Single Idea 22808

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / a. Liberalism basics]

Full Idea

Liberalism has been defended as a theory of minimal government, or as a theory of basic individual rights, or as an egalitarian philosophy.

Gist of Idea

Liberalism is minimal government, or individual rights, or equality

Source

Avineri,S/De-Shalit,A (Intro to 'Communitarianism and Individualism' [1992], §5)

Book Reference

'Communitarianism and Individualism', ed/tr. Avineri,S. /de-Shalit,A. [OUP 1992], p.11


A Reaction

Minimal government tends towards anarchist liberalism, but then what grounds the right to be free of government? Presumably any sensible theory of rights has to be egalitarian. What could ground unequal rights?