# Classical Liberalism as a Quasi-Religion

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/the-liberty-exchange/classical-liberalism-as-a-quasi-religion>

**By** Daniel B. Klein, Jonathan Fortier

**Published:** December 22, 2023

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The spirit of liberty depends on the spirit of religion.

## SUMMARY:

Dan Klein says classical liberalism is a quasi-religion. First, classical liberalism preaches against making certain things sacred—for example, big government. It _does_ preach to people about what they identify with and draw enduring meaning from; it is not neutral about the higher-things space. Second, Klein says that proper ethics are patterned after benevolent monotheism; he says that one should affirm the _spirit_ of religion, even if one does not consider herself a theist. Classical liberalism will fare better once its votaries understand that it is a quasi-religion.