The Liberal Agenda

I’m currently considering writing a book on liberalism. This is a draft, for a potential introduction. Please let me know what you think. Still quite unsure on this project, but I’m carefully pondering the idea.

Liberalism is a doctrine based on equality and liberty. It originates with the Latin word liberalis, which translates into “of freedom.” In the 21^st Century and all the turbulence of the New Millennium, we need a guiding philosophy to govern this world; The new world order-system of geopolitics and economic management-requires a philosophy, an idea. Liberalism should be the platform, or manifesto, for Western Civilisation.

The political dominance of conservatism and socialism is no longer relevant to the era of globalisation. Both are authoritarian ideas, which are outdated and difficult to achieve the aspirations of the populis. Conservatism contradicts and denies equality to persons based on their race, gender or sexuality; whereas socialism regularly denounces individual sovereignty and recognises the authority of the state as the final arbitrator in our lives. Apartheid South Africa and Soviet Russia are conclusive evidence, representing the failure of conservative and socialist politics. Both regimes soaked the land in blood of the innocent, driven by a belligerent and vindictive attitude towards dissidents and rivals.

During the 17^th Century and the bloody period of the English Civil Wars, it was the forefathers of liberalism, who tried to provide tranquility and stability to a war torn nation. The Agreement of the People,was a manifesto drafted by The Levellers. This political vanguard rose to prominence and actively campaigned for universal suffrage, equality in law and religious tolerance. Popular sovereignty did not occur until 1689, with the introduction of the English Bill of Rights, but The Levellers were among the first liberals. Sadly, these political pioneers were persecuted, but the belief in liberty and equality did not die on the gallows. It subsequently transcended throughout history, inspiring the American and French Revolutions. Liberty is a very powerful calling, which has destroyed countless tyrants and liberated the repressed. Liberals are the sworn enemies of dictators and totalitarian regimes.

But in order to achieve stability and political oversight, whilst moderately accumulating the wealth of globalisation, we do need international liberalism to be the human tutelage of human political evolution. And liberalism is the means to expand global integration, whilst protecting the liberties and rights of the individual.

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