Source: Liberal Currents
by Jeremy Livingston
“I am a liberal — full stop. I am a ‘mere liberal.’ I situate my political practice in the history of liberalism, drawing inspiration from the works of the ‘classical liberals,’ and especially Adam Smith, Benjamin Constant, and John Stuart Mill. There is much in their writings of evergreen relevance to liberals today. But for just this reason, I resist efforts by libertarian conservatives to commandeer the classical tradition of liberalism. Many who now pretend to the title of ‘classical liberal’ do so, not to advance liberalism, but to thieve the prestige of better thinkers, and to throw unearned glory over their own opinions. The phrase now risks becoming nothing more than a pompous and obscurantist piece of cant for conservatives. … It is up to the liberals of today to present a truly liberal interpretation of classical liberalism, one that speaks to our current political problems and priorities.” (05/28/25)
https://www.liberalcurrents.com/in-defense-of-classical-liberalism/