Introduction to Liberal Solidarity: The Political Economy of Social Democratic Liberalism

This chapter outlines the key features of a form of liberalism entitled liberal solidarity or social democratic liberalism. In contrast to the soc-called neoliberalism of Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman, it sees liberty in terms of human flourishing, rather than the mere absence of coercion. It stresses the rule of law and equality of opportunity. Emphasizing our duties to others as well as our individual liberties and rights, liberal solidarity promotes some state intervention and state welfare provision in a market economy. Its past achievements include welfare states and Keynesian style economic intervention. It is exemplified today in the Nordic countries. It is explained how social democratic liberalism differs from socialism, and why - contrary to John Dewey - liberalism and large-scale socialism are incompatible. The chapter concludes with an outline of the argument in the remainder of the book.