What is classical liberalism?
Classical liberalism is a political philosophy from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It champions individual liberty, free markets, free trade, the rule of law and limited government. It inspired the repeal of the Corn Laws and Victorian free trade. Modern libertarianism and free-market conservatism both draw on it.
Its key thinkers include John Locke, Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill. Smith argued in The Wealth of Nations, published in 1776, that free exchange and competition create prosperity better than state control. Mill defended free speech and the idea that the state should only restrict liberty to prevent harm to others.
In Britain, classical liberals pushed for free trade, religious freedom, wider voting rights and an end to aristocratic privilege. The repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 was a landmark. The Liberal Party grew from these ideas. Classical liberals also backed a free press, the rule of law and the abolition of slavery. Many argued that free trade would promote peace between nations by making them depend on each other.
From the late nineteenth century, many liberals began to support a bigger state to tackle poverty, which became known as social or new liberalism. Classical liberal ideas revived in the late twentieth century through economists such as Hayek and Friedman. Today the term is used by people who favour markets and civil liberties but reject both socialism and social conservatism.
Where you've seen it
Victorian Britain's free trade era, including the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846, and the early United States.
In the UK today
Its ideas appear in arguments for free trade, lower taxes, deregulation and free speech, especially on the free market wing of the Conservatives and in some think tanks.
The left tends to argue classical liberalism protects property more than people and ignored the poverty of the industrial age.
The right largely embraces its defence of markets, property and limited government as the foundation of prosperity.
Britain is split. Now you decide.
See how classically liberal your views are with WeDecide's party match, then test free trade and low tax in the Budget.
Play WeDecide freeCommon questions
What is the difference between classical and modern liberalism?
Classical liberals want a limited state. Modern or social liberals support a bigger role for government in welfare and public services.
Who are the main classical liberal thinkers?
John Locke, Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill are the best known.
Is classical liberalism the same as libertarianism?
They are closely related. Libertarianism usually pushes for an even smaller state.
Which thinkers are linked to classical liberalism?
Adam Smith and John Locke. Classical liberalism comes from thinkers like Adam Smith and John Locke.
What does classical liberalism see as government's main job?
Protecting rights, enforcing contracts and keeping order. Classical liberals want a limited state that protects rights, enforces contracts, defends the country and keeps order.