To what extent is Modern Liberalism a departure from liberal

To what extent is Modern Liberalism a departure from liberal principles?Classical liberals’ values and ideas stem from the Enlightenment. This was when they rejected the traditional monarchic society for a meritocratic and tolerant society. As an ideology, classical liberals believe in negative freedom, lassaiz faire economy and minimal state. This idea was challenged by the modernising world regarding industrialization an inequality created from war. This increased class differences and reduce individual Liberty and development for the working class, which introduced modern liberalism. This somewhat departs from the original classical ideas as advocates positive freedom, a managed economy and a cradle to grave welfare. Although their ideas differ, their core belief of human nature a limited government, is the same, suggesting the departure isn't as dramatic as it first may appear.In regard to the size and role of the state, modern liberals could be considered a departure from liberal principles due to the fact they disagree with classical ideas that the state should be minimal. Modern liberals believe in an enabling state, this is in order to provide an equality of opportunity, where they acknowledge society isn’t fair, therefore they aim to provide social justice through provision of welfare such as facilitating education and free healthcare known as cradle to grave welfare. This enables individuals to reach their potential and access opportunities, supporting developmental individualism. This is supported by J.S Mill, believing the state should provide access to basic welfare in order for the individual to flourish in society, therefore proving positive freedom is beneficial to society. Classical liberals, however, believe in a minimal state, where individuals are left to themselves with no state intervention through negative freedom, removing any interference. This is due to their fear that state intervention will take decision making out of the hands of the individual and reduce self-reliance. This is because they believe individuals are capable and self-seeking therefore, they do not need any encroachments in their life.Classical liberals believe the state would have too much power and could become oppressive, corrupting individuals as well as the people in power and should only be there to protect humans’ basic rights. This is supported by John Locke, who states the government should have a limited role in society. In this way, modern liberalism does depart from classical as they both believe in different levels of state intervention, meaning their ideas of society are very different, although both do believe the state should be there in order to protect human rights and to prevent one induvial from having too much power such as a monarch showing their core belief remains the same.Both modern and classical have different views on the level of management of the economy including taxation. Modern could be seen as a departure as classical liberals argue that the economy should be laissez faire. The economy should be entirely unregulated with no state intervention which maximises individual freedom and promoting self reliance. This is also because classicals don’t want any one group in society to have much power in its control, therefore allowing individuals to fulfil the principle of freedom. This is supported by Adam smith, who supports the classical idea that the economy should be self-regulating. In contrast, modern liberals advocate a Keynesian economy. Which involves elements. Of the government interfering in the economy in order to provide greater social justice. This is also to prevent economic downturns which could lead to unemployment and poverty. This is a

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