Thoughts of Utilitarian Classical Liberalism

            Influential liberalists like Locke, Mill, Hobbes, Bentham, and Smith, despite some differences, all share the same opinion on the core concept of Liberalism; only when individual liberty is provided through the lack of government regulation, will people finally have the ability and freedom to reach their true potential for their own good, and inevitably for the good of society. The simple, yet fundamental concept that individuals act only on the grounds of avoiding pain and seeking pleasure, in my opinion, is not rivaled by any other theory of human nature proposed. This Utilitarian perception is the view that a liberal society must adopt in order to truly be free. Individuals must demand their government limit its powers to only preserving the liberties of individuals and not restraining them. In the United States, we must break our lust for government aid, unjust regulatory faculties, and outdated moralistic values, and learn that we are fully capable of deciding what is right from wrong for ourselves. Only then will we have the ability and resources to live happier, rational, more fruitful lives.