What is classical liberalism?

Dr. Nigel Ashford explains the 10 core principles of the classical liberal & libertarian view of society and the proper role of government:

1) Liberty as the primary political value
2) Individualism
3) Skepticism about power
4) Rule of Law
5) Civil Society
6) Spontaneous Order
7) Free Markets
8) Toleration
9) Peace
10) Limited Government

Student opportunities: http://lrnlbty.co/A7y5Dt
Dr. Ashford is Senior Program Officer at the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) at George Mason University.

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[Jalestra]

Actually, I've never had a problem figuring out what I need, when. It's not that difficult. And yes, I get angry at someone who says "individuals are not the best judge of what they want". Your life and mine is not the same and newsflash: One size doesn't fit all. Pertinent information is far more widely available than I was growing up. If you don't think the individual should make a decision then you must think that other people have the right to make decisions on behalf of other people.

[DocTheMedic3]

Anger much? Yes, many of us are uninformed in other areas of life. That was the whole point of my comment. Your statements assume that people actually know when to and which specialist to go to, and also that one should reap the consequences of their choices based on the information they have obtained. In practice, pertinent information isn't that consistently and widely available, and people shouldn't be faulted for it.

I'm still not seeing the godlike attitude you speak of.

[Tom Martyr]

I think it's more simple than that...Anarchical Society is not conducive to an environment where elected representatives (or appointees) legislate to guarantee and protect rights and liberties...let me broaden the discussion...what about we consider introducing the participatory democratic model as opposed to the representative democratic model???

[Jalestra]

BTW, it's this condescending and godlike attitude that makes people not trust doctors, if you're name is relevant to your field. It's this kind of bs arrogance that makes many of us stay away from doctors and thus, less informed to make good decisions. Then you get to see us at the end result. You're in the medical field, you're not more equipped to decide my LIFE..just inform me of medical information and treat me. Many of you are just as uninformed in other areas of life.

[Jalestra]

Wrong. If I need specialized knowledge about my illness, I go to a specialist, I pay him for his specialized knowledge and (if he values honestly and my liberty) he tells me the results of my crop of choices. *I* am making the choice and paying him to assist me, but he does not make the decision FOR me. Then I decide, with his information, what end result I want and work toward that effort IF I deem it appropriate for my situation. This is for a normal human in control of their own lives.

[Socrates OfAthens]

The real trouble that is facing today's generation is ignorance and naivety in not knowing that there is a difference between Classical Liberalism, or Libertarianism, and the skewed radical egalitarian philosophy that is modern Liberalism.

[SolviChopper]

Limited govt would solve an awful lot of major problems overnight.

[Thomas Johnson]

I wasn't defining anarchy as a majority based voluntary government. That was my point. If the majority determine what rights are fundamental to citizenship as well as hold the Govt. accountable to it, there is no guarantee that this will be the case.

I'm not against liberty, voluntarism, or anarchy. What I am asking is how an anarchic state can define and enforce laws without lawless rogues executing their own brand of justice or having people act on vaguely understood ideals.

[Tom Martyr]

I am not arguing or advocating for anything! Anarchist societies are essentially Stateless societies where law is negated by absolute, unlimited, unfettered individual freedom! I am comfortable with this classic definition... I wouldn't define Anarchy as you have ..

[Thomas Johnson]

So, you are advocating for a majority based voluntary government? Is that anarchy? Or have we defined anarchy to mean that there be no organization with a monopoly of violence?