Question

What is the relationship, if any, between classical liberalism in Great Britain—represented by figures like Adam Smith, John Locke, David Hume, and Adam Ferguson—and the Renaissance? When referring to Great Britain's classical liberalism, I am alluding to authors who emphasized the importance of the individual over the group. This emphasis on individualism seems to have roots in European Renaissance writers such as Petrarch, Pico della Mirandola, and Montaigne. While I am aware of the influence of French physiocrats on Adam Smith, are there other connections between classical liberalism in Great Britain and Renaissance ideas? Alternatively, could the ideas of the more German Reformation, particularly Protestantism, have influenced these classical liberal thinkers, as suggested by the work of Deirdre McCloskey?

Answer 1

Classical liberalism in Great Britain is closely related to the individualistic and rationalistic ideas of the Renaissance, and it was also influenced by the ethos of the Reformation, especially Protestantism's valorization of individual conscience.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between classical liberalism in Great Britain and the Renaissance is rooted in the shift towards individualism and rational thought. Figures such as Adam Smith, John Locke, David Hume, and Adam Ferguson embraced principles of natural rights, individual freedom, and economic liberalism that find their antecedents in Renaissance humanism.

Writers like Petrarch and Pico della Mirandola celebrated human potential and individuality, laying the groundwork for later thinkers to explore personal liberty and social contracts.

Furthermore, the Reformation, particularly Protestantism, influenced these liberal theorists by encouraging a questioning of traditional authority and highlighting the importance of personal conscience. Deirdre McCloskey suggests that the Protestant ethic contributed to the development of these liberal ideas.

Adam Smith’s endorsement of free markets and laissez-faire economics reflects the Renaissance's valorization of individual capabilities and Locke’s emphasis on property rights and government by consent echoes the Renaissance's commitment to personal autonomy.