Classical liberalism is a political ideology and a branch of liberalism which advocates civil liberties under the rule of law with an emphasis on economic freedom. Closely related to libertarianism and to economic liberalism,[1][2] it developed in the early 19th century, building on ideas from the previous century as a response to urbanization and to the Industrial Revolution in Europe and the United States.[3] Notable individuals whose ideas contributed to classical liberalism include John Locke,[4] Jean-Baptiste Say, Thomas Malthus and David Ricardo. It drew on the economics of Adam Smith and on a belief in natural law,[5] utilitarianism[6] and progress.[7]
Meaning of the term
The term "classical liberalism" was applied in retrospect to distinguish earlier 19th-century liberalism from the newer social liberalism.[8] The phrase "classical liberalism" is also sometimes used to refer to all forms of liberalism before the 20th century and some conservatives and libertarians (especially in the United States) use the term classical liberalism to describe their belief in the primacy of individual freedom and limited government.[9][10]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_liberalism
