Classical liberalism developed in the 19th century and referred to a philosophy based on the principle of limited government and freedom of individuals. Social welfare liberalism is a philosophy based on the ideals of social foundation. These two philosophies followed similar ideals and endorsed market economy, political rights, individual freedoms and liberties but differed on some issues. Social welfare liberalism tends to lean on the side of the Democrats, whereas classical liberalism leans on the conservative Republican side. Classical liberalism drew from the Adam Smith psychological understanding of individual liberty, utilitarianism and natural laws that believes in progress and leaving everyone alone. It has been the dominant liberalism in America and Britain for the past years but of late social welfare liberalism seems to be the preference. These two liberalism philosophies differ on the ideas of Darwinism.
According to traditional liberals, laissez Faire capitalism is the viewpoint where the community and economics believe in every man for himself. Those who work hard and are strong survive. Corporations use social Darwinism to justify their attitudes and rights or wrong doings in their actions. Classical liberalism also believes in limited government involvement. It advocates for individualism and free markets with minimal government presence. It argues that the government intervention disrupt the market forces so the government should stay away from peoples and corporations unless it is necessary. Classical liberalism also believes in small government intervention which favors competition within the society and lead to financial stability and better standards of living. Minimal government involvement also applies in the case of property. Classical liberals hold more value on the property and materials than social welfare liberals and believe in private property rights. Classical Liberals valued assets such as land more than Welfare liberals who would most likely use up land for public use.
Social welfare liberals differ from classical liberals in their belief that the government should address economic and social security. This takes place through health care and education; otherwise the poor will never be free. Welfare liberalism wishes to guarantee safety net for all citizens and at the same time ensure no one gets financially lost. According to welfare liberalism, the government should be a tool to assist less fortunate people. This welfare state does not apply in classical liberalism who embraces social Darwinism in its place. Social welfare liberalism considers the good of the community as equivalent to personal freedom in the classical case. This liberalism also believes in control of competition where the government should regulate corporations and companies to avoid corruption, the rise of monopolist and other problems resulting from free trade. Social welfare liberalism also believes in freedom of property but differ from classical liberals in the extent of regulation. The limitation of the regulation allows organizations and property owners to make money within set regulations.
Social welfare liberalism focuses on social harmony necessary to promote a thriving community, unlike classical liberalism. Social welfare liberalism invokes policy of affirmative action based on an equal opportunity but this idea does not apply in classical liberalism. It also differs from classical liberalism in its cradle to grave welfare and free trade. As identified, the two liberal philosophies differ significantly on social and economic perspectives. Welfare liberals advocate for the control and equal opportunity whereas classical advocates for survival of the fittest.
Concepts and impacts of populist and progressive movements
Populist and progressives refer to forms movements that occurred after the civil war during the outbreak of the workers union based on people's dissatisfaction with the government. Populist preceded progressive movement and occurred in 1880s whereas the latter began during 1900s. These two movements have differences but share many similarities. The populist movement grew out of the agricultural sector, and comprised poor and untrained farmers uniting to protect their interests. Farmers felt that industrialist and bankers had too much power and to some point it led to political parties such as the Populist Party. Populist agenda wished to reform the banking industry through the increased governmental jurisdiction in order to ensure free silver coinage. Populism rose from rural American areas and grew as a result of imbalances in the running of the American economy and wished to restore a sense of power to the average working man. Populism united farmer’s interests from north and south as well as both black and white. Socialization through such activities as picnics was the main way of spreading populist ideas.
Many of the goals and ideas of populism became laws later in America which advocated for the election of senators by populist vote rather than state legislation. Populism demanded universal ballot voting so as to guard employees against employers directing voting patterns. Populism also introduced the ideas of the referendum and initiative and advocated for the abolition of government owned rails, socialist ideas and national banks. It also advocated for a graduated tax system where the rich paid more tax than the poor. Populist also argued for a postal saving system that would necessitate ordinary people to make deposits in private banks. They also advocated for unlimited coinage silver in order to increase the money in circulation.
