Discussion on liberalism as a philosophy, German and European politics, and FNF work in the Philippines

1. www.fnf.org.ph
Liberalism, German Politics
and FNF in the Philippines
Jules Maaten
Country Director Philippines, FNF
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell
Presentation at a joint meeting of
Rotary Club of Taguig Fort Bonifacio,
Rotary Club of Makati Pio del Pilar, RI District 3830
Metro Club, Rockwell Center, Makati City, Philippines

2. www.fnf.org.ph
Liberalism
It is the philosophy of liberty
It is a philosophy of empowerment
Origin in protecting the individual
against institutions of power
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

3. www.fnf.org.ph
Liberalism
“The only purpose for which power
can be rightfully exercised over any
member of a civilised community, is
to prevent harm to others. His own
good, either physical or moral, is not
sufficient warrant”
John Stuart Mill (1859)
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

4. www.fnf.org.ph
Liberalism in politics
Protection of individual rights
Equality of all human beings under the law
Balance and separation of powers
Belief in liberal representative democracy
Balance between majority rule and the rights of the
minority
Weary of (state) authority, but state is rights guarantor
Limitation and decentralisation of government powers
Separation of church and state
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

5. www.fnf.org.ph
Liberalism
“Our faith in freedom does not rest
on the foreseeable results in
particular circumstances but on the
belief that it will, on balance, release
more forces for the good than for the
bad”
Friedrich A. von Hayek (1960)
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

6. www.fnf.org.ph
Liberalism in economics
Belief in free enterprise and free markets with many
players
Protection of private property
Support for free trade
Privatisation of services better provided by the private
sector
Competition, no private monopolies
Role for state where market does not function
(education, environment, culture, social policies)
Don’t leave debts to future generations
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

7. www.fnf.org.ph
Liberalism
“The end of law is not to abolish or
restrain, but to preserve and enlarge
freedom. For in all the states of
created beings capable of law, where
there is no law, there is no freedom.”
John Locke (1690)
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

8. www.fnf.org.ph
Liberalism in society
Protection and expansion of civil rights and liberties
Free speech, religious freedom and freedom of
association
A free, strong and active civil society
Personal freedom, social inclusion and tolerance
Equal rights for everybody
Protection of our environment and that of our children
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

9. www.fnf.org.ph
Liberalism
“Liberalism is trust of the people,
tempered by prudence.
Conservatism is distrust of the
people, tempered by fear.”
William E. Gladstone (1866)
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

10. www.fnf.org.ph
A way of life
Trust and confidence in people
Responsibility
Tolerance and respect
Question authority
Unconvinced by violence and extremism
Conviction and argument
Optimism
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

11. www.fnf.org.ph
A way of life
It’s all about freedom!
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

12. www.fnf.org.ph
FNF Philippines
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell
Human rights
Economic freedom
Good governance
Climate change
It’s All About Freedom

13. www.fnf.org.ph
German politics
The Merkel era (2005-)
Beacon of stability
FDP in extra-parliamentarian opposition
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

14. www.fnf.org.ph
European politics
Germany at the centre of most successful international
project ever
Economic
Monetary
Political
Dissociation from Europeans
European Elections May 22-25 2014
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

15. www.fnf.org.ph
In conclusion: political craft
Politics is the art of the possible.
(Otto von Bismarck, 1867)
Politics is not the art of the possible.
It consists in choosing between the
disastrous and the unpalatable.
(John Kenneth Galbraith, 1962)
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

16. www.fnf.org.ph
In conclusion: political craft
The challenge is to practice politics
as the art of making what appears to
be impossible, possible.
(Hillary Rodham Clinton, 1969)
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

17. www.fnf.org.ph
Maraming salamat po
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

18. www.fnf.org.ph
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

19. www.fnf.org.ph
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

20. www.fnf.org.ph
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

21. www.fnf.org.ph
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

22. www.fnf.org.ph
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

23. www.fnf.org.ph
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

24. www.fnf.org.ph
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell

25. www.fnf.org.ph
May 6, 2014 Rotary @ Rockwell