I'm a worldview liberal, and I frequently meet with attacks on myself.
I am not amazed erstwhile it is done by supporters of collectivism, authoritarianism, despotism or absolutism – we disagree fundamentalally.
More interesting, however, are attacks by people who they do not realize the difference between world-view liberalism and economical liberalism.
Many presume that if individual is simply a worldview liberal, they automatically support predatory capitalism, ruthless free marketplace and a state limited to the function of police, troops and courts.
It's a incorrect and incorrect simplification.
One can be a world-view liberal and at the same time have social democratic and even socialist views in the sphere of the economy.
As for economics, I'm a social liberal..
I believe that the State has a work to take care of its citizens, especially the weaker ones.
It should supply social minimum, access to education, wellness care, public infrastructure and services.
It is the foundation of a just and solidarity society.
So why world-view liberalism?
Bo individual freedom is simply a fundamental value to me.
Of course – not absolute.
As Alexis de Tocqueville said (or attributed to those words):
"The freedom of man ends where the freedom of another man begins."
It's beautiful, but besides Dangerous rule – due to the fact that it's easy to warp.
It can be utilized as an excuse to make laws that – under the pretext of protecting 1 freedom – limits another.
An example?
My “freedom to shoot redheads” (obviously absurd and utmost metaphor) ends where it begins their right to life - Of course.
But what if the Democratic majority passes the bill allowing Shoot the redheads?
This shows how easy democracy can be utilized as a tool for destruction of freedom and distortion of liberalism – even if everything happens according to the letter of the law.
That's why it's so crucial citizens' awareness, education, independent courts and vigilance of free people.
To democratic liberalism did not become absolute in disguise of freedom.
