In a culture and society where we are built off of “freedom”, we lack exactly that and are completely blind towards it. This may have to do with the complete misunderstanding that has gradually risen over a few centuries due to politics, power, and of course money, This seems to be the main cause of issues and understandings that our “free and equal” American progressively shows todayi Due to misunderstandings and changes of certain terms that we as a society divide ourselves into based off of beliefs.
Classical Liberalism: ”philosophy committed to the ideal of limited government and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets” (Lecture Notes) This is what the word Liberal was originated as, and throughout centuries, clue to events, has changed drastically and been misunderstood causing an issue within our political system affecting society. America was built off of, or at least supposed to be the land of the “free”.
A place where you could come from nothing and become something, Not only become something, but become the unique individual that you want to be, not being forced to believe in something you do not.
A land in which many diverse individuals could live in peace with one another, not one better than the other, just different. Liberalism came about in 18th Century in both Europe and America, based off of the philosophical era of Enlightenment. It allowed for individuals to believe in different things, physically be different, practice their own different cultures within one Nation, of course governed by politics, but not controlled.
Of course this still maintains to be true today, or at least to be seen as true, freedom is technically available, yet hard to achieve as a whole due to inequality which continues to be a huge issue in society today as well as throughout studying sociology.
Speaking of inequality in other aspects we have discussed, in terms of politics and the control the government blindly placed upon free America comes the ultimate cause, money, Money and the economy eventually despite individual and “liberal” tendency and views, took over. As seen in every other issue and case we have discussed, money rules over all. Power and money becomes the most important subject and area. And this is exactly where the term Liberal became misconstrued After this came Neoliberalism: “philosophy which blends liberal political views with laissez-faire economics, private control of the economy, and a sharp emphasis on economic growth ”, Also a great impact in the current misconception of liberalism in America, The impact which [just spoke about, the Great Depression and the economic crisis in the mid to late 19th Century, The need for government to take over and help those who hurt from this recession.
Money had always been important, but now it was life or death, causing the less fortunate to disadvantage even more and advancing the already rich and powerful, further dividing classes and maintaining inequality while the powerful who were mostly ones with money, maintained control and a extremely luxurious lifestyle, From this series of events came the term Embedded Liberalism in which many may be ignorant to its origins and events prior to completely understand. This is how it came about, just as in other cases, the division and the conflict among many in society, but in this particular situation, of politics The left and the right wing in this case is the labeling of the division. Left being liberal and right being conservative. Separating beliefs of politics, along with issues of economy and laws that cannot be agreed upon among the division.
The labels classifying each individual and separating them further while grouping each with the same political beliefs together. Beliefs which are based of off misconstrued understandings and interpretations as a result of past events. While they see these two strong beliefs as opposite of one another, while looking into the past, you can see that they actually in the end had the same frame of mind in the idea of how society, and in particular the government and the state versus society relationship should be ran. A overall individuality and freedom among all, whilst governing in areas which are necessary such as laws that run and maintain these diverse individuals among each other to relay in peace. As America came about as a free nation with individuals being able to express themselves, shortly came the overall and neverending effect and need for power and money, and those who have power and money maintaining ultimate control of society.
First was Classical Liberalism in which America was founded on, an overall agreement on how America should be founded of off individuals while maintaining peace and ordnance from simple government. Soon came economic crisis which allowed inequality and division among classes. The rich maintained power and kept the poor to be poor, As money took over and politics became more relevant in our “free“ America, division of politics came about, dividing America more and more, based off of unrealistic and false definitions of the term Liberal, Creating further divisions in America and allowing inequality, and lastly and of course as seen throughout the course, allowing the ones in control to be the ones with money and power, never allowing for a breakthrough.
America Should Set Aside Differences to Achieve a Common Goal. (2022, Oct 23). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/america-should-set-aside-differences-to-achieve-a-common-goal/