Classical Liberalism
Original branch of liberalism that defends natural rights, property, free markets, and a minimal state, seeing individual freedom and the strict limitation of power as the foundations of a just society.
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In one sentence
I want a society of natural rights and sacred property, with a minimal state and free market as the foundations of a just life.
Political axes
Profile across the 12 axes
- Strong · Federal
Structure
- Strong · Democracy
Representation
- Very strong · Liberty
Power
- Strong · Multiculturalism
Immigration
- Strong · Pacifist
Diplomacy
- Leaning · Non-interventionist
Intervention
- Strong · Private
Economy
- Very strong · Free market
Control
- Strong · Globalism
Trade
- Strong · Irreligious
Religion
- Leaning · Progressive
Morality
- Strong · Technology
Technology
What sets this ideology apart
Control
Leans further toward free market than 93% of the 243 ideologies in the catalog.
Ideology median 64This ideology 13
Of all the axes, Control is where it stands furthest from the rest.
Intervention
On Intervention, it sits close to the catalog median.
Ideology median 53This ideology 65
Here it shares common ground with most ideologies.
Personalities
John Locke
The father of classical liberalism, Locke grounded the natural rights to life, liberty, and property and government limited by consent and the separation of powers, inspiring the modern liberal revolutions.
Closest, by dimension
PoliticallyRobert NozickPhilosopher99%
SociallyHal FinneyCryptographer99%
EconomicallyFriedrich HayekEconomist100%
Other compatible profiles
PhilosophyMax MorePhilosopher97%
ActivismJohn McAfeeEntrepreneur and activist97%
EconomicsGustave de MolinariPolitical economist97%
EconomicsLudwig von MisesEconomist97%
Intellectual lifeLysander SpoonerJurist97%
EconomicsMurray RothbardEconomist96%
Intellectual lifeNathaniel BrandenObjectivist psychologist96%
BusinessVitalik ButerinProgrammer96%
The most distant
Countries
Reference country
United Kingdom
Liberal-financial monarchyA parliamentary monarchy, the United Kingdom has a long liberal and democratic tradition, a market economy, and a strong financial sector, maintaining global influence after leaving the European Union in the process known as Brexit.
Other close countries
New Hampshire (United States)
Libertarian-fiscal regionA small state in the northeastern United States, New Hampshire is known for its strong libertarian culture, low taxation, absence of a state income tax, and a motto that exalts liberty above all.
Also close, by dimension
PoliticallyZug (Switzerland)Crypto-fiscal region91%
SociallySão Paulo (Brazil)Industrial-financial region90%
EconomicallyMadrid (Spain)Liberal-conservative region98%
The most distant
Medieval Iceland (Commonwealth)
c. 930–1262A rare society without a central state, medieval Iceland was organized by local chieftains and an assembly, the Althing, settling disputes through laws and private agreements in a decentralized system close to anarchy.
Also close, by dimension
PoliticallyFree Territory (Makhnovshchina)1918–192178%
SociallyDutch Republic (United Provinces)1581–179571%
EconomicallyPinochet's Chile1973–199099%
The most distant
Ideological proximity
Close ideologies
Closest within Libertarian
- Libertarian
Minarchism
Libertarian branch that defends a minimal state limited to police, courts, and defense, leaving everything else to the market and private initiative, to protect individual rights without oppressing freedom.
- Libertarian
Libertarianism
Philosophy that advocates maximum individual freedom and a state reduced to essential functions, valuing private property, free markets, and personal autonomy while rejecting state coercion over life.
- Libertarian
Libertarian Populism
Branch that unites anti-politics, radical free markets, and direct popular communication, attacking bureaucracies, taxes, and party elites in the name of individual freedom, entrepreneurship, and the sovereignty of the ordinary citizen.
Closest in other spectrums
- Right
Neoliberalism
Current that advocates free markets, deregulation, privatization, and fiscal discipline, reducing the state's economic role and trusting competition and monetary stability as engines of prosperity.
- Center
Liberalism
Political tradition that places individual freedom at the center, defending rights, tolerance, the rule of law, a market economy, and limits on power, with government subject to the consent of citizens.
- Anarchist
Individualist Socialism
Branch that reconciles socialist ideals with strong emphasis on personal autonomy and freedom, defending cooperation and collective ownership without sacrificing each person's independence and uniqueness.
The most distant ideology
Clerical FascismThird Position20%