Liberalism, Conservatism, and Economic Theories
1. Adam Smith’s Economic Proposal
Adam Smith advocated for free-enterprise capitalism. He argued that market forces of supply and demand, without government intervention, would self-regulate the economy, and competition would maintain reasonable prices. Smith theorized that producers, pursuing self-interest, ultimately serve the common good.
2. Laissez-Faire’s Influence on Modern Liberalism
Laissez-faire principles provide individuals the freedom to choose among market offerings. For employers, it offers the freedom to determine product or service pricing. In contemporary market liberalism, governments not only refrain from intervention but actively support the market through legislation. Laissez-faire enables free market entry and competition.
3. The Relationship Between John Locke’s Political Theory and Adam Smith’s Economic Theory
These theories, combined, define 19th-century liberalism. The concept of inherent natural rights implies that governmental power should be severely limited. This ideal of individual freedom stemmed from a state with restricted power.
4. Summary of Edmund Burke’s Conservative Views
Edmund Burke believed the state preserved traditions and guided individuals toward true freedom. He argued that individual rights are inseparable from their cultural context. In Burke’s ideal state, those best qualified by birth and education would rule, determining the best interests of individuals deemed too frivolous to decide wisely for themselves.
5. The Purpose of Political Economy
Today, political economy typically refers to interdisciplinary studies using economics, sociology, communication, law, and political science to understand how institutions and political environments influence market behavior. Within political science, the term primarily refers to liberal or Marxist theories examining the relationship between economics and political power within states. International political economy, a branch of economics, focuses on international trade and finance, and state policies impacting them.
Logical Principles
- Principle of Identity: A concept is identical to itself (A is A).
- Principle of Contradiction: A concept cannot be both itself and its negation (A is not non-A).
- Principle of Excluded Middle: A concept must either be or not be; there’s no middle ground (Either A is or A is not).
Syllogism
A syllogism is a deductive argument where a conclusion is inferred from two premises. A categorical syllogism consists of three categorical propositions containing three terms, each appearing in only two propositions. Two propositions are premises, and the third is the conclusion.
A standard form categorical syllogism adheres to these conditions:
- Premises and conclusion are categorical propositions in this order: major premise, minor premise, conclusion.
- The conclusion contains two of the syllogism’s three terms.
- The major premise contains the major term (predicate of the conclusion), represented as P.
- The minor premise contains the minor term (subject of the conclusion), represented as S.
- The major and minor terms are compared with respect to the middle term, represented as M.
Syllogism Structure
- Major Premise: Contains the major term (P).
- Minor Premise: Contains the minor term (S).
- Conclusion: Connects S and P based on their relationship to M.
Examples of Syllogisms
Figure 1
- All artists are sensitive (MP)
- All painters are artists (SM)
- All painters are sensitive (SP)
Figure 2
- All Paula’s friends are smart (PM)
- No brother of Daniel is smart (SM)
- No brother of Daniel is friends with Paula (SP)
Figure 3
- All recorders are imported (MP)
- Some recorders are objects of poor quality (MS)
- Some poor quality items are imported (SP)
Figure 4
- No minister is lazy (PM)
- Every very funny person is lazy (MS)
- Some funny people are not ministers (SP)