Liberalism as an ethical ideal

The history of liberalism is the history of an ethical ideal as well as a set of political and social arrangements. In the latter sense liberalism entrenches the juridical equality of all citizens, their equal civil and political rights – including among those rights a set of liberties strong enough to restrict the authority of society over the individual in a fundamental way. How to express in institutions this politically fundamental restriction is an important matter of debate, but that debate will not concern us. For present purposes I assume I can refer to liberalism as a set of political and social arrangements without further examination. Our concern will instead be the liberal ethical ideal and its present prospects.

What is this ideal? The question is best answered historically, both because the ideal has gone through significant changes and because many people who think of themselves as liberals are now seriously unsure about what it is or should be. Or so it seems.

Undoubtedly a central element of the liberal ideal has been an ethical and not just juridical idea of equal respect. It has been of utmost political importance. For more than two centuries, one might say – that is since the French Revolution, but certainly with earlier roots in the growth of towns, trade and individualism – it has helped to generate a drive towards juridical equality in all spheres, abolition of all forms of social discrimination.