(1) I am quite sure I learned in college (where I majored in political science) that a “classical liberal” or a “reform liberal” or a “libertarian” are ALL liberals.
(2) “Conservatism” is not liberalism. If you are a classical liberal, you are just a liberal having an argument with another type of liberal over which liberal value (liberty or equality) is more important.
(3) I’m not a Ron Paul supporter. I just refuse to vote for someone who calls himself a “conservative,” but who sounds more like Kweisi Mfume or Jesse Jackson.
First little boy, let me assure you that flaunting college poli sci around here as cred is the same thing as starting all of your posts with the statement “I HAVE NO REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.”
Second, “classical liberal” as understood outside the walls of academia nuts is largely the same thing as “conservative” as understood in the modern political parlance. It is based on the economics of Adam Smith and the idea generally of limited government. That has nothing to do with today’s “political liberal” movement at all.
If you want to speak in esoteric and outdated terms to try and project a false useless academic sophistication then go ahead. But you’ll not find much audience around here or on other conservative message boards or in the tea party movement or in the talk radio universe.
Let me name some classical liberal thinkers who “conservatives” look to for inspiration
1) Adam Smith - Read his “Theory of Moral Sentiment” to get the true measure of this man not just “The Wealth of Nation”. Bu do read “Wealth of Nations”!
2) Edmund Burke
3) John Locke
4) Algernon Sydney - My favorite, John Adams said if he had only one think to leave his sons it would be the collected works of Algernon Sydney!
5) David Hume
6) James Madison
7) Alexander Hamilton
etc ( I could throw in some French but I won't!)
Of the modern era
1. Frederick Hayek
2. Ludwig Von Mises
3. Milton Friedman
and yes for me Ayn Rand!
Let me name some classical liberal thinkers who “conservatives” look to for inspiration
1) Adam Smith - Read his “Theory of Moral Sentiment” to get the true measure of this man not just “The Wealth of Nation”. Bu do read “Wealth of Nations”!
2) Edmund Burke
3) John Locke
4) Algernon Sydney - My favorite, John Adams said if he had only one think to leave his sons it would be the collected works of Algernon Sydney!
5) David Hume
6) James Madison
7) Alexander Hamilton
etc ( I could throw in some French but I won't!)
Of the modern era
1. Frederick Hayek
2. Ludwig Von Mises
3. Milton Friedman
and yes for me Ayn Rand!
I’m a bit confused by your statement which includes ‘classical liberals’ in the set of all liberals.
I thought that Thomas Jefferson was what is thought of today as a “classical liberal’ and he was not like the typical progressive liberals of today.
Regarding your contention #2,perhaps I have been sadly mistaken in thinking that both liberty and equality are basic principles or as you put it values, of liberalism rather than Conservatism.
If liberty and equality are liberal values rather than conservative,I ask that you or someone else respond and tell me straightforwardly what then are the basics of Conservatism?