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Paleoliberalism refers to an American branch of Classical liberalism thought that is frequently at odds with the current of liberal thought as espoused by the Democratic Party elite, the Green Party as well as most non-partisan modern liberals. Paleoliberals view true liberalism as essentially libertarianism complimented with a populist undertone via such things as "social safety nets", and therefore are opposed to the conglomeration of modern liberalism with socialism. Since paleoliberals believe that liberal philosophy is supposed to support the overall expansion of freedom in all areas, they most especially disagree with modern liberals and their embracing of stances that are inherently about taking away freedoms, such as gun control, affirmative action, high taxation, involuntary social security, campaign finance reform, and opposition to school choice. Thus, paleoliberals disagree with sentiments and ideology as expressed by so called liberals such as Michael Moore, Bill Maher and Janeane Garofalo.
Core beliefs
editPaleoliberals see liberalism as a set of democratic values based upon a central belief in the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of all people as individuals and upon a conviction that those individual rights, freedoms and responsibilities are the surest foundation of strong community life. They see liberalism not as a fixed ideology but a broad-based political philosophy that relates a core set of enduring values to the changing realities and challenges that societies confront over time.
Paleoliberals believe in freedom of choice and a "fair go" for all. The believe that only in a society where individuals are free to pursue their individual goals can tyranny be avoided and that only in a society where opportunity, initiative and personal responsibility are fostered can prosperity be attained. The view freedom as something that can only be meaningful if individuals have the opportunity to participate, to achieve and to develop their talents. Paleoliberals believe that respect for the individual implies tolerance of others. For this reason, they believe that liberalism is supposed to be the enemy of privilege, sectional interests and narrow prejudice through things such as affirmative action and hate crime legislation.
It is the belief of paleoliberals that even though freedom is essential to liberalism, it is not absolute and unfettered freedom, and the rights of any individual are limited and constrained by the equal rights of other individuals.
According to paleoliberals liberalism is a philosophy of strategic but limited government because intrusive government has been demonstrated by history to be inefficient, cruel and discouraging to human achievement. Paleoliberals believe that the role of government is to set the framework of laws and other rules within which individuals and families can freely make decisions about their own lives and pursue their goals with confidence. That by both the laws it enacts and the taxation it exacts, government should interfere as little with the freedom of the individual as is consistent with the maintenance of a fair and open society.
Paleoliberals support the family as the fundamental institution for the raising and nurturing of children and for making each individual an integral part of society. Paleoliberals recognise that the values, choices and actions of families have a profound influence on the welfare of a nation and that the interests of families should be at the center of national policy making.
Paleoliberals believe that an economy based on private property, free enterprise and competitive markets will produce the wealth and jobs people want. That government should not provide services that can be better delivered by competitive enterprise.
Paleoliberals recognize the capacity of markets, as well as their limits. They believe that fair, open and competitive markets provide the best means of ensuring an open, dynamic, prosperous and equitable society. They also believe that government needs to ensure that markets are, indeed, fair, open and competitive.
Just as paleoliberals recognise the limits of markets, so too do they recognize the limits of government. They believe that government can never duplicate the range of values and the life experiences of individual citizens and cannot therefore effectively substitute centralized for individual decision-making. They believe that a liberal society is supposed to rely on voluntary participation in the institutions of "civil society" - the clubs, associations, charities and community groups freely formed to achieve a great diversity of aims and purposes.
Paleoliberals promote the fundamental importance of education and training at all levels and the benefits of a vibrant and inclusive participation in the arts. They recognize the importance of education in supporting democratic institutions and a progressive society.
Paleoliberals believe in free, open, honest and robustly democratic public institutions, in which respect for our forms of government co-exists productively with public participation in, and criticism of, their processes and outcomes.
Paleoliberals believe in democratic government that protects the rights of people by a system of checks and balances. They believe that creating opportunity and security for everyone is the basic aim of liberal social policy. Paleoliberals care about the well-being of all, not just particular lobby groups or sectional interests.
Prominent paleoliberals
editSee also
editCategory:liberalismCategory:Political theories
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