Compare And Contrast Classical Liberalism And Conservatism

Classical Liberalism and Conservatism To justly compare modern liberalism and modern conservatism one must realize where these modern constructs preceded from. One must look at classical liberalism and conservatism and what doctrines helped to shape them and make them different from each other. Classical liberalism dates back to the seventeenth century and lasted until the nineteenth century. This was during the time that kings ruled because God selected the king’s family to shepherd His people. Classical liberalism opposed the “divine rights of Kings” (PP Classical Liberalism) and wanted to maximize the rights of the people and minimize the power if the state. It was during this time that liberalists like John Locke, Adam Smith, Jean-Jacques
This theory states that obedience to any other entity besides reason (like tradition, revelation or faith) threatens society’s progress. This can be seen multiple times in history, like the Y2K scare and whenever some devout Christian claims to have a word from god that the world will end. When people go against their own reasoning progress is reverted, if not paused. The fourth theory of classical liberalism regards progress of mankind as a whole. In the Classical Liberalism PowerPoint, it is stated that mankind will advance “[by] expanding knowledge, allowing debate, improving economic conditions, banish superstition and eliminate old attitudes etc…” (PP Classical Liberalism). This is very true and goes hand-in-hand with the theory regarding reason. Without reason none of these aspects would progress mankind, but without these aspects reason would only be an ability to decipher something without any progression. The fifth theory of classical liberalism deals with equality. The classical liberals worried more “[of] opportunity rather than outcome” (PP Classical Liberalism). When thinking of the masses, the classical liberals thought that men with property should have