por What is social liberalism?
He social Liberalism, either socioliberalism, is a political doctrine that seeks to find a balance between individual liberties and social justice. This ideology is based on the defense of individual initiatives, while seeking to limit the influence of the State on issues of social and cultural life of individuals.
According to the postulates of social liberalism, the exclusive function of the State must be to guarantee equal opportunities and promote both individual development and the freedom of all citizens. But in no case should you intervene in their decision-making.
In this sense, the followers of this current are located in an intermediate point between the socialists and the conservative liberals. Of the former, they criticize his desire to socialize the economy. They consider that this type of policy inevitably leads to an ineffective State paternalism that ends up repressing individuals.
Origin of social liberalism
The term «liberal»
The term liberal applied to the political sphere appeared in the Spanish Cortes in 1810. The “liberal” members of this parliament rebelled against absolutism. In 1812, his effort resulted in the promulgation of a new constitution that restricted the powers of the monarchy.
Among others, the Constitution of 1812 required the king to carry out his work through ministers. In addition, a parliament was created without special representation of the church or the nobility, the central administration was restructured into a system of provinces and municipalities, and the individual right to private property was reaffirmed.
However, the liberal success was short-lived. In the 1823-33s, the liberals were purged while the conservatives tried to re-establish government control of the economy and the power of the church and the upper classes.
Early liberal ideas against absolutism
In the 19th century, the term liberal gained validity in Spain, but the central ideas of liberalism are older. Many believe that they originated in England during the century of struggle for political and religious freedom that ended with the overthrow of James II in 1688.
From this century on, the powers of the absolutist monarchy were greatly reduced. This political change was accompanied by a new theory of constitutional government, which asserted the limited nature of political authority.
According to John Locke’s postulates, the role of government was to ensure the common good and protect the freedom and property of its subjects. They had rights that existed independently of the determinations of any civil authority.
They could even rebel against any government that began to rule tyrannically.
Arguments in favor of religious tolerance
Apart from challenging absolutism, arguments in favor of religious tolerance began in the 16th century.
In France, the most important defender of this doctrine was Pierre Bayle (1647-1706). His writings marked the beginning of the French liberal tradition. From England, Locke also wrote against religious persecution.
Even earlier, in Spain, Francisco Vitoria (1486-1546) of the School of Salamanca argued that the pope had no right to grant European rulers dominion over the peoples of the New World, and that he could only determine where they could continue. his missionary work.
In that sense, he argued that the «pagans» had the right to their property and their own rulers. In this way, he affirmed the rights of individual conscience against the claims of sovereign authority, as well as the principle of equality of all human beings.
The American federalist model
In the British tradition, Parliament asserted the right to check the power of government. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the power of the monarchy was almost completely eroded.
But in the American tradition, the dispersal of power among the states in a federation controlled executive power. In addition, there was a deliberate separation of powers between the distinct and independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
Thus, the American system of government represented an explicit attempt to design a system of political authority that would limit the power of government and protect individual liberty.
But the government retained its ability to defend the public domain against external enemies or to serve the common good.
From classical liberalism to social liberalism
Thinkers in 16th and 17th century Europe would not have recognized the term liberal. Nevertheless, modern liberalism evolved from his ideas. That evolution was not purely a development of theory, but the product of both philosophical investigation and political experimentation.
At the end of the 19th century, liberalism began to divide into two currents. The «classic» sought to establish a solid framework to protect people from the power of the State. His goal was to control its size and promote international free trade. He valued political liberties and attached special importance to property rights.
On the other hand, social liberalism also valued political freedom, the right of individuals to make their own decisions, and free international trade. But in addition, he introduced the idea of a fair distribution of wealth and power.
Characteristics of social liberalism
Postulates of classical liberalism
In general, social liberalism maintains the postulates of classical liberalism. As such, he upholds his beliefs about the right of individuals to have civil and political liberties. He also believes in international free trade.
Fair distribution of wealth and power
But in addition, he considers that a commitment is needed for a fair distribution of wealth and power.
For social liberals, through the payment of taxes the State can guarantee the enjoyment of education, health, justice and security on equal terms. AND they highlight the importance of democracy as a form of fair distribution of power.
Moderate state intervention in the economy
On the other hand, they postulate that moderate intervention in the economy is a function of the State to avoid the formation of private or public economic monopolies.
For this reason they declare themselves in disagreement with socialism, since it sponsors economic monopolies in the hands of the State alone. In this way, socialism generates economic inefficiency and social injustice.
Equal opportunities
On the other hand, they defend equal opportunities, individual development and the freedom of citizens to make decisions related to their future.
In general lines, social liberalism defends progressivism, social justice and liberal democracy.
Representatives of social liberalism
Leonard Trelawny Hobhouse (1864-1929)
He was an English sociologist and philosopher who tried to reconcile liberalism with collectivism (collective ownership of the means of production) to achieve social progress.
This conception is based on his knowledge of various other fields such as philosophy, psychology, biology, anthropology, and history of religion.
Among the works where he outlined these thoughts are The theory of knowledge (1896), development and purpose (1913), The metaphysical theory of the State (1918), the rational good (1921), The elements of social justice (1922) and social development (1924).
Leon Victor Auguste Bourgeois (1851-1925)
He was a French politician, recognized as the father of solidarism (the French name by which social liberalism is also known). In his theoretical developments, he emphasizes the obligations of society with each of its members.
His publications include Solidarity (1896) The politics of social planning (1914-19), The 1919 Pact and the League of Nations (1919) and The work of the League of Nations (1920-1923).
Francisco Giner de los Rios (1839-1915)
He was a Spanish philosopher, educator and essayist whose thinking was at the center of the Krausist trend. This trend was characterized by his attempt to combine and reconcile rationalism with morality.
In his extensive work stand out Principles of natural law (1875), Legal and political studies (1875), The social person. Studies and fragments I and II (1899) and Summary of Philosophy of Law I (1898).
Gumersindo de Azcárate y Menéndez (1840-1917)
Spanish thinker, jurist, professor, historian and Krausist politician. Major works by him include Economic and social studies (1876), Philosophical and political studies (1877) and concept of sociology (1876).
Also notable in his work The legality of the parties (1876).
William Henry Beveridge (1879-1963)
This British economist was a leading progressive and social reformer. He was best known for his report on Social Security and Allied Services written in 1942.
His work is made up of the titles Unemployment: an industry problem (1909), Prices and wages in England from the 12th to the 19th century (1939) and Social Security and Related Services (1942).
The titles also belong to his production Full employment in a free society (1944), why am i liberal (1945) and Power and Influence (1953).
Differences with economic liberalism
Both social and economic liberalism stem from a common theoretical construct, liberalism. However, only socioliberalism constitutes a formal ideology.
The objective of the latter is the individual freedom of people. Economic liberalism, for its part, is the means to achieve that goal.
Thus, social liberalism is related to the application of liberal principles to the political life of the members of a society. The final purpose, in general, is the achievement of their freedom and well-being.
For its part, economic liberalism advocates the development of material conditions in order to guarantee the achievement of the same objective.
References
Martínez Fernández, AC (2016). Progressive liberalism: its strong ideas. Taken from debate21.es.
Pineda Portillo, N. (2017). Social liberalism or socioliberalism. Taken from latribuna.hn.
González, P. (s/f). Neither socialism nor liberalism: Socioliberalism. Taken from camaracivica.com.
Kukathas, C. (2001). Liberalism. The international context. In JR Nethercote (editor), Liberalism and the Australian Federation, pp. 13-27. Annandale: Federation Press.
Howarth, D. (2009). What is Social Liberalism? Taken from socialliberal.net.