Matt Bufton is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Institute for Liberal Studies based in Ottawa, Ontario. The ILS is a non-partisan venue for the discussion of economics, philosophy, politics, and the foundations of a free society.
The ILS aims to use the study of classical liberalism to cultivate critical thinking and informed citizenship. Classical liberalism, recognized for its emphasis on personal liberty and limited government, serves as a foundational philosophy for the western world. While classical liberalism and libertarianism are often used interchangeably, libertarianism tends to extend this vision by advocating minimal, if any, state interference. Both are, however, in stark contrast to modern liberalism which prioritizes social welfare and collective responsibility.
We discuss how the concept of political neutrality is central to classical liberalism, reflecting the ideal of fostering open discourse free from ideological bias. However, maintaining neutrality can be challenging in a polarized world. Libertarian skepticism toward authority aligns with this stance but underscores the difficulty of achieving impartiality. Meanwhile, modern liberal priorities, such as equity and inclusivity, often introduce complexities into neutral institutions. The work of the ILS highlights how educational initiatives can counteract these difficulties.
We talk about utilitarianism and its focus on maximizing happiness and consequentialism which intersects with classical liberalism by offering a moral approach to ethical dilemmas. Classical liberal thought aligns with utilitarianism’s rational foundation, but the more libertarian strain often questions collective solutions that infringe on individual autonomy. In practice, modern liberalism will apply utilitarian principles to address issues like education reform and social justice which highlights a distortion of classical liberal ideas today.
Immigration comes up. We discuss how classical liberalism supports the free movement of people as an extension of individual liberty and global trade and how there is still a disconnect in the wider political conversation around immigration. The distinction between private and public property is not made clear. And why immigration, like many issues, should be subject to market forces and not the arbitrary whims of politicians.
Democracy serves as another cornerstone of liberal studies, reflecting classical liberal values of individual participation in governance. However, the principles of democracy face challenges, including declining trust and growing polarization. Libertarian critiques of majoritarianism highlight the potential pitfalls of democratic systems.
Through discussions around these ideological traditions - classical liberalism and libertarianism - the ILS hopes to foster nuanced debates on all the subjects we discuss, political neutrality, ethical reasoning, immigration, and democracy. This exploration provides students and individuals a deeper understanding of their roles within society and the tools to navigate complex challenges with informed perspectives.
I hope you enjoy it.
...oh, and this is the first video version of the Darcy Gerow Podcast. You should be able to find it on YouTube also.
-Darcy
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