In general, liberalism is the concept of freedom desired by humans in living life in a country. Because, no individual likes to be limited, restrained or treated unfairly. Actually, what is the concept of liberalism like?
Definition of Liberalism
In essence, liberalism is the freedom of every person in various fields of life. According to the KBBI, liberalism refers to a flow that requires personal freedom. In other words, no one should interfere with the complete freedom that each individual has.
Liberalism is also defined as freedom to think broadly, to have an open attitude and to say anything frankly. Because, the main goal of liberalism is a society that is free in all respects and has equal rights.
Another opinion defines liberalism as a philosophical, political and ideological view that considers that equal rights and freedoms are the main values that are owned by everyone.
In a liberal society, every individual has the right to control production resources, has the right to choose a political party without any interference from other parties and conduct open competition.
Liberalism Background
Two major events associated with the emergence of liberalism are the Magna Carta Charter and the French Revolution. Both of these events were born from a conflict of absolute power that limits human life and causes injustice.
The Magna Carta was first published on 15 June 1215 in England. In essence, the charter contained King John’s agreement to preserve the laws of the land, uphold freedoms for the church and respect feudal and privileged privileges.
It is this document that underlies the development of a more democratic UK and the path to recognition of human rights. After that, ideas about freedom or liberalism began to develop.
One of the most striking evidence is the thought of John Locke. He wrote his thoughts on this understanding in a book entitled “Two Treatises of Government” in 1690.
The second event was the French Revolution which began on May 5, 1789 until November 9, 1799. The main factor that triggered the emergence of the French Revolution was the division of social classes, namely the nobility, landlords and commoners.
Such social stratification creates inequality and unfair policies. Another cause is the financial crisis experienced by France and the political turmoil that occurred. Based on that the people who feel oppressed rebelled to demand justice.
Finally, the French Revolution had a positive impact on the life of France and Europe as a whole. No more social stratification, policies that favor certain parties and restrictions on trade regulations.
New ideas such as liberalism grew and spread to other countries as did the emergence of democracy and republicanism.
Then, this understanding entered Indonesia around 1870. The reason for the entry of liberalism was the Dutch government which implemented an Open Door Policy specifically for capitalists or capitalist groups.
According to history, the peak of the era of freedom or liberalism in Indonesia was between 1870 and 1900. However, during this period, freedom referred more to the opportunities that were wide open for entrepreneurs with money to invest.
Features of Liberalism
Each understanding has its own characteristics, as well as liberalism. The main characteristics of liberalism are:
- The community has the freedom to carry out anything, be it trade, lifestyle or religion as long as it does not violate the provisions of the law;
- Every citizen has equal opportunities in all fields. In other words, opportunity and equal rights are absolute for every individual;
- The government has a limited role and only makes the necessary basic regulations. In other words, the state is only considered as a tool to achieve great goals without having a regulatory function;
- The law applied is beneficial, defends freedom, defends equal rights and prospers all people;
- The government has absolutely no right to influence and interfere in the affairs of every citizen in the fields of religion, economy or other fields of life;
- Big companies are free to control smaller companies and even have the opportunity to control their own country’s economy;
- The policies issued must obtain the approval of the people because the highest power is in the hands of the people, not the government;
- The doctrine of dogmatism is completely invalid because it restricts freedom of belief and thought.
Liberalism Theory
It should be noted that liberalism is divided into two theories based on its era. The two theories in question are classical and modern liberalism.
Although it is called classical and modern, it does not mean that modern theory replaces classical theory. In fact, the theory of classical liberalism actually exists and survives because its basic values have never been lost.
Meanwhile, modern liberalism only adds a few new ideas that enrich the understanding of liberalism as a whole. The following is an explanation of each theory of liberalism:
1. Classical Liberalism
In the 16th century, classical liberalism theory emerged and developed in Europe and the United States. According to classical theory, liberalism is a political ideology that fully supports civil and political liberties.
