What Liberalism Really Means

In our time, the word liberalism has been stretched, twisted, and politicized beyond recognition. It’s been used to divide people into tribes and to turn philosophical principles into partisan labels. But at its core, liberalism was never meant to be a slogan or a political weapon. It was—and remains—a moral idea about human dignity and the rightful limits of power.

At its foundation, liberalism is the belief that every person possesses inherent worth and inalienable rights, and that governments exist by consent to protect those rights—not to grant or define them. It’s the idea that the individual precedes the state, that justice requires equal freedom under law, and that no one—no king, no official, no majority—stands above that law.

In other words, liberalism rests on a few core principles that define it regardless of time or culture:

• Individual Rights — Every human being has certain natural or inherent rights that do not depend on government, birth, or class.Freedom of conscience, speech, property, and association flow from this.

• Equality Before the Law — All individuals are equal in moral worth and legal standing; no one is above the law.

• Limited Government by Consent — Government is not an end in itself but an instrument, created by the people and justified only insofar as it protects their rights and freedoms.

• The Rule of Law — Power must be exercised according to known, general, and predictable laws—not the arbitrary will of rulers.

• Freedom of Thought and Expression — Truth and progress emerge through free inquiry, debate, and the open exchange of ideas.

• Tolerance and Pluralism — Because individuals are free and diverse, society must allow space for differing beliefs, lifestyles, and opinions.

These principles form the moral foundation of a free society. They’re what gave rise to constitutional government, civil rights, and the belief that we the people are capable of governing ourselves in freedom. They represent the heart of the American experiment—a shared commitment to liberty, justice, and the rule of law.

When I speak about civic nationalism and unity, I’m speaking from this tradition. It’s a belief that liberty and responsibility go hand in hand, that we preserve freedom not by tearing each other down but by upholding the principles that make it possible.

At its best, liberalism isn’t about ideology. It’s about respecting human dignity, restraining power, and ensuring that government remains the servant of the people—not their master.

That’s the America I believe in.

That’s the Arkansas I’m working for.

With respect for all Arkansans,

Joshua Irby

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