Liberalism Explained: Core Values and Policy Debates

Course Requirements

• A curiosity about political philosophies and how they shape societies
• A willingness to engage with diverse viewpoints and challenge your own assumptions
• No prior knowledge of liberalism is required, just an open mind!

Course Description

Lately it seems like the world is divided in two distinct groups, liberals and conservatives. Every dinner with your relatives is incomplete without a fight over the political ideology that everyone supports, and people get very passionate about this topic. A political ideology is not just a random part of history, instead it’s something that resonates in every single part of your life, from education, healthcare, taxes, jobs and even more. Every part of your life is permeated by the political ideology that you support, and the one that your government is a part of. But how do you decide which ideology to support? This course will teach you about the core tenets of liberalism, its foundation, its core principles, and the different ways that liberalism is applicable to your life.

To get an extensive overview into the liberal political ideology, enroll in this course right away!

What You Will Learn?

• The Foundations of liberalism: We’ll trace the origins of liberalism, exploring its roots in the Enlightenment and the key thinkers who shaped its development.
• Core Liberal Principles: We’ll examine the key principles that underpin liberalism, such as individual liberty, equality, reason, tolerance, and pluralism.
• Different Flavors of liberalism: We’ll explore the different schools of thought within Liberalism, from classical liberalism to social liberalism and libertarianism.
• Liberalism in Action: We’ll look at how liberalism has played out in the real world, examining its impact on revolutions, social movements, and global politics.
• Contemporary Challenges: We’ll grapple with some of the biggest challenges facing liberalism today, such as inequality, populism, and the threat of authoritarianism.

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Introduction to Liberalism

• Lecture 1: What is Liberalism?
• Lecture 2: Why Study Liberalism?

Module 2: Historical Foundations of Liberalism

• Lecture 3: The Enlightenment and the Rise of Liberal Thought
• Lecture 4: John Locke and the Social Contract Theory
• Lecture 5: The American and French Revolutions: Liberalism in Action

Module 3: Core Principles of Liberalism

• Lecture 6: Individual Liberty and its Limits
• Lecture 7: Equality: Different Conceptions and their Implications
• Lecture 8: Reason, Tolerance, and Pluralism: The Liberal Ethos
• Lecture 9: Social Justice and the Welfare State: Liberal Perspectives

Module 4: Varieties of Liberalism

• Lecture 10: Classical Liberalism vs. Social Liberalism: The Great Divide
• Lecture 11: Neoliberalism: Its Rise and Impact on Global Politics
• Lecture 12: The “Third Way”: A Blend of Liberalism and Social Democracy

Module 5: Liberalism and Political Systems

• Lecture 13: Liberal Democracy: Its Strengths and Weaknesses
• Lecture 14: The Liberal International Order: History and Challenges
• Lecture 15: Case Studies: Liberalism in Different Countries

Module 6: Liberalism and Policy Debates

• Lecture 16: Economic Policy: Free Markets vs. Government Intervention
• Lecture 17: Social Issues: Feminism, LGBTQ+ Rights, and Multiculturalism
• Lecture 18: Global Challenges: Human Rights, Democracy Promotion, and Interventionism

Who this course is for?

• Students of political science, history, or philosophy
• Anyone interested in understanding liberal ideas and their impact
• Those seeking to engage in informed discussions about political issues

Sound interesting? Enroll now and let’s get started!

Certificate of Completion

Upon successful completion of the course and final assessment, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from Eduta.