The system of liberty : themes in the history of classical liberalism / George H. Smith, Cato Institute.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smith, George H., 1949- author.

Contributor:

Cato Institute.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Liberalism.

Liberty.

Individualism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ix, 225 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Liberal individualism, or 'classical liberalism' as it is often called, refers to a political philosophy in which liberty plays the central role. This book demonstrates a conceptual unity within the manifestations of classical liberalism by tracing the history of several interrelated and reinforcing themes. Concepts such as order, justice, rights and freedom have imparted unity to this diverse political ideology by integrating context and meaning. However, they have also sparked conflict, as classical liberals split on a number of issues, such as legitimate exceptions to the 'presumption of liberty', the meaning of 'the public good', natural rights versus utilitarianism, the role of the state in education, and the rights of resistance and revolution. This book explores these conflicts and their implications for contemporary liberal and libertarian thought.

Contents:

Liberalism, old and new

Liberalism and the public good

Liberal ideology and political philosophy

Sovereign state, sovereign self

The anarchy game

The radical edge of liberalism

The idea of freedom

Conflicts in classical liberalism

Individualism

Methodological individualism.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

ISBN:

1-107-35729-2

1-107-23418-2

1-107-34142-6

1-107-34767-X

1-107-34517-0

0-511-79332-4

OCLC:

841487315