The System of Liberty: Themes in the History of Classical Liberalism (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781107005075)

Liberal individualism, or "classical liberalism" as it is often called, refers to a political philosophy in which liberty plays the central role. This book demonstrates a conceptual unity within the manifestations of classical liberalism by tracing the history of several interrelated and reinforcing themes. Concepts such as order, justice, rights, and freedom have imparted unity to this diverse political ideology by integrating context and meaning. However, they have also sparked conflict, as classical liberals split on a number of issues, such as legitimate exceptions to the "presumption of liberty," the meaning of "the public good," natural rights versus utilitarianism, the role of the state in education, and the rights of resistance and revolution. This book explores these conflicts and their implications for contemporary liberal and libertarian thought.

Author: George H. Smith
ISBN-10: 1107005078
ISBN-13: 9781107005075
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 04/22/2013
Pages: 236
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.20w x 0.70d