For many years I went along with the idea that the political Left was equivalent to liberal, and the Right equivalent to conservative. But this is not necessarily so. American liberalism has evolved in some surprising ways. Let's take a look at the major shifts between then and now.
American Revolution and Classical Liberalism
John Locke developed the phrase consent of the governed, which refers to the idea that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is only justified and legal when consented to by the people or society over which that political power is exercised.
This was the catalyst for the American Revolution.
Thomas Jefferson used that concept when he wrote "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in the declaration of independence. Included, was Adam Smith's classical economics and free trade, and laissez-faire government with minimal intervention and taxation, and a balanced budget.
Thomas Jefferson used that concept when he wrote "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in the declaration of independence. Included, was Adam Smith's classical economics and free trade, and laissez-faire government with minimal intervention and taxation, and a balanced budget.
The rebels eventually rejected British domination for this classical liberalism. Classical liberals were committed to individualism, liberty and equal rights, along with a vibrant free business community. And while the founders were liberal in their rebellion, they bore more of the social attributes of a social conservative.
Social Liberalism
By the end of the nineteenth century, there grew a perception of the evils of poverty, unemployment, and relative deprivation present within modern industrial cities. Some Victorian writers – including Charles Dickens, Thomas Carlyle and Matthew Arnold – became early influential critics of social injustice and concerned about social balance.
Classical Liberalism was defeated in Russia when the Communists came to power under Vladimir Lenin in October 1917.
The worldwide Great Depression, starting in 1929, hastened the discrediting of classical liberal economics and strengthened calls for state control over economic affairs.
The English economist John Maynard Keynes, who had been taught classical liberalism, became increasingly a welfare or social liberal. He came to believe that where the market failed to properly allocate resources, the government was required to stimulate the economy until private funds could start flowing again – a "prime the pump" strategy designed to boost industrial production.
The English economist John Maynard Keynes, who had been taught classical liberalism, became increasingly a welfare or social liberal. He came to believe that where the market failed to properly allocate resources, the government was required to stimulate the economy until private funds could start flowing again – a "prime the pump" strategy designed to boost industrial production.
Economic woes prompted widespread unrest in the European political world, leading to the strengthening of fascism and communism. Their rise in 1939 culminated in the Second World War. The Allies, who won World War II, included most of the liberal nations as well as communist Russia. They defeated Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and militarist Japan.
President Roosevelt experimented with Social Liberalism by initiating government programs to help the American people overcome the effects of the Great Depression of 1929. This had limited success, but it was World War II that was the greatest determining factor which pulled the United States out of the economic ma-laze. The gross domestic product increased 17 percent, and unemployment fell below 10 percent for the first time since 1929.
After the war, there was a falling out between Russia and the West, and the Cold War opened in 1947 between the Communist Eastern Bloc and the liberal Western Alliance.
Up until the 1970's, socialist and communist countries continued to grow. In America, an economic crisis was crushing society and could not be resolved by Keynesian tactics. Ronald Reagan redirected policies toward a more market driven strategy - more in-line with Milton Friedman. This included and emphasis in privatization, fiscal austerity, deregulation, free trade, and reductions in government spending in order to increase the role of the private sector and economic growth.
The U.S. regained a thriving economy and its domination as an economic powerhouse. Eventually communist countries like Russia (through government change) and China (through market change), had to introduce more capitalistic programs to compete.
The U.S. regained a thriving economy and its domination as an economic powerhouse. Eventually communist countries like Russia (through government change) and China (through market change), had to introduce more capitalistic programs to compete.
Modern Liberalism Today
By 2008, a major world wide economic crisis caused countries to react in a variety of ways. Austerity was popular in Europe (pay off debt), while the U.S. approach was to use Quantitative easing (borrow more debt).
Additionally, social changes in the U.S. complicated economic factors. A division between the two major political parties had been growing for decades and came to a severe divide during the 2016 presidential election.
Additionally, social changes in the U.S. complicated economic factors. A division between the two major political parties had been growing for decades and came to a severe divide during the 2016 presidential election.
With a stagnating economy, uncertainty of security, revolutionary social mores, and other worries, Trump was unexpectedly elected into office to the dismay of many.
Much of the expectation for the voters was to let an outsider with business knowledge overcome the ineffective log jam at Capitol Hill.
Much of the expectation for the voters was to let an outsider with business knowledge overcome the ineffective log jam at Capitol Hill.
Many hidden U.S. voters propelled Trump into office. Another example of this was in the UK. Hidden voters called Shy Tories also broke from the EU, primarily due to immigration and a domineering control from Brussels. It can be said that American Republicans may have garnished some political momentum from their actions.
At present, the social dynamics of Left and Right are at a critical mass. The social divergence between Democrats and Republicans is at an all time high - and could be argued to be a full fledged social/political civil war. Anger and resentment from both sides are currently battling for survival of their ideas. With disagreement on social policies, both sides agree that good economic results should be the goal...however, the means to that end vary greatly.
I believe that the social ideology of Americans is key to defining political policy. At this time, president Trump follows a populist pragmatic governing style. He wishes to relax the political Left's concepts, while standing firm on some moderate and many of the Right's views.
What will Liberalism look like in the future?
It's hard to say.
If Trump can overcome the political backlash from the angry Left, to implement his programs, the U.S. will adapt to the results of his policies. If the policies are successful, the U.S. will evolve into a new system of governing. Social programs will remain, but with a more cost effective strategy. Economics and rule of law will be strictly enforced.
As a result, Conservatives will take on some of the Left's social characteristics, while the Independents and the Left will shift to the economic right. This would be a major shake-up in politics, and fling the U.S. into an unknown territory, ultimately requiring a redefinition of Modern Liberalism.
