In Defense of Classical Liberalism

In Defense of Classical Liberalism

I am a liberal—full stop. I am a “mere liberal.” I situate my political practice in the history of liberalism, drawing inspiration from the works of the “classical liberals,” and especially Adam Smith, Benjamin Constant, and John Stuart Mill. There is much in their writings of evergreen relevance to liberals today. But for just this reason, I resist efforts by libertarian conservatives to commandeer the classical tradition of liberalism. Many wh…