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Cultural liberalism is a social philosophy which expresses the social dimension ofliberalism and advocates the freedom of individuals to choose whether to conform to cultural norms. In the words ofHenry David Thoreau, it is often expressed as the right to "march to the beat of a different drummer".[1] Also known associal liberalism in the United States and Canada, whilecultural progressivism does overlap with cultural liberalism, it does not mean exactly the same thing ascultural liberalism.[2] Cultural liberalism can be thought of as emphasizing a balance between positive liberty and negative liberty, whereascultural progressivism can instead be seeing as prioritizing social justice and social equality over individual freedom.
The United States refers to cultural liberalism associal liberalism; however, it is not the same as the broader political ideology known associal liberalism. In the United States,social liberalism describesprogressive moral andsocial values or stances on socio-cultural issues such asabortion andsame-sex marriage as opposed tosocial conservatism. Asocial conservative or asocial liberal in this sense may hold either moreconservative orprogressive views onfiscal policy.[3]
As with modern liberalism in general,[4] cultural liberalism often implies the fundamental liberal principles of individual liberty, autonomy, and equality.[citation needed]
Cultural liberalism places a strong emphasis on the protection and expansion ofcivil rights and liberties, recognizing them as fundamental to individual autonomy and societal progress.[5][better source needed] This philosophical stance aligns with core liberal principles articulated in foundational texts[which?] and international declarations such as the manifesto of theLiberal International.[4]
John Stuart Mill, in his seminal workOn Liberty, argues for the paramount importance of individual liberty, asserting that society should only interfere with an individual's freedom of actionto prevent harm to others.[6]
The emergence of cultural liberalism is tied to the broader historical development of liberalism, which challenges traditional norms of religious conformity and ascribed status.[7][better source needed] While the term "liberal" gained political currency in the early 19th century, the underlying principles of individual liberty and tolerance have roots in the Enlightenment and movements like theProtestant Reformation, which emphasized individual conscience.[7] In 1981,Gérard Grunberg [fr], Etienne Schweisguth, et al. popularized the term "cultural liberalism"[8] in their bookFrance de gauche, vote à droite.[9]
In recent decades, particularly since the mid-20th century,Western Europe has seen what Vincent Tournier describes as a "cultural take-off"[10] characterized by the liberalization of moral standards and lifestyles. Tournier claims that the rise cultural liberalism can be attributed topost-war changes such as increased living standards, urbanization, mass schooling, and secularization, leading to a distancing from traditional authority and a greater emphasis on individual autonomy.[10]
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Data from Wikidata
