Liberalism

In response to the Industrial Revolution, two political ideoligies developed: Liberalism and Socialism. Liberalism emphasized individual economic and political freedom, while Socialism focused on the condition of the working classes. Today I read about liberalism.

Although liberalism today pushes for social entitlements(such as food, health care, a minimum standard of living and education), back then it only asked for political rights(freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, etc.). It combined moral and economic arguments, saying that limited government power and control was necessary for prosperity. For nations that were ruled by others, the goal of liberalism was self-government. For nations that had no representation or constitution, a constitution was the goal. Overall, the aim was freedom under an organized government.

Although I would not support the liberal standpoint today, from what I have read of it's views back then, I would agree with it's goals. When government becomes too powerful, it becomes tyrannical, and through history it is plain what happens to a nation with a tyrannical government.