Classical liberalism has nothing to do with today's perverted definition of "liberal". Friedrich Hayek was the epitome of a classical liberal. Classical liberalism is what conservatives like Goldwater were supposed to be trying to conserve.
Not saying I agree with anything written in this essay, far from it. Just making a point.
I understand well the distinction you make...on this side of the Atlantic, at this point in time, Liberalism in the current sense means something different than Liberalism in the classic sense.
I am not sure we actually disagree on that point, however I am making my judgement based on the content of the article.
As reinforcement we are on the same page in understanding the meaning, I take your invocation of the classical liberal Friedrich Hayek, whose excellent (and HIGHLY relevant) book "The Road to Serfdom" is one of my favorites.