As regular readers know, (recall here; and here) I have argued that the political meaning of 'liberal' that became influential in the nineteenth century can be found in Adam Smith. In Particular, rather than seeing the origin story of liberalism as a reaction to the European religious wars between Catholics and Protestants, I argue that originally liberalism is centered on taming, even domesticating state power. And that ‘liberal’ in this sense acquired its original meaning in Adam Smith (
I am posting this on behalf of Daniel B. Klein (GMU), who seems to have anticipated some of the material reported above (and tried to comment on this Substack post):
"I’d proven many of the claims in 2014, and linked to my Ratio video where I discuss Adlersparre and Johan’s book:
I am posting this on behalf of Daniel B. Klein (GMU), who seems to have anticipated some of the material reported above (and tried to comment on this Substack post):
"I’d proven many of the claims in 2014, and linked to my Ratio video where I discuss Adlersparre and Johan’s book:
https://youtu.be/GXNsk3A0CF8?t=1614
timestamped where I talk about Spain and Sweden
The video also features ngrams from five languages proving that Brits exported to Continent.
Here is one of my many debates with Helena:
https://www.facebook.com/tankesmedjantimbro/videos/389066258485074?s=100001090903616&v=e&sfns=mo
She has never challenges any of my evidence.
Here’s the Atlantic piece from 2014:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/02/the-origin-of-liberalism/283780/
Here is the fullest write up to date:
https://www.svensktidskrift.se/dan-klein-the-liberal-christening/
Feel free to post if you would.
Best,
/Dan"