Evaluation of Liberalism:
Liberalism is an important and progressive line of thought of modern period. Its by word is personal freedom. It establishes such a social system that an individual should not go for his livelihood or choice of lifestyle under the subordination of any dominant impact.
The following are the main principles of liberalism:
1. Liberalism has faith in the rationality of an individual, hence it supports free contemplation.
2. Liberals think that a society should be formed on the basis of logic and new ideals should be formed by eliminating old system based on ancient history or traditions.
3. According to liberals, an individual is naturally free and complete perse.
4. Liberalism believes that an individual is an accomplishment and a society or a state is means.
5. Liberals believe that society or state are artificial institutions.
6. Liberals believe in natural rights of an individual.
7. According to liberals, a state should not interfere in the religious matters of its citizens. In state’s points of view, all religions are similar.
8. Liberalism believes in human equality and the rule of law.
9. It believes in democratic government system and has faith in a welfare state.
10.Liberalism supports the principle of national self-determination.
11.Liberalism has flexible outlook in relation to duties and objectives of a state.
12.Liberalism supports the freedom of individual in absolute form.
Criticism of Liberalism:
The following are main points of criticism of liberalism:
1. State is not a necessary evil. The formation of a state has been done for fulfilling the necessities of human life. It is a human welfare institution.
2. State does not decimate freedom, instead it protects the freedom of an individual through rules and laws.
3. Open competition is detrimental to weaker class.
4. It is a philosophy of capitalist class. It grants rights to the state for intervention into economic matters only to make the economy favour line of capitalist trend.
5. It is the concept of liberalism that by gradual development, it is quite possible to bring about social changes, whereas, in fact, social changes in the class – divisioned society can be made only by to class-struggle and revolution.
6. This school of thought negates historical traditions.
7. This doctrine regards a state as an artificial institution, whereas a state is the result of gradual development.
In view of the above analysis, it becomes quite clear that liberalism enjoys a special place in the history of political philosophy. In political field, liberalism supports a democratic government system based on freedom and equality. In economic field, liberalism emphases on the policy of non-interference. In religious field, liberalism stresses on religious freedom and intolerance. Liberalism has raised objections against the prevalent blind faith, orthodoxy, farces, illiteracy, starvation, and useless rituals etc. in the society and it has made endeavors to make the life of an individual happy.
