After Second World War, there came wide changes in liberalism economic, political and social circumstances. A positive doctrine of liberalism came into being against the increasing effect of Marxism and socialism.
This doctrine of liberalism emphasises on the following points :
1. It emphasises on setting up of a welfare state.
2. Fulfillment of basic necessities of persons.
3. Stress on universal adult franchise, impartial elections and political participation.
4. Stress on overall development of an individual in all spheres of life.
5. Stress on political culture of democratic society
6. Equal opportunities and rights to all persons
7. This form of liberalism believes in peaceful reformist and successive social changes in place of adoption of revolutionary methods.
8. Advocates for improvement in the interests of minorities, old persons and weaker sections of the society.
9. Public development and faith in scientific progress.
10. State as positive means for social good.
11. Stress on lessening widespread communalism and class- discontent.
12. Stress on thinking with new views to resolve problems of democratic set up.
13. To make capitalism flexible and stress on objectives of controlled economy.
14. Talk for collective good.
15. Modem liberalism stresses on mixed and controlled economy in place of ‘market arrangement’.
Criticism :
Modern and contemporary liberalism can be criticised on the following bases :
1. This thought is linked to capitalism.
2. It entrusts a state with the responsibilities to form necessary social changes for freedom and does not end capitalism.
3. Its social justice is a mere show.
4. This form of liberalism is, in fact, a philosophy for old-aged group. It basically stresses on capitalism and status quo.
5. It makes the state powerful so that the poor can be oppressed in the name of political validity.
6. This form of liberalism suppresses revolutionary voices of the poor.