There are two notions that are closely related to classical liberalism, namely political democracy and economic capitalism. The notion of political democracy is based on individual freedom that is positive and responsible.
The existence of political democracy is a sign that it is the people who hold the highest sovereignty. Next is economic capitalism which refers to freedom in regulating the market system and avoiding interference from other parties.
Classical liberalism has 10 principles, including:
- The virtues of each individual
- Support human freedom
- Growing tolerance
- Reduce coercion
- Limiting government authority
- Carrying out the rule of law that benefits all people
- Believing in spontaneous order
- Ensuring equality for all human beings
- Protecting economic freedom and private property
- Making the community the party that gives approval to the government’s decision
Some of the leading figures in classical liberalism are John Locke, Thomas Malthus, Martin Luther, Hobbes, David Ricardo, Adam Smith and Jean Baptiste Say.
2. Modern Liberalism
Classical liberalism theory emerged around the 20th century which aims to modify classical liberalism. The background of the change in the notion of liberalism is the economic crisis experienced by countries that adhere to classical theory.
One of the figures who played a major role in modern liberalism was Keynes. He has a new perspective on liberalism that is not too restrictive of the government’s role, especially in economic activities.
In modern liberalism theory, the government should still intervene in controlling the country’s economy. The private sector is still given the right to own the factors of production and production activities.
Meanwhile, the government must take a bigger role in determining policies that are considered capable of moving the economy for mutual prosperity.
According to the view of classical liberalism, the government is considered a foreign party who does not need to be involved in economic activities because it will certainly run naturally. However, in modern liberalism, the government is seen as a third party who has a stake.
This kind of correction is basically not a form of opposition to classical liberalism. Instead, this new perspective was born because he wanted to overcome the problems in classical theory for a better life.
In modern theory, 3 things that need to be highlighted in the understanding of liberalism are:
- Social justice requires a transparent attitude and makes the interests of the people the highest priority;
- Individual freedom refers to providing the widest opportunity for each individual to do what he wants and an attitude of tolerance for the existing diversity;
- Economic efficiency refers to the need for critical attitudes and steps as well as technical knowledge that can support a more prosperous life.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Liberalism
Every ideology or any thought must have two sides, namely advantages and disadvantages, liberalism is no exception.
Some of the advantages of applying liberalism are:
- Foster creativity and community skills in carrying out economic activities and other aspects of life without having to wait for orders from the government
- Emerging intense competition so as to increase community productivity
- Encouraging active participation from the community
- Triggering people to always produce high quality products
- Having social control and a free press system because anyone has the right to give criticism
While the shortcomings of liberalism include:
- It creates a high social inequality, meaning that the advanced party will get richer while the side that continues to lose will get poorer
- Leads to unequal income
- Creating a monopoly which sometimes actually harms some people
- The lack of control that can be done by the government to maintain the stability of the country
- Causing economic turmoil
- Causing excessive exploitation of the working class
Examples of Liberalism
The notion of liberalism is still applied in various countries today, including Indonesia. Here are some examples of the realization of liberalism in Indonesia:
- Prioritizing the interests and rights of citizens over the government
- The existence of a society that has a diversity of ethnicity, race, religion, culture and class
- The implementation of general elections so that every citizen has the right to choose the desired leader without coercion
- Enforcement of fair and equitable laws for all Indonesian citizens
- Giving freedom to anyone in terms of giving opinions, politics and assembly
- There is a free market development
- There is support for personal business for everyone who wants to get a lot of profit but still has to comply with the applicable regulations
- Providing opportunities for anyone who wants to maximize their abilities in their respective fields as long as they remain obedient to the rules
- The existence of protection of human rights so that all citizens get equal rights.
In essence, liberalism is an understanding that wants freedom in the fields of economy, politics, religion, education and so on. That way, interference from other parties and the government can be reduced.
Liberalism arises from the condition of the people of the past who experienced social stratification, restraint and injustice. Even though it seems to liberate human life, the nature of the freedom in question must remain positive, not violating the law and being accountable.
