[lainie]

Why does the author talk about “classical liberalism” and “the left” as if they’re polar opposites?

[Verginius Rufus]

Liberalism in Europe had a very different meaning from "liberalism" in modern American politics. Liberalism was originally associated with notions of liberty, inalienable rights, responsible self-government (not necessarily implying universal suffrage)--the ideas people like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, or the Marquis de LaFayette would have agreed with.

It's only later (mid-19th century on) that the idea that a utopia can be created catches on, and with it the idea that the government is the agent to do that, the inspiration for "Progressives" in America from the early 1900s to the present.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

Short version: Classical liberalism is much closer to views held by conservatives (rights of the individual, markets, etc) than by socialists or “American Liberalism”.

There are those who feel that the term “liberal” has been hijacked in a sense.

[douginthearmy]

Classical liberalism = freedom/individualism
Modern Leftism = servitude/collectivism

Sounds like polar opposites to me