Robert Cameron has nailed it. Liberalism changed its focus from the oppression of a ruling, and particularly an aristocratic, class, to the oppression of the business class. read more
The experience of the 19th century, however, showed that a laissez-faire capitalism allowing maximum freedom to the wealthy to do whatever they wanted to do to increase their own wealth did not lead to either freedom or prosperity for the working classes. read more
Indeed, liberalism was so well established in the United States’ constitutional structure, its political culture, and its jurisprudence that there was no distinct role for a liberal party to play, at least not until the 20th century. read more
The expansion of governmental power and responsibility sought by liberals in the 20th century was clearly opposed to the contraction of government advocated by liberals a century earlier. In the 19th century liberals generally formed the party of business and the entrepreneurial middle class; for much of the 20th century they were more likely to work to restrict and regulate business in order to provide greater opportunities for labourers and consumers. read more