Liberalism of Hobhouse and Spencer essays

Liberalism of Hobhouse and Spencer essays Due to the Enlightenment and many revolutions in Europe, there was many new ways of thinking. These new forms of thought were just the beginning of new political ideas that would form in the future. Liberalists believed that all people should be free from government control, both politically and economically, so that individuals have the opportunity to develop their moral and intellectual abilities. Liberalism focused on Laissez-Faire, which means to leave it alone. This economic term means that the government should not interfere with economy, and that the economy should develop its own path. Politically, liberalism believed in the individual rights of the people, which include property, health, and education. L.T. Hobhouse and Herbert Spencer were two liberalist thinkers that had comparable opinions on government control, but both had different ways of explaining their ideal social order. At this developing time in history there was numerous new liberal thoughts coming about. Unregulated industrialization forced many liberalists to rethink how much government control they should allow. The industrial age brought about new wealth in the population and liberals had to rethink property requirements for voting and office holdings. This new form of liberal thought intrigued L.T. Hobhouse. He believed that government should stop giving to the people in the community and instead give them the skills, knowledge, or utilities to succeed on their own. It is for the state to take care that the economic conditions are such that the normal man who is not defective in mind or body or will can by useful labour feed, house, and clothe himself and his family(191). He believed that government should promote better schools for education purposes, increase regulations for businesses so that wages and health could stay at an inhabitable rate, and more roads to encourage a better e conom ...