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Full Idea
In the classical liberal tradition freedom meant freedom from external control, and equality meant equality before the law. In the welfare state (of Beatrice Webb) freedom was reinterpreted as freedom from want, and equality as equality of opportunity.
Gist of Idea
The welfare state aims at freedom from want, and equality of opportunity
Source
Micklethwait,J/Wooldridge,A (The Fourth Revolution [2014], 3)
Book Ref
Micklethwait/Wooldridge: 'The Fourth Revolution' [Penguin 2014], p.69
A Reaction
The authors call this the 'third revolution' in government, after 17th century centralisation and early 19th century accountability. Tawney 1931 is the key text.
| 20096 | Roman law entrenched property rights [Micklethwait/Wooldridge] |
| 20099 | For communists history is driven by the proletariat [Micklethwait/Wooldridge] |
| 20098 | Fans of economic freedom claim that capitalism is self-correcting [Micklethwait/Wooldridge] |
| 20097 | The welfare state aims at freedom from want, and equality of opportunity [Micklethwait/Wooldridge] |
| 20100 | Classical liberalism seeks freedom of opinion, of private life, of expression, and of property [Micklethwait/Wooldridge] |