Liberalism is an ideology with two main parts. First is political liberalism which focuses on individual freedoms, democracy, and human rights. Second is economic liberalism which centers around free markets, private property, and wealth accumulation. These two aspects form a contradiction. Political liberalism purports to support everyone’s freedom, while economic liberalism enshrines private property rights as sacred in laws and constitutions, effectively removing them from political debate.

Liberalism justifies the use of state violence to safeguard property rights even when they come into direct conflict with providing necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. The idea that private property is a key part of individual freedom provides the foundational justification for the rich to keep their wealth while ignoring the needs of everyone else. Thus, all the talk of promoting freedom and democracy is nothing more than a fig leaf to provide cover for justifying capitalist relations.

This is an excellent primer on the subject https://orgrad.wordpress.com/articles/liberalism-the-two-faced-tyranny-of-wealth/

[–] runsmooth@kopitalk.net 4 points 4 days ago

Interesting link, I'll have to take some time to follow up on that.

@scoffinglizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com You may want to also look over some of Antonio Gramsci's writings for additional framing. I'm not saying this is the only frame to take, but these thoughts are typically introduced to Political Science students early on.

[–] villasv@lemmy.ca 8 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The thing it's supposed to mean: associated to economic liberalism. The use of the word "liberal" as progressive is the dumb use of the word, put forth by American politics.

[–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 1 points 3 days ago

When the most powerful liberal nation that has arguably done the most for championing it around the world doesn't even remember what liberalism is one might take that as a warning sign of a rotten foundation.