Meaning of liberal state (what is it, concept and definition)

What is a liberal state:

Liberal State is called a certain configuration in the legal-political order of a State, characterized by aspects such as the separation of public powers, democracy, a free market economic system, unrestricted submission to law and the constitution, the existence of a rule of law, and respect for the individual liberties of citizens and private property, among other things.

The liberal state arises as a consequence of the crisis of the absolutist political model, typical of monarchical regimes, which gave rise to the liberal revolution, by means of which the monarchical model, or old regime, was replaced by the liberal model or new regime.

In this sense, the liberal State is a political system characteristic of the beginning of the Contemporary Age, and, as such, it remains in force until our present time.

See also:

• Liberalism. Liberal.

Characteristics of the liberal state

The liberal State is characterized, politically, by the separation of powers, the absolute distinction between Church and State, and a multi-party democratic system with periodic elections that guarantee the alternation of power.

Legally, the liberal state is built on the principle of legality. In this sense, it offers the individual a rule of law, which guarantees their individual rights, the exercise of freedom, equality before the law, freedom of expression, among other things, all of which translates into legal certainty.

In the social sphere, the liberal State offers a theoretical equality of opportunities for everyone to conquer their rightful place in society according to their merits, abilities or work, leaving behind the privileges of caste or lineage of the estates society.

Finally, economically, the liberal state is characterized by unrestricted respect for private property, the free market, and limited state intervention. This last aspect is particularly important, since the liberal State interferes as little as possible in the economic life of the country, on the contrary, its action is limited, just, to mediation in specific conflicts between individuals.

Oligarchical liberal state

The oligarchic liberal state is one in which a certain economic, political or social group is the holder of positions of power within the state, preventing or making it difficult for other individuals, who are foreign to said privileged groups, to also occupy these positions. Certain political regimes have received this name throughout their history. An example of this would be the oligarchic liberal state that existed in Argentina between 1880 and 1916.

Liberal democratic state

As a liberal democratic state is called the political regime in which democracy is assumed as a system of government. In this sense, suffrage is the fundamental form of participation, so that there are free and periodic elections for citizens to choose their representatives in the political powers.