Liberals :: Liberalism Politics Political Philosophy Essays

Liberals Ronald Beiner, Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto investigates liberalism by considering the communitarian critics of it and different opinions of liberalists. He describes the critics of liberalism of Michael Sandel, Charles Taylor, Michael Walzer, and Alasdair MacIntyre. These community defenders think that all experiences of communtiy aren’t so morally desirable, but if people are looking at the world only in an individualistic way, they find themselves on a narrow horizon of experiences. Beiner also makes us understand the difference between left and right liberalists. Beiner is against the opinon that the liberalism refers to a particular relation between the state and the individual and he thinks that it’s a view of human life, which leaves people alone to do what they want freely, and in that sense the one in which society doesn’t guide people to give meaning to their life. He gives the painting example stating ‘the world without furniture’ as the main point. I believe that Beiner’s understanding of liberalism is wrong and I will tell you what a liberal is, what liberals wa nt and what they expect from the government. Liberal means ‘favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, especially as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection ofcivil liberties’ (Kennedy, pars. 3-4). John F. Kennedy states that â€Å"liberal is not someone against the government and who is uncorned with the taxpayer’s dollar. It means someone who looks ahead not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of people† (pars. 1-2). Liberals want to change things to increase personal freedom and tolerance, and are willing to empower government to the extent necessary to achieve those ends. This is against the idea of Beiner about what liberalism is. They want to help individuals to take more control over their own lives. This requires environment where choices are not arbitrarily removed. Also enough information should be offered so that choices can be understood and made intelligently. Alan Brinkley states that â€Å"this also requires giving people responsibility and encouraging self-reliance within a social framework† (par. 8). Liberals see the role of government as providing a framework within which individuals can develop their lives and contribute to society.