Rosenblatt argues that modern political liberalism was actually forged in during the French Revolution to protect revolutionary achievements from both radical extremism and conservative backlash. Book Review: The Lost History of Liberalism - LSE Blogs

The journey begins in , where being "liberal" meant practicing liberalitas (liberality). This was the aristocratic virtue of being a generous, public-minded citizen who prioritized the welfare of the community over selfish interests. Figures like Cicero viewed this generosity as the "bond of human society," essential for maintaining a free republic. The French Birth and German Transformation The Lost History of Liberalism: From Ancient Ro...

In her book The Lost History of Liberalism: From Ancient Rome to the Twenty-First Century , Helena Rosenblatt tells the story of how the concept of "liberalism" was originally a moral philosophy centered on civic duty and the common good, rather than just individual rights. Figures like Cicero viewed this generosity as the