The History of Classical Liberalism

Stephen Davies summarizes the key principles of classical liberalism.

Stephen Davies

Stephen Davies is a program officer at the Institute for Humane Studies and the education director at the Institute for Economic Affairs in London.

Historian Stephen Davies describes classical liberalism as a comprehensive philosophy, which has had implications in all the major academic disciplines. At an abstract level, classical liberalism offers three key insights:

1) The goal of life is human happiness and flourishing.
2) Personal choice and individual liberty are crucial in explaining and appreciating how society develops.
3) Commerce, wealth, and trade are preferable to war and conflict.

For more, visit Learn​Lib​er​ty​.org.