Overview

This short, engaging book challenges the widely held belief that ‘classical liberalism’ is the original and authentic form of liberalism. The book argues that this narrative – often used to position libertarianism as the true liberal tradition and social democratic liberalism as a distortion – is built on historical misunderstandings of the terms ‘liberal’ and ‘liberalism’. Focusing on English and American contexts, the book uses primary sources to show that the free-market doctrines of Adam Smith, later interpreted by thinkers like Hayek and Friedman as libertarian principles, should not be conflated with liberalism. Instead, liberalism first emerged in nineteenth-century England as a political philosophy rooted in constitutionalism and republicanism. The book also examines how Franklin D. Roosevelt reshaped American political language by associating “liberals” with New Deal supporters and “conservatives” with its opponents. By exploring these two pivotal moments and the broader political and economic history that connects them, de Marneffe redefines classical liberalism and critiques rigid interpretations of liberal thought. This book will appeal to scholars of politics, philosophy, economics, and the history of ideas.

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9783032143181

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Author Information

Peter de Marneffe is Professor of Philosophy at Arizona State University. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and specializes in political and legal philosophy. His work explores liberalism, neutrality, self-sovereignty, and public policy. He is the author of Liberalism and Prostitution and The Legalization of Drugs (For and Against), and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. His interdisciplinary approach bridges ethical theory and applied legal questions, offering insight into individual rights and the role of the state.

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