Full Idea
While freedom and equality are liberal values …they are fundamental regulative ideas of an independent society that is self-regulating …and decides what its own social and political arrangements should be.
Gist of Idea
Liberals value freedom and equality, but the society itself must decide on its values
Source
John Charvet (Liberalism: the basics [2019], 06)
Book Reference
Charvet,John: 'Liberalism: the basics' [Routledge 2019], p.62
A Reaction
So the central political activity is persuasion, not enforcement. Illiberal societies all contain liberal individuals.
Related Idea
Idea 23090 Liberals assume people are naturally free, equal, rational, and morally good [Kekes]