I've been thinking about this since I read the book Liberalism. I shouldn't even have to call it classical liberalism. I hate how liberalism has become a dirty word these days.
To me, it seems that the liberal ideology wishes to regulate only to a minimum. It advocates for somewhat of a minarchist state and for limits on governmental powers.
Unlike the Republicans, liberals would allow for some legislation- unless I have this wrong- with regards to criminal law. Libertarians wish for everything to be done in the private sector. The liberal holds that this view is unattainable and that we have to have a state to provide justice for people.
Libertarians hold that individuals have natural rights. You don't need a constitution to provide such things. My understanding is that the liberal would say you do need a constitution otherwise the state would probably just do whatever it wanted... and you would have no guarantee as to what would happen to you.
Liberals want to protect people from criminals... and from wrong-doers. They want to protect society as Ludwig Von Mises says from the trouble-makers who would destroy society if left unchecked.
My first question is- in accordance to the liberal view- what laws would they support? What laws would they support? Like recently Republicans voted against an anti-Rape bill. A liberal would support such a bill, correct?
My second question: Just how many laws would they support?
And my third question is- liberals wish to intervene on the rights of individuals as minimal as possible.. So... people could do drugs, drinking, and gambling, etc. People could protest as they wished as long as they didn't destroy property.
My fourth question is how would liberals ensure that the state won't infringe on our rights? I guess I'm asking.... is how do you guarantee that those rights are permanent? You can only get people to be liberal and nations to be liberal for so long.
I personally like the liberal philosophy (I however consider myself in the middle of liberalism and libertarianism for a reason, which I am about to give). But I'm inclined to think that it could lead to really big government unless there aren't limits on the government of a liberal philosophy with regards to its legislative and judicial branch. I would like my questions answered. I just am unclear about how much government a liberal would support.
Can anyone answer my questions? I would like them answered please. I just don't see how a liberal government unless seriously contrained by a division of powers would not lead to statism... unless you expect the government to be wholly good. So I like it in theory... and I'm sure there are some answers to some of my questions... but I just am unsure about a few things.