Summary: In his conclusion to the series 'Schools of Thought in Classical Liberalism,' Dr. Nigel Ashford asks: What do you think the role of government should be? How do you decide what government should or shouldn't do? What's your philosophy? What do you believe? Anarchy: there is no role for government. Minimal government, or minarchy: government should provide an army, police, and courts, but nothing else. Social market economy: government has a responsibility for helping the poorest in society and providing a basic welfare state. Non-classical liberal views: it's the role of the government to promote a virtuous society (conservatism), to create equality (leftist), to own or control all aspects of the economy (socialism), or to control every aspect of life (totalitarianism, communism, and fascism).
