1.2.2. What did Liberal Nationalism Stand for?

Ideas of national unity in early-nineteenth-century Europe were closely allied to the ideology of liberalism. The term ‘liberalism’ derives from the Latin root liber, meaning free. For the new middle classes liberalism stood for freedom for the individual and equality of all before the law.

Liberalism is a principle centered around individual freedom and equality. Rooted in the Latin word 'liber', it emphasizes that every person should have the freedom to act and make choices. In the early 19th century, this idea became crucial for emerging middle classes who sought to assert their rights and liberties against oppressive regimes that didn't recognize individual freedoms. They championed equality under the law — meaning everyone, regardless of status, should be treated the same in the eyes of the law.

Imagine a classroom where all students are treated equally, regardless of their grades or backgrounds. Every student has the same rights to raise their hand, ask questions, and express their opinions. Just as this equality ensures that each student feels valued and has a voice, liberalism strives to give everyone in society rights and a sense of belonging.

Politically, it emphasised the concept of government by consent. Since the French Revolution, liberalism had stood for the end of autocracy and clerical privileges, a constitution and representative government through parliament.

An essential aspect of liberalism is the idea that governments should derive their authority from the consent of the governed, meaning citizens have a say in how they are ruled. Post-French Revolution, this thinking rejected absolute rule by kings (autocracy) and the privileges of the church. Liberals advocated for constitutional governance which required that leaders be accountable to the people, typically through elected representatives in a parliament.

Think of how a school council works. Students elect their representatives who then make decisions on behalf of the school. This council operates based on the votes and opinions of the students, illustrating the principle of 'government by consent' in a more relatable context.

Nineteenth-century liberals also stressed the inviolability of private property. Yet, equality before the law did not necessarily stand for universal suffrage. You will recall that in revolutionary France, which marked the first political experiment in liberal democracy, the right to vote and to get elected was granted exclusively to property-owning men.

Liberals believed in the protection of private property as a cornerstone of economic freedom. While they argued for equality under law, this equality didn't extend to everyone universally. In revolutionary France, voting rights were limited to men who owned property, meaning many citizens were left out of the political process. This contradiction highlighted that liberalism often prioritized the interests of the wealthy, reflecting the intricate dynamics between economic status and political power.

Consider a club where membership is restricted only to those who can pay a fee. While the club might promote equality among its members, it inherently excludes those who cannot afford the fee. This mirrors how early liberalism functioned, emphasizing rights for property owners while sidelining the poorer population.

In the economic sphere, liberalism stood for the freedom of markets and the abolition of state-imposed restrictions on the movement of goods and capital. During the nineteenth century, this was a strong demand of the emerging middle classes.

Liberalism advocated for an economic system free from government intervention. This 'freedom of markets' meant that individuals should be able to trade and do business without unnecessary regulations or tariffs that hindered economic activity. The growing middle class—comprised of merchants and industrialists—actively called for these changes to enhance their economic opportunities and competitiveness.

Imagine trying to sell lemonade outside your house. If the local government enforced strict rules on how much you could sell it for and required permits, it would be challenging to run your stand. In contrast, a free market would allow you to set your prices as you wish without hindrance, encouraging entrepreneurship like the liberal economic model.

Let us take the example of the German-speaking regions in the first half of the nineteenth century. Napoleon’s administrative measures had created out of countless small principalities a confederation of 39 states. Each of these possessed its own currency, and weights and measures. A merchant travelling in 1833 from Hamburg to Nuremberg to sell his goods would have had to pass through 11 customs barriers and pay a customs duty of about 5 per cent at each one of them.

In early 19th-century Germany, a fragmented political landscape significantly hampered trade. Each of the 39 states operated independently with its own currency and regulations, creating obstacles for merchants. A journey between two cities could involve multiple checkpoints and fees that discouraged trade, affecting overall economic growth. Liberals sought to unify these economic systems to facilitate free trade among German states and enhance economic prosperity.

Think about trying to drive through multiple toll booths to reach a destination. Each stop requires you to pay a fee and wait in line, making a simple trip tedious and lengthy. Similarly, the barriers in Germany disrupted commerce and made economic collaboration challenging.