In: Economics
What was Enlightenment including its ideals? What was Classical Liberalism?
Classical Liberalism holds that there are rights of which no Government may deprive its citizens. Rights are inherent in the natural order. They belong to citizens. Three such rights are Life, Property, and, Liberty. This, in the declaration of independence, says that men share inalienable rights - life, liberty, and, the pursuit of happiness.
It places a strong emphasis on an individual's right to property. It works with a capitalist economic system. It advocates limited Government, and, is suspicious of centralized political power. It is a political ideology, grounded in the notion of limited Government, and, individualism.
It demands formal legal, and, political equality. It does not expect social, and, economic equality.
Enlightenment is related to ideals, and, revolutions, especially the 1789 French Revolution. The revolutionaries meant to establish a new reason-based order. It instituted the enlightenment ideals of equality, and, liberty. At its heart is an informal society of the men of letters. It is an intellectual, and, social movement. It is a process of psychological, social, and, spiritual development.