LAHORE: Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday highlighted various aspects of liberalism as a social, political and economic concept.

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with the Government College University (GCU) organised the event.

Dr Fauzia Ghani of Political Science Department spoke about liberalism as a socioeconomic and political concept. “The word was coined by John Locke and encouraged individual freedom for productivity and development, but by the 20th century the utilitarian theory changed the concept a little by moving from just the individualistic approach to the communalistic approach,” she said.

“Liberalism enhances the individual’s capability of production with little government intervention. People are free to produce, buy and sell to raise their standards of living. In economic liberalism, economic decisions are made by individuals or households rather than by collective institutions or organisations.”

She said there were certain downsides of the system as well. “The political system of a country greatly affects how liberalism comes into motion. In many instances, human rights which are considered important and liberalism are incompatible,” she said.

Liberalism may lead to inequality and disparities but because individuals are given power, they may be able to make changes. Obviously this requires great responsibility, and freedom is not without restrictions and limitations, she said.

Dr Alwin Murad (GCU’s Philosophy Department) emphasised that liberalism advocated equality, respect and dignity of the person, and encouraged freedom of expression and equal distribution of wealth.

Speaking on ethical values, CSJ chairperson Wajahat Masood, a columnist, said liberalism meant accepting the possibility of being wrong, compassion and empathy, productivity and human freedom.

“It has nothing to do with beliefs or dress codes, contrary to what many think it is. It also has nothing to do with judging others from their appearances and practices. Without modesty and humanity, there are no ideals of liberalism,” he explained.

“A person may be called liberal if he or she has empathy for others, and has love for knowledge, creativity, productivity, and strives for equality of rights and opportunities,” he said.

Mohammad Afzal Khan (Philosophy Department) posed counter intuitive paradoxes or questions when it came to liberalism. He questioned whether liberalism, which recognises minorities, also created issues of majoritarianism.

“There are groups who are not given a voice in liberalism even though some of the larger minority groups are,” he said. “From a social sciences and an arts perspective, though, liberalism is important because it allows freedom of thought and imagination, as well as all other freedoms. But is this happening in academic spaces?” he asked, referring in particular to the lynching of Mashal Khan. He said technology, while providing convenience for humans, was also ultimately turning humans into instruments rather than thinking beings. He said at least in academic spaces such freedoms should be there.

Concluding the event, CSJ Executive Director Peter Jacob said it was important to deal with misunderstandings and misconceptions among the youth in particular regarding liberalism. “Some people call those who believe in modernity ‘liberal fascists’ which is sad,” he said.

“In fact, we are only living with one kind of fascism and that is intolerance. That is why a change of mindset is integral. A liberal person has tolerance and open mindedness to change. But no one theory is suitable for all countries, therefore states have to create and maximise opportunities for weaker groups to make them equal in opportunities and rights,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2017

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