It would be fair to say that my politics are liberal, but in the classic sense in favour of Political Freedom, Religious Freedom, Economic Freedom and Personal Freedom.
My gut says to steer toward small government, low tax burdens and light regulation. That is not to say that we should never allow governments to carry out certain functions and that on occasion we need to regulate markets that are failing the consumer, but those occasions occur infrequently and should be endorsed only as a last resort or where clear failures occur.
It sounds like I am dissembling there but simply because the theory is attractive does not mean that it always works in practice and if I am attracted to Liberalism then I am hooked on what works and works well.
Economic Freedom and strong property rights are not enough of course. Freedom of religion and speech combined with a rigorous democratic system policed by free press and media (Big Business versions or small business I don’t care so long as they are free to write or draw as they like).
So I think that this blog will focus on those themes. On how free Irish and European Society (It would be foolish to ignore Europe given that we are members of the EU) not just economically but in terms of political and religious rights too.
Well that’s the plan. Hopefully soon I will be updated my blog links with similar minds pro and con my position.
March 2, 2006 • 3:55 pm 0
My Outlook – Liberal in the Classic Sense
