We have to distinguish liberalism as a theory in the history of political thought from liberalism as a regime in actually existing societies (liberalism as a concrete type of political-theological order). I take liberalism as theory to be a family of doctrines, of which theological, political, and economic liberalism are the main branches. All these descend from a master commitment to the autonomy of the individual, of the individual’s reason and desires, implying that the main aim of political action must be an ever-greater liberation of human capacities from the constraints—political, social, economic, even biological—that hamper the maximum fulfillment of that autonomy, consistent with a like fulfillment for all. [Vermeule Jul2k19]
History of the word[]
As far as our research goes, the first time this term was used in a political sense was in the year 18 12, and the "place of action" -not unnaturally-was Spain, a nation famous for its individualism, its inor- dinate sense of liberty, its strong anarchical drives. The supporters of the Constitution of Cadiz were called los liberales and their opponents (among them the Apostolicos) were nicknamed los serviles. Yet even at this very early stage of the game a certain amount of misunderstand- ing had crept into the use of this term inasmuch as the Constitution of Cadiz also had democratic features while the majority of the Apos- tolicos had federalistic (local rights) leanings which became even more marked when the Carlist Wars broke out and the Liberals rallied around Queen Isabel II who also enjoyed the aid of enthusiastic British volun- teers. It took several years for this nomenclature to make its appearance in England. Southey used it for the first time in 18 16 and, significantly enough, employed the Spanish form, speaking of "our liberales." Sir Walter Scott, soon afterward, copied it from the French, referring to the liberals as liberaux. In the early 1830s, when after the reforms of Sir Robert Peel the new parties emerged, the Whigs became the Liberals and the Tories the Conservatives. [Leddihn]
Media[]
Adrian Vermeule on Sacramental Liberalism and Ragion di Stato James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions Published on Jun 12, 2019 902 views as of 3. Aug 2019