Free Essay Liberalism

splosion · Uploaded by **splosion** on Sep 5, 2005

Liberalism

According to Webster�s Dictionary, liberalism is defined as �favorable to progress or reform and protection of civil liberties, as in political and religious affairs.� It is clear that Chris Holt, a Political Science teacher of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, holds these same views. Holt is an outspoken liberal who enjoys nothing less than sharing his views with anyone willing to listen or simply read through his website. Holt began his learning process of his political beliefs similarly to the way everyone does, through the upbringing of his parents. Today Holt hopes to spread knowledge of liberalism and continue progress and reform.

There are distinct characteristics which separate liberalism from every other political platform. When obtaining information on liberalism as well as any political view it is important to answer question; what do liberals hope to accomplish and what exactly makes them liberals. In responding to the question, what do liberals hope to accomplish, Holt replies, �Liberals want to help individuals take more control over their own lives. This requires providing an environment that does not arbitrarily remove choice; ensuring that isolated failures of judgment are not catastrophic, removing choice; offering enough information so that choices can be understood and made intelligently.� Although there are many unique liberals such as a more conservative liberal as opposed to a radical liberal, their views on certain perspectives hardly change. Abortion for instance is one position that liberals as well as Holt believe strongly in. Even though they do recognize a fetus as a pre-human, and should be accorded as many rights as possible, the quality of life of existing human beings can, at this level, outweigh the potential life of the baby. The position on art and pornography is also strongly supported. Liberals are opposed to government-enforced limits on free expression; this, the First Amendment of the US Constitution, is the issue on which they come closest to taking an absolutist line. Thus, not only should anti-pornography laws be removed, but also the active promotion of alternative and controversial viewpoints should be encouraged and financially supported. And yet another position is that of gun control. Many liberals prefer the outright banning of guns intended only to kill people, on the grounds that such weapons are by now ineffective in dealing with abuse of power by government.

The constant criticism of liberalism is that liberals are often accused of being wishy-washy, of sitting on the fence, refusing to accept that the world can be viewed in black and white. This however does not mean that they lack principles or that they simply do not have any ideas for change. Although I am not a liberal and detest their position on most of the issues I stated above, I believe it is important to gain information to better support my personal viewpoints.