CIS "ADVANCED LIBERTY AND SOCIETY SEMINAR"
DAVID HART'S LECTURE HANDOUTS
Updated: 18 February, 1999

THE 12 BASIC CONCEPTS OF CLASSICAL LIBERALISM

1. the dignity of the individual

• individualism, individual autonomy, sanctity of life

2. individual liberty

• a private sphere protected from outside interference (Wilhelm von Humboldt and John Stuart Mill, Herbert Spencer)

3. private property

• self-propriety or self-ownership, exchange of property titles or contracts

4. natural law and natural rights

• Tom Paine's "imprescriptible rights" - Rights of Man (1791)
• rights anterior to government, often exercised against state power

5. freedom of the press, freedom of speech

• free expression

6. limited government

• power limited by means of a constitution and/or bill of rights

7. rule of law

• law applies equally to all (including agents of the state)

8. religious toleration

• extended to toleration of all unorthodox thought and (non injurious) behaviour

9. domestic free markets and international free trade

• complete freedom of movement of people and goods (laissez-faire, laissez-passer)

10. peace and harmony

• non-interference in the affairs of other nations, international arbitration to solve disputes
• free trade

11. the right of "exit"

• right of rebellion against unjust state, resistance to tyranny

12. idea of spontaneous order

• evolved voluntary orders