Liberalism
Description/Abstract
Liberalism is a philosophy, a political theory, a theory of education, an idea in economics, and a religious idea, all of which ultimately are grounded in the liberty of individuals and the free associations they create. Fundamentally, what liberalism values is the liberation of humanity from what liberalism holds are coercive elements of customs and traditions, as well as the authority of class privilege, aristocracy, and coercive ecclesiastical or political power, so that ethical, social, economic, and theological progress is possible. To serve the goal of progress in these areas, liberalism promotes political/legal systems that preserve the liberty and equal dignity of individuals while otherwise limiting governmental restraint, so that individuals and their voluntary associations are free to pursue ends that they hold will contribute...
