Over the years, the staunch individualism gradually gave way to a mushier liberalism that called upon government to stabilize the economy and, through an expanding welfare state, provide economic security. The Economist rightly sees itself as occupying a middle ground between the old liberalism, with its emphasis on economic and political freedom, and the new, with its faith that collective actions can bring collective good. Global life expectancy in the past 175 years has risen from a little under 30 years to over 70. (2) Massive welfare states have discredited governments and established leaders. Politicians prefer stalemate to the hard work of constructing a Liberalism 3.0.

Source: Manila Times September 22, 2018 16:18 UTC