There are several key areas of comparison between classical and modern liberalism. Comparing the two strands of liberalism however, reveals that there indeed exists differences and similarities alike when between classic and modern liberalism. First focusing on the differences, Jonathan Goodman highlighted that while classical democracy is about personal freedom, democracy, and laissez-fair or rather free trade, modern liberalism on the other hand is a euphemism for progressive socialism. It encourages social Marxism, and stirs up gender and racial hatred. In addition, he maintained that modern liberalism is responsible for the distrust and hatred towards capitalism as well as create a misunderstanding of the role of state. Modern liberalism creates the notion that the state should provide everything for free to its citizens (Goodman, 2019). At this stage it is also important to introduce the similarities between classic and modern liberalism. Both forms of liberalism are in favor of a free market economy and have made no liberal attempt to nullify capitalism. In theory, both political ideologies are based on the fact that the role of the government is to protect and preserve the rights of its citizens (Butler, 2015).
Answering the question on whether the United States is a liberal society helps advance this discussion. Peter Dreier described liberalism as a political and a moral philosophy based on liberty and equality. He however affirms the state of affairs in America today disqualifies her as one of the liberal nations especially in the current century. Citing a 2017 survey to support his assertion, Dreier reveals that economic inequality is one of the problems the United States is faced with today with 82% of the survey participants revealing that the gap between the rich and the poor is already big, and unluckily still widening. 66% of Americans also believe that money and wealth should be distributed more evenly, and 59% also believe that the minimum wage per hour should be raised due to the huge gap between it and the maximum hourly wages (Dreier, 2017). With regards to economy, 82% of Americans maintain that the wealthy hold too much influence and power in Washington and so does large businesses. Finally, and 65% of Americans believe that the nation’s economy favors powerful interests. (Dreier, 2017). These statistics highlight a nation crying for equality and that is why it is easy to conclude that the United States liberal society. Regarding the question on preferred kind of liberalism, I pick classical liberalism. This is because unlike modern liberalism, I believe classical liberalism is philosophical position denouncing political thoughts on the basic and important axioms and the actuality of free persons and free minds (Butler, 2015). It is the confidence that the individual is not a subject but a sovereign citizen.
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Finally, it is important to answer the questions on whether there exists a party in the United States that is classically liberal and also whether there is a chance both parties in the United States are modern liberal. Derek Roberson through his publication in Politicomagazine provides answers to these questions. First, he said The Modern Whig Party is the only party in America which identifies with its classical liberal roots. He added that political parties in the United Students today are mainly neoliberal. He narrated that these parties have become socially progressive and at the same time in support of genera economic regulation (Robertson, 2019).
References
Butler, E. (2015). Classical liberalism- a primer. New York: Do Sustainability.
Dreier, P. (2017). Most Americans are liberal, even if they don’t know it. The American Prospect. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://prospect.org/article/most-americans-are-liberal-even-if-they-don’t-know-it
Goodman, C.J. Classical liberalism vs. modern liberalism and modern conservatism. Goodman Institute. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from http://www.goodmaninstitute.org/how-we-think/classical-liberalism-vs-modern-liberalism-and-modern-conservatism/
Robertson, D. (2018). Why the ‘classical liberal’ is making a comeback. Politicomagazine. Retrieved February 11, 2019 from https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/06/16/why-the-classical-liberal-is-making-a-comeback-218667
