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INSPECTING THE FOUNDATIONS OF LIBERALISM
Author(s) -
De Jasay Anthony
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
economic affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.24
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 1468-0270
pISSN - 0265-0665
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-0270.2009.01966.x
Subject(s) - liberalism , contradiction , democracy , reciprocal , law and economics , economic justice , liberal democracy , set (abstract data type) , sociology , property (philosophy) , classical liberalism , law , political science , epistemology , politics , philosophy , linguistics , computer science , programming language
Liberal justice is rooted in a system of conventions. They arise spontaneously as behavioural equilibria that bring mutual advantage to those adopting them. They protect life, limb, property and the pursuit of peaceful purposes, and require the fulfilment of reciprocal promises. Collective choice, where some impose choices on others who submit, violates liberal justice and reduces the set of freedoms. Liberalism and democracy are incompatible as organising principles and ‘liberal democracy’ is a contradiction in terms.