and reason. Unlike classical liberalism, which prioritized limited government and individual rights, left-liberalism advocates for social reform, welfare, and a more active state to ensure fairness.
A Tale as Old as Time
The origins of left-liberalism can be traced to the tumultuous 18th and 19th centuries, as liberals sought to challenge the aristocracy and establish a more equitable society. Thomas Paine, deemed the 'father of the American Revolution,' championed democracy, social welfare, and the rights of the common man in Common Sense (1776). In Rights of Man (1791-92), he called for a mass redistribution of wealth, arguing that the rich had exploited the poor and owed them a debt of gratitude.
Mary Wollstonecraft, in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), took aim at aristocracy and focused on women's rights and equality. She observed the buffoonery of the emerging capitalist class and criticized their preoccupation with commerce and the degradation of human dignity it brought.
John Stuart Mill, in his later works, identified himself as a 'socialist' and called for the gradual abolition of the capitalist class in favor of worker-run firms. He argued that these would be more efficient and more liberal in their lack of rigid hierarchies.
Modern Iterations
In contemporary times, left-liberalism has found a resurgence, thanks in part to figures like John Rawls and his book A Theory of Justice (1971). Rawls argued that economic inequalities could be justified only to the benefit of the least well off and that only a property-owning democracy or a liberal socialist regime could adequately realize liberal principles of justice.
Feminists like Martha Nussbaum and economists like Amartya Sen have been influenced by Rawls's work, while black radical liberals like Charles Mills and Tommie Shelby have sought to apply liberal principles to societies marred by long histories of racism.
The Future of Left-Liberalism
Left-liberalism is currently undergoing a period of creative and energetic development, driven by a desire to restore hope in a liberalism that has been co-opted by elitist remove and smug technocracy. Ideas from the past are being reexamined and updated in the fight against oligarchy and the ever-growing inequality perpetuated by laissez-faire capitalism.
It remains to be seen whether left-liberalism can reclaim its radical roots and help steer liberalism towards a more equitable and just future. Whether we choose to embrace this tradition or not, it's clear that left-liberalism has a vital role to play in the ongoing conversation about the nature of a fair and just society.
Deeper Dive:
- The Lost History of Liberalism by Helena Rosenblatt - examines the misunderstandings surrounding the history of liberalism and reveals its progressive roots.
- Liberalism Against Itself by Samuel Moyn - discusses the evolution of liberalism, from its revolutionary beginnings to its contemporary embracing of capitalism, questioning whether liberalism can survive without a return to its social justice roots.
- The Idea of Equality: An Alternative History of the West by Amartya Sen - presents a unique perspective on the development of the concept of equality from ancient Greece to modern times.
It's Time to Speak Up:
It's crucial that we engage in open and honest discussions about the future of liberalism and the role of left-liberalism within it. Share your thoughts and join the conversation! Remember, the future of liberalism depends on all of us. Revisit the past, forge a new path, and pave the way for a fairer, more equal future.
'In the evolving narrative of political philosophy, the resurgence of interest in left-liberalism prompts a reconsideration of freethought and general-news discussions, as modern iterations mirror the pioneering work of thinkers like Thomas Paine, Mary Wollstonecraft, and John Stuart Mill.'
'As John Rawls's work in A Theory of Justice continues to influence feminists like Martha Nussbaum and economists like Amartya Sen, it becomes necessary to question the current state of left-liberalism, challenging the status quo with fresh perspectives and open dialogues that strive towards a fair and just society.'
