Lost Language, Lost Liberalism

A review of the changes 1880-1940 to the central semantics of liberal civilization.

Equality

Classical liberal meaning
New meanings; confusions
The principles of commutative justice go for all equally; everyone equally is “king” of his stuff. Equality before the law.(1) Equality in condition (e.g., wealth or income) or opportunity. (2) Equality in ability to participate in political processes, notably elections.

4L is authored by Daniel B. Klein, Professor of Economics, JIN Chair at the Mercatus Center, George Mason University, Associate Fellow of the Ratio Institute; email: dklein@gmu.edu

Quotations compiled by Ryan Daza & Daniel B. Klein