Liberalism is an important and progressive thought of modern age. This is not only a thought, but it is a lifestyle and movement also, which negates the medieval orthodox line of thought and adopts new thoughts. This word is derived from a Latin word, meaning freedom. In this way, the meaning of liberalism is a line of thought having faith in democratic system and it constitutionally supports optimum freedom in one’s life in the fields of articulation, dignity, rights, expression, exchange of thoughts, faith, business and cooperation, etc.

This line of thought has belief in one’s welfare, dignity and freedom. This thought believes in lawful and rational system of administration. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “Liberalism is a thought in the form of philosophy or principle, which is committed to the freedom in the light of principle of organization of society in the policy of the government and also in the lifestyle of society”. According to Satori, “In simple words, liberalism is a principle of behaviour of personal freedom, judicial safety and constitutional state”.

Main Characteristics of Liberalism: 

The following are the main characteristics of liberalism: 

1. Liberalism is such a line of thought which supports consistent improvements on the basic of rationality in social, economic and religious domains. 

2. This thought emphasizes on the individual freedom of a person. 

3. This doctrine adopts the policy of free trade in economical field and minimum state intervention. 

4. The thought of liberalism has faith in constant improvement by parliamentary and legal methods in the field of politics. That is, liberalism is a mixture of two separate elements in the form of political principles 

• Democracy. 
• Individualism

5. This thought gives special importance to the freedom of citizens. 

6. This line of thought has faith in the progress of human society. 

7. Liberalism is such a mental tendency which mulls over social, political and economical questions freely with an open mindset. On the basis of wisdom and logic, it observes all the institutions in the context of social interests and it tries to weed out any evils found in its course. It lays stress on all – round development of an individual. 

8. This thought does not regard state as a necessary evil, instead it thinks a state to be a moral, public welfare and social service institution. It regards a state as a coordinating institution. As per it conception, state establishes coordination between people of different communities, classes and interests. 

9. Liberalism in the context of its development, is divided into two parts: 

• Traditional liberalism or negative liberalism 
•  Modern or positive liberalism. Traditional liberalism gives much importance to the belief that a state has to adopt positive role in controlling and balancing mutual relations among the persons.