[Nosterrex]

I am trying to figure out how we can discuss this matter without me having to quote long passages from my books on political philosophy. I do not know if it is beneficial to get into a debate over definitions. Classical Liberalism is more concerned about INDIVIDUAL freedoms than international affairs. Would you agree with that? I am trying to find some common ground between us.

[daniel885]

Yes. But those individual freedoms extend beyond our borders because they are natural rights. Enlightenment era liberalism was non-interventionist in foreign policy for the most part. Our founders urged us not to make alliances (including Washington’s farewell address where he warned of “entangling alliances”).

[bamahead]

Classical Liberalism is more concerned about INDIVIDUAL freedoms than international affairs.

I would agree this is an equal concern, sure. But classical liberalism is just as much about promoting and about propagating free enterprise worldwide as it is promoting freedom of the individual. At the very core of the philosophy is that the two are not mutually exclusive....but are in fact wholly dependent.

Prosperity results in liberty for more individuals. Most conservative, liberty grounded political philosophies recognize this, but differ substantially on the methods and policies that should be used to get there.