Social liberalism also known asleft liberalism inGermany,modern liberalism in the United States andnew liberalism in the United Kingdom, is apolitical philosophy and variety ofliberalism that endorses a regulatedmarket economy and the expansion of civil and political rights. Under social liberalism, the common good is viewed as harmonious with the freedom of the individual.
Social liberalism is different fromclassical liberalism: it thinks thestate should addresseconomic andsocial issues. Examples of problems the state might work on includeunemployment,health care, andeducation.[1] For example, there was no state support for general education in Britain before about 1870. Support for poor people came from privatecharities, and the church.
A commitment to a fair distribution of wealth and power led gradually (over about a century) to supportpublic services as ways of fairly distributing wealth.Democracy improved by increasing thefranchise (the right tovote) to all adults. Some countries which did not have democracy now do have it.
According to social liberalism, the government should also expandcivil rights. Under social liberalism, thegood of the community is viewed as harmonious with the freedom of the individual.[2] Many parts of the capitalist world have used social liberal policies, especially afterWorld War II.[3]
John Rawls's published a book called"A Theory of Justice" in 1971, he suggested that ‘new liberalism’ is focused upon developing a theory ofsocial justice. This idea of liberalism leads to issues of sharing, equality, and fairness in social and political circumstances. It is controversial because it attacksneoliberalism.[4]
Social liberal ideas and parties tend to be consideredcentrist orcentre-left.[5][6]