Progressive movement (1901-1917) focused primarily on the political system reforms rather than on the economic system as was the case so populist movement. It arose as a result of political and corporate abuses which led to calls for reforms from religious groups, civic groups and the press. It called for the establishment of socialist governments and embraced reforms. Progressive movements grew as a result of a partisan election process that affected every unit of the American society. This movement was against exploitation of workers, women and children as well as unchecked corruption in large businesses. It mainly comprised of middle class made up people who felt that the rich and the poor interests conflicted with their interests. Progressive movement viewed organization’s interests and labor unions with suspicion as a source of socialist aggression. Both large corporations and American immigrants presented similar pressure. Therefore, this movement considered regaining of lapsed power as its first priority.
The impact of the progressive movement includes the prohibition of manufacturers, transportation and sale of alcoholic drinks under the 18th amendment of the constitution. Progressive movement also made attempts under Keating-Owen Act of 1916 that prohibited child labor and exploitation of children. Under this movement, women received a right to vote, and more rights to control their earnings, property and access to children in the event of a divorce. Progressive movement also saw to the 16th and 18th amendments of 1913 enabling the government collection of more taxes and direct election of senators effectively. Progressive movement also led to reforms such as state, city, federal reforms and amendments which helped to deal with corruption.
The concept behind the new deal and the reasons for its success in making America successful and prosperous
The New Deal refers to programs based on economic planning used by Franklin D. Roosevelt to accent to power in America between 1933 and 1938. These programs assumed that the federal government had to use all its powers with a goal of getting the nation out of the Great Depression effects and used the concepts of relief, recovery and reform. Its primary purpose was to reduce peoples suffering followed by recovery of business and industries through new legislation. The ultimate objective was to solve problems arising from the Great Depression through reform legislation. It promised to reduce unemployment, provide social welfare to the poor and deal with the Great Depression through increasing government intervention in the economy. The first objective upon election was to deal with the suffering of around 15 million unemployed Americans. This led to the creation of Work in Progress Administration and Civilian Conservative Corps to provide emergency and short-term solutions to unemployment. The New Deal in the years before 1935 concentrated on revitalization of business and Agriculture and initiated the forming of a National Recovery Administration to revive industries.
Direct relief was the immediate goal aimed at alleviating people hardest hit by the depression. This led to expansion of Hoover’s Federal Emergency Relief Administration work relief program to include a civilian Conservative Corps, Public Works Administration in 1935, as well as the Works Progress Administration. This also included other programs for relief rural Americans and the programs received praises from Economists such as Milton Friedman.
Recovery concept referred to efforts through numerous programs that aimed at restoring the American economy to normal health. Based on economic indicators, recovery concept got achieved by 1937 apart from unemployment. The reform concept basis was on the assumption that The Great Depression arose as a result of market instabilities. Arguably, the government should have intervened so as to rationalize and stabilize the economy which would ensure a balance of interest between farmers, business and labor. Reform included the National Recovery Administration in 1933, Regulation of Wall Street (1934), Agriculture Adjustment Act (1933,1938), Insurance of Banks Deposit (1933) and Wagner Act that favored the labor union of 1935. It led to limiting work hours and minimum wages in 1938. Roosevelt was against socialism.
The New Deal led relationship change between the government and citizens and how the president relates to the congress. Although the New Deal failed in eliminating the effects Great Depression, it successfully influenced the American government and Culture. The balance of power between the Presidency and Congress got affected with the President gaining additional powers. The New Deal also expanded the powers of the federal government significantly. The new deal led to stronger democratic parties and was the foundation of the ideology of the New Deal Liberalism created by President Roosevelt. The New Deal Liberalism protected citizens from depression and material crisis. New Deal Liberalism led to a liberal agreement between 1940 and 1980 and remains a significant influence in the American politics to date. The New Deal established welfare state programs on which American public demands and expects more social support from the government. These programs included the Tennessee Valley Authority and Social Security. Social Security Act led to the formation Social Security systems to ensure social welfare whereas the Tennessee Valley Authority provides flood control, navigation, electricity, fertilizer and economic development. The New Deal Led to strong democratic parties that have contributed to prosperity and success of the American Economy.
