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The main idea I will be discussing is the rather anti-hobbesian removal of power from government in order to claim freedom for the people. In the days under discussion, the rulers of Europe held a lot more power that they do today, and this is largely due to Liberalism. People like Wilkes and Wollstonecraft and Mill all ran their own campaigns and made progress in their Liberal objective.

I do like the position which Liberalism has placed us in today. I definitely believe that learning about struggles for things such as freedom of the press and women’s rights are worth learning about, as they are often taken for granted today. Most people would agree that they enjoy the freedom they have; if they didn’t have that freedom it wouldn’t matter how many people agreed on anything.

It is worth questioning exactly where the line should be drawn? I don’t believe that the removal of power from the rulers would be likely to work ad extremum. If all power was removed from government, the government would cease to be. Everyone wants freedom, but I doubt that many people would flourish and be happy in a lawless land (more of happiness shortly). Even Rousseau felt that an attempt to fully return to a state of nature would be unsuccessful.  So would it be safe to say that we want quite a lot of freedom, but not too much?

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Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was a pioneer of feminism. One of the main themes of her work, A Vindication of the Rights of Women, was the manner in which women are guided or forced into a subjugated role.

Woolstonecraft avoids blaming any single party for the position of women in society, instead observing several causes one by one. Her finger of accusation points to society and its traditions, to men for perpetuating the behaviour which keeps women from realising their potential, and to women themselves for allowing these things to happen.

She draws a parallel between women and men by stating that just as women allow themselves to be oppressed by men, men allow themselves to be oppressed by their kings and rulers.

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Wilkes, famed for both ugliness and charm in equal measure, was a journalist and advocate of social liberties. He co-wrote wrote a delightful feminist poem called “Essay on Woman“, which later caused him a few problems.

Wilkes’ life was somewhat colourful: He was forced into exile several times, he was Mayor of London, a Member of Parliament (elected from prison), had countless mistresses and spent a good portion of his life up to his eyes in debt.

If you’re not a Wilkes enthusiast by now, it’s unlikely that he will have earned your favour by the time you’ve finished reading this…

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