Dynamics and sentiment. The evolution of British liberalism

Liberalism is more usefully interpreted not a static, universal doctrine concerning moral truths but as an evolving set of positions. It has addressed the development of individuality as well as freedom, and – unlike current theories of liberal neutrality – possesses clear preferences about diverse human conduct, development, and diversity. Liberalism incorporated complex notions of temporality, according to which its evolution was tantamount to the growth of civilization. It articulated a dynamic of vital, spontaneous activity that required a social outlet. It also emphasized the sociability of human beings, culminating in theories of organic interdependence and in the ideology of the welfare state. Finally, despite conventional accounts of the rationality of liberalism, it also recognized the importance of sentiment, and acquired a discourse that was itself emotional and passionate, born of the need to compete with other ideological systems. To that end it described itself as a faith, a state of mind or an impulse.Freeden Michael. Dynamics and sentiment. The evolution of British liberalism. In: Mélanges de l'École française de Rome. Italie et Méditerranée, tome 114, n°2. 2002. La culture scientifique à Rome à la Renaissance. pp. 657-671