LIBERAL STATE: HISTORY, CHARACTERISTICS, ARGENTINA, MEXICO - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The liberal State is that system of a political and legal nature in which there is the recognition of individual rights (freedom of thought, right to property, among others), the separation of powers, market freedom and compliance with a maximum law or, in this case, a Constitution.

The liberal State was born in the midst of the French Revolution as a reaction against the absolutist regime, so it can also be considered as a starting point for the birth of the Contemporary Age. An important feature of the liberal state is that it focuses on delimiting the role of the state as an organ at the service of citizens.

Secular education is a characteristic of the liberal state

Under this model, state intervention should not exceed what is necessary and serves to represent a nation. This characteristic differs, for example, from absolutism, a system in which the king became the personification of the state.

History

Some authors indicate that the emergence of what would be the main ideas of the liberal State occurred during the French Revolution. However, it should be noted that the development of this political system was adapted according to the characteristics and contexts of each country over time.

Before the French Revolution, the State was monarchical in character and was headed by the king, who was the legal and political base. Behind him were the nobility and the clergy, the two social classes that enjoyed recognition and benefits.

The counterpart would be made up of the peasants, artisans and serfs, together with a social class that was gaining more ground economically: the bourgeoisie.

Influence of the bourgeoisie

One of the needs of the bourgeoisie was the search for rights that would allow its full development. Therefore, it became one of the engines that drove the revolt, in order to be able to take certain privileges of the nobility and thus transform them into what were later constitutional rights.

As proposed by John Locke and Montesquieu, for the permanence and establishment of the bourgeoisie as the ruling class, it was necessary to ensure the freedom of industry and commerce through the separation of powers. In this way, the following would be achieved:

- The division of powers into Executive, Legislative and Judicial.

- The State takes on a limited role and its functions are demarcated according to the other two powers that serve as a balance.

Declaration of the rights of man

To the above was also added the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, which was the backbone of the liberal State. With this it is recognized that all people are equal before the law and that, in addition, the right to property and freedom must be ensured.

The declaration emphasizes the importance of the law and the freedom of private property. The latter is conceptualized as an "inviolable and sacred right" that cannot be deprived by any person or entity, unless it is required to do so.

In the end, the liberal state brings with it:

- A new ruling class: the bourgeoisie.

- A new mode of production: capitalism (in which the free market is guaranteed).

- A new ideology: liberalism.

At present it is considered that this political system is still in force except for the periods when the world wars took place.

characteristics

Politically

- The liberal State does not have to do with the form of government, but rather with the dynamics established between the established powers (Executive, Legislative and Judicial).

- Universal male suffrage is the exercise of representative democracy.

- There is a distinction between the State and the Church.

- Elections are periodic.

- There is alternation of power.

In legal matters

- The State is governed by the principle of legality.

- There is a guarantee of individual and property rights.

- There is a recognition that all individuals are equal before the law.

- There is freedom of expression.

In the social

- The liberal State emphasizes that each citizen has the possibility of developing in society according to the achievements they obtain.

- There are no special privileges for those who belong to certain castes or lineage.

In the economic

- Respect for the right to private property (movable or immovable).

- Establishment of the free market (free exercise of supply and demand).

- Predominance of the privatization of industries to allow minimal State intervention.

Liberal state in Argentina

The changes that occurred in Argentina and that led it towards the liberal State, began in the middle of the s. XIX, thanks to a series of revolts that arose as a reaction against the colonialist state.

Centralist state

From then on, a centralist state was built that served to unite the territories and interests of the country, in order to achieve political, social and economic stability. The latter, in particular, had an influence on later development because it allowed the arrival of foreign investment and the entry into an international market.

In view of this, at the end of the century a series of changes of a liberal nature were carried out, such as the promulgation of free, compulsory and secular education, the integration of children of foreigners, and respect for the diversity of beliefs.

Another important measure was the foundation of the civil registry, which would be responsible for the registration of births, deaths and marriages, responsibilities that were only coined to the Church.

Political scene

The political arena was subject to major changes. In the beginning, there was an emphasis on the privileged classes. At the beginning of the s. XX this situation led to the need for popular mobilizations in favor of equal rights.

At this point, the State went from having a limited participation to having a broad one. The fluctuations continued in the mid-1960s and early 1970s, due to the confrontations between communist and capitalist ideologies that coexisted in the country.

The economic policies adopted in the 1980s and 1990s caused a change in the direction of the role of the State to limit intervention through the privatization of certain organizations, the promotion of greater market freedom and the promotion of competition.

Liberal state in Mexico

The arrival of the liberal State in Mexico was at the beginning of the s. XIX, when the independence ideals from Europe began to permeate. Thanks to this, a republic and a Constitution were built that would serve to unite the country.

However, one of the most relevant features of Mexican politics is the constant changes that took place. In the first place, they highlight the division and territorial conflicts, and the differences between social classes thanks to colonialism.

The power struggle was basically concentrated between two political tendencies: the conservatives, who wanted to maintain the same Spanish system; and the Liberals, who wanted the modernization of the country.

At the beginning of the s. XX there are signs of modernization in what is interpreted as an economic revolution. However, social and political inequality persists due to the lack of recognition of rights and equality before the law.

New Constitution

In 1917, a new Constitution was made that included the principles contemplated in the Declaration of Man and the Citizen, with the intention of establishing a democratic system with respect for the freedoms of the citizen, the division of powers and the arbitrator State. This law is still in force today.

Liberal state in Colombia

Colombia was influenced by the ideals of the liberal state from France and England. The currents related to the rights of man plus the Industrial Revolution served as the basis for breaking with the Spanish political and social scheme.

At first, conservative groups and the Church thought that the establishment of a liberal state would be a threat to the economic system that, at that time, only benefited the wealthy classes.

Despite this, it was not possible to establish the system due to the strong influence of the Church and the civil wars. That political and social context made the country rather take on a more corporatist organization.

Separation of powers

This remained more or less the same until the early 1990s (20th century), when a Constitution was established that helped establish the separation of powers, restricted state intervention, and an open-door economy.

However, analysts indicate that, although this model has provided the country with an opportunity for growth, it is expected that the State will have greater intervention to protect the interests of less favored sectors.

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