classical liberalism

The sociopolitical ideology that originally promoted personal freedom and limited government control, a free-enterprise system, and a belief in human rights that are inherent and independent of the state. This philosophy was developing during the time of the Magna Carta in 1215 and was further delineated by political philosophers such as John Locke (1632–1704) and Thom-as Jefferson (1743–1826). Classical liberalism influenced many national revolutions, especially during the period 1688 to 1789, and the establishment of many governments that had detailed bills of rights. The liberal view that “government that governs least governs best” began to change at the beginning of the 20th century. The emerging view, now most commonly called neoliberalism, was that individual freedom is mitigated by poverty and inequal opportunity and that government is the suitable vehicle to overcome these wrongs.