Indian Journal of Society and Politics

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Decline of Liberal Political Philosophy


Affiliations
1 Department of Law, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, Punjab, India
 

Liberalism as an idea grew immensely in the 19th and the 20th century. The French Revolution, World War I and World War II laid down the foundation of many liberal and democratic governments across the world. However with time, growth of globalization and competition among the countries, reduced the notion and importance of Liberty. The concept of Liberalism is a political philosophy which connotes to an ideology propagating free will and individualism. Proposed by John Locke, it calls for individual will of the people free from interference from the Government. Thomas Paine, John Stuart Mill and Adam Smith were propagators of free will and individualism. T.H. Green later criticized the concept propagated by traditional liberalists and gave the modern theory of Liberalism, which lays stress on 'Welfare State'. But even the theory given by Green has failed. The reasons for the decline of liberalism are the fact that the liberalists ignore the ethical basis of society. In a society we live together in a cohesive manner and not segregated as individuals, with no interference. For being a welfare state, the State shall have to interfere in the lives of the people, no interference and discipline will lead to a society of anarchy. In everyday, practical globalized and free market life liberalism does not prove to be as fruitful as thought and proves to be a Utopian idea. The decline in liberalism has led to a shift towards Utilitarianism and Communitarianism. To save the idea of Liberalism, it is important to develop it in a practicable and modern theory which encompasses the needs of people and the core idea of Liberalism, at the same time, reducing the xenophobia and utilitarianism.

Keywords

Politics, Philosophy, Decline, Liberalism.
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  • Decline of Liberal Political Philosophy

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Authors

Mugdha Jain
Department of Law, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, Punjab, India

Abstract


Liberalism as an idea grew immensely in the 19th and the 20th century. The French Revolution, World War I and World War II laid down the foundation of many liberal and democratic governments across the world. However with time, growth of globalization and competition among the countries, reduced the notion and importance of Liberty. The concept of Liberalism is a political philosophy which connotes to an ideology propagating free will and individualism. Proposed by John Locke, it calls for individual will of the people free from interference from the Government. Thomas Paine, John Stuart Mill and Adam Smith were propagators of free will and individualism. T.H. Green later criticized the concept propagated by traditional liberalists and gave the modern theory of Liberalism, which lays stress on 'Welfare State'. But even the theory given by Green has failed. The reasons for the decline of liberalism are the fact that the liberalists ignore the ethical basis of society. In a society we live together in a cohesive manner and not segregated as individuals, with no interference. For being a welfare state, the State shall have to interfere in the lives of the people, no interference and discipline will lead to a society of anarchy. In everyday, practical globalized and free market life liberalism does not prove to be as fruitful as thought and proves to be a Utopian idea. The decline in liberalism has led to a shift towards Utilitarianism and Communitarianism. To save the idea of Liberalism, it is important to develop it in a practicable and modern theory which encompasses the needs of people and the core idea of Liberalism, at the same time, reducing the xenophobia and utilitarianism.

Keywords


Politics, Philosophy, Decline, Liberalism.

References