the idea of liberalism

The idea of liberalism antedates the use of the term liberalism. It developed in the philosophical and religious traditions of the West, specifically in one trend in Christian theology and political philosophy, as well as in the humanism of Enlightenment philosophy, which had its roots in Europe’s Renaissance and was very influential in 18th-century political thought. Underlying these theological, philosophical, and humanistic trends is the belief that human beings’ basic nature is good and that human beings have a tremendous capacity for knowledge and reason, even though that nature and capacity can be corrupted by power or by coercive elements in government and society. When liberated, however, human beings are able to improve themselves and their world continually as they reach toward, even if never ultimately reaching, perfection.

Thus, liberalism’s focus is the good that is possible in this world and not the salvation of souls for the eternity of the next. That is, liberalism is a “secular” mode of thought in the original meaning of the word “secular.” Originally, “secular” did not mean “nonreligious,” as it does in popular discourse today. Rather, “secular” pertained to those things that are time bound and, therefore, not of that other eternal world but are of importance to the “this-worldly” pursuits of the here and now. Consequently, secularism in this sense does not oppose religion, but rather emphasizes the “this-worldly” pursuits of religion and other endeavors. Nevertheless, because liberalism involves liberation of the people and their free associations from governmental constraints and the coercive elements of custom and tradition (including religious traditions and their institutions), liberalism emphasizes the need for government to remain unentangled with religion and vice versa. Consequently, liberalism holds that government’s role is not to constrain human beings in order to limit their potential to sin. That had been the traditional Christian political theory’s justification for government’s domination of the people in coordination with ecclesiastical authorities. Rather, liberalism promoted the revolutionary notion that human beings can be trusted with liberty. The idea is that even though there may be missteps along the way, when human beings are free, they naturally and ultimately, through experience and reasoned reflection, progress toward human flourishing. This leads in turn to greater and greater degrees of happiness in this world, and ultimately to an unfolding revelation of the true and the good. Hence, change is possible and is good as it can lead to progress toward that better world of tomorrow; that is, the “golden age” is in the future and not in the past.