LIBERALISM

 A political philosophy or worldview based and founded on ideas of liberty and

equality
 An ideology which central theme is about: commitment to individual, desire to
construct a society where people can satisfy their interests and achieve
fulfilment.
 Liberalism forwards the idea that individuals are naturally endowed with reason
and as such, be allowed to enjoy the maximum possible freedom.
 These are all the ideas that liberalism stands for:
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of the press
- Freedom of religion
- Free markets
- Civil rights
- Democratic societies
- Secular governments
- Gender equality
- International cooperation
How did Liberalism come about?
 An early agricultural societies when people started living in settled communities
and were forced to find ways of trading and living with strangers.
 Breakdown of feudalism in Europe and they rise of an aspiring middle class.
 The middle class gave rise to a capitalist society and a market economy.
 It created a sense on individualism among people.
 Radical demands of change from the people to abolish traditional structures of
power that conflict with their interests.
What are its central values?
 For Liberals, freedom is the only state where individuals can fully develop their
skills and potentials.
 However, Liberals do not believe in ‘absolute freedom’ - is complete freedom of
mental, physical and emotions. It is a freedom form our desire, fear, pain, and
grief. It is not only for particular religion caste creed or sex.
 For Liberals, they are also aware of the dangers it poses against freedom.
“The only purpose for which power can rightfully be exercised over any member
of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” – John
Stuart Mill
 For Liberals, power naturally corrupts and if it isn’t regulated or checked, it can
be abused.
 “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts indefinitely” – Lord Acton

Age of Enlightenment (La Ilustracion)

 Liberalism became popular to moral philosophers and economist in the western
world.
 Key ideas:
- Free will of the individual
- People are born free, rational and individual
- Individuals are the best judges of their own interests
- People are free to find their own place in society
- People may be born with different talents, powers, skills and potentials – yet
all should have equal rights
 John Locke
- A 17th century philosopher and founder of Liberalism. He argued that each
man has a natural right to life, liberty and property which are the right that the
government should not violate based on the social contract. Social contract
was rooted in the duty of all individuals to respect the rights of others.
- “Man is born free, but is everywhere in chains”, the ‘real’ restraints on people
imposed by absolute rulers and the denial of HUMAN RIGHTS – the basic
freedom to exist.
- “The end of law is not to abolish or restrain but to preserve an enlarged
freedom”
 Thomas Hobbes
- He introduced the idea that people give up natural rights to freedom in
exchange for security and protection.
 Most important influence of Enlightenment, can be reflected during the French
Revolution where liberalism started to significantly spread. They stands for
liberty, equality and fraternity.
Timeline
 Liberalism and similar terms (liberal, liberty) originate from Latin ‘liber’ means
free.
 1375 – used to describe literal arts in the context of an education desirable for a
free born man.
 With the rise of the Enlightenment, the word acquired decisively more positive
undertones ‘free from narrow prejudice’ and ‘free from bigotry’
 The middle of 19th century, liberal was used as a political term in party and
movements worldwide.
 Liberalism is synonym for freedom
BOURBON REFORMS
The Bourbon Reforms in New Spain were the series of the administrative
changes applied by the Spanish Monarchs of the House of Bourbon from 18 th century in
the Viceroyalty of New Spain.  The beginning of the new Crown's power with clear lines
of authority to officials contrasted to the complex system of government that evolved
under the Habsburg monarchs. For example, the crown pursued state supremacy over
the Catholic Church, pushed economic reforms, and placed power into the hands of
Spanish governors.
The reforms resulted in significant restructuring of administrative structure and
personnel. The reforms were intended to stimulate manufacturing and technology to
modernise Spain. In Spanish America, the reforms were designed to make the
administration more efficient and to promote its economic, commercial and fiscal
development. When looking at the material effects of how the Bourbon Reforms aimed
to change the relationship between the Spanish American colonies and the Crown, it
can be said that the reforms functionally aimed to transform semi-autonomous groups
into proper colonies. Specifically, the reforms sought to increase commercial agriculture
and mining and increase trade. The system was intended to be much more hierarchal,
forcing the colonies to become more dependent on Spain and serve as a market for
their manufactured goods. The crown ordered these changes in hopes that it would
have a positive effect on the economy of Spain. Furthermore, the Bourbon Reforms
were intended prevent colonies from producing manufactured goods that would
compete with goods exported from Spain and re-establish Spanish supremacy over the
colonies.

CADIZ CONSTITUTION
 Also known as Political Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy and as La Pepa.
 It was establish on March 19, 1812 by the Cortes of Cadiz.
 It was made due to Spain’s want to end the abuse made by the conservative
system in the country.
 An election was held in Manila to choose a Filipino representative to send to
Cadiz. Don Ventura Delos Reyes - a wealthy Filipino man was elected as
representative.
Importance
 Right to vote of men
 Sovereignty – is the full right and power of a governing body over itself, without
any interference from outside sources or bodies.
  Constitutional Monarchy – a form of monarchy govern by a king, queen or
emperor in which they exercise authority in accordance with a written or
unwritten constitution.
 Freedom to speech
 Land reform
 Free trade

Effect of Cadiz Constitution

Another attempt was made to pass the Cadiz Constitution in the Philippines but did not
come through. It has an effect on Spain governing the Philippines.
 The galleon trade was halted.
 Mercantilism (money means power) was replaced by free trade.
 1815 – outbreak of the Ilocos uprising against the cancellation on the execution
of the constitution in the Philippines.
Though it was not implemented, it has brought up a lot of reactions from the
Filipinos. For them, the discontinuance of its implementation was only made by the
colonial government to continue their abuse to the Filipinos by means of forced labor
and taxes. The uprising reached the neighboring towns of Ilocos. In these uprisings,
the natives has slain the principales that they consider as allies of the colonial
government in the abuse to them.
It helps the Filipinos to realize that they had the opportunity to fight for their rights.