3. Adam Smith
Adam Smith was a Scottish political economist who
lived from the years 1723 through 1790. Smith was a
man who believed in self interest, individual rights
and freedoms as well as the rule of law. He believed
that if people worked first and foremost for
themselves, everyone would be better off. He also
insisted that individual self-interest in a free market
would lead to a stronger economy and therefore
benefit the majority of society. Smith’s justification
for self-interest as an economic motive was his idea of
the invisible hand. This design was that by having
every individual look after their own interest, they
inadvertently end up helping everyone else, by "No society can surely be
flourishing and happy when
providing jobs and cheaper products.
part of the members are
poor and miserable.“
–Adam Smith
4. John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill was an English philosopher in his
lifetime of 1806 till 1873. His main interests were to
protect individual freedom and to promote individual
decision making as the core of societal institutions.
These values can be related to the classical liberalism
principles of individual rights and freedoms and rule
of law. Mill also believed that the only limitations to
be found on an individual were those that protected
the liberty of others. He also believed in the freedom
of speech, as he believed that it was a necessary
condition for intellectual and societal progress.
“If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the
contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than
he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.”
-John Stuart Mill
6. Chief Clarence Louie
Chief Clarence Louie is both the band chief for the
Osoyoos Indian Band, and CEO of the development
corporation. He has a very direct approach on
economic development and self sufficiency. These
values can be linked to liberal principles such as self-
interest, individual rights and freedoms and rule of
law. Chief Louie is a man who passionately believes
that every human should have an equal and fair
opportunity at life, and that everyone should work
hard to attain their goals. He also believes in the
approach of being self-fulfilling and to fix issues at
home and for yourself before you go and try to
change the world.
“I always feel you should look after your own backyard before going off to try to
save all the whales, salve all the tress and hug everybody. Stay home and look after
the potholes in your own backyard.”
-Chief Clarence Louie
7. Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau is one of Canada’s former prime
ministers. Beliefs that he possessed which coincided
with liberal principles include rule of law and
individual rights and freedoms. Trudeau campaigned
to create a just society for all Canadians. He issued
the White Paper act, which proposed to eliminate
treaties, Department of Indian Affairs, and everything
else keeping First Nations and Inuit people separate
from the rest of Canada. He also proposed the
constitution act, which was to provide equality for all
of Canada. Pierre Trudeau wanted equality for all
and for this world to be free from discrimination.
“Canada will be a strong country when Canadians of all provinces feel at home in all
parts of the country, and when they feel that all Canada belongs to them.”
-Pierre Trudeau
8. Comparison
Looking at the information provided, it is easy to see that
there are many aspects of liberalism that have continued to
be constant. Liberalism involves the benefit for the
majority, freedom and rights for the individual and equality
for all, and this has remained for many years. Times have
changed and so has the world and the people whom occupy
it, but the basic liberalist principles have remained constant.
