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John Locke is referred as the father of liberalism. Other main thinkers are : Adam Simth, Jeremy, Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Herbert Spencer.

1. Rule of law 

2. Democratic decentralisation 

3. Individual freedom 

4. Free trade

In 17th and 18th centuries, traditional liberalism came into existence which was of negative character. In this doctrine, freedom was thought to be devoid of bondage. The state with minimal intervention was termed to be the best.

1. Basis of law is logic, not an order 

2. The state which rules less is the best.

The traditional form of liberalism is also known by the names like classical liberalism, negative liberalism, etc.

The nature of liberalism is related to its advent and its developmental phases, and hence its nature can be understood as : 

1. Liberalism is a development thought. In 1688, the Glorious revolution in England discarded divine principles of the state and endeavoured to establish a human institution. 

2. Liberalism is a human-linked thought. 

3. Liberalism is linked to freedom. 

4. Liberalism is a thought linked to rights of individuals. 

5. Liberalism stresses on constitutionalism.

Modern liberalism :

This principle supports public welfare state. It asks for restrictions on personal wealth and tax on capitalists. Herbert Spencer (1820- 1903) writes on liberalism that in previous years, the work of liberalism was to restrict the powers of monarchs and in future, the work of liberalism will be to limit the powers of state. 

After Locke, many thinkers like Bentham, Tomas Paine, Rousseau, Montesqueu gave wings to liberalism. They not only expressed faith in power, reason, wisdom and ability of the individual, but also called for non-interference of the state in work of individual or citizens. It is as a result of liberalism that there was declaration of of human rights in France in 1779.

The doctrine of traditional liberalism regards religion as internal and private affair of an individual . It stresses on individual freedom. It accepts the existence of a limited state and supports it. It underlines social unity. In due course of time, liberalism, instead of being a revolutionary thought, became a thought of capitalism. This supports private wealth. This school of thought gave rise to inequality in human life. Liberalism became the second name of capitalism. Marx talks about equality by way of eliminating inequality struggle. As a result, liberalism changed its form.

After second world war, a sweeping change took place in the traditional thought of liberalism and then emerged positive liberalism. 

Its main features are as follows : 

1. It advocated for setting up of the welfare state. 

2. On overall development of an individual in all the spheres of life. 

3. To provide equal opportunities and rights to all individuals. 

4. Faith in development and scientific progress. 

5. Universal adult franchise, impartial election and stress on wider political participation. 

6. To keep faith in reformations, peaceful activities and gradual social change. 

7. Improvement in the status of minorities and weaker sections of the society. 

8. Support to mixed economy in place of market economy. 

9. Emphasis on political culture of democratic society.

Salient features of negative liberalism are as follows : 

1. It stresses more on individualism. 

2. It stresses on human rationality and stresses on faith in naturals gifts, rights, human life, liberty and wealth for humanity. 

3. Great value to human beings and faith in religious equality of individuals. 

4. It believes in personal freedom of individuals. 

5. It stresses on religious and cultural freedom of an individual in medieval period.