The importance of individualism started as early as the reformation. Feudalism was being destroyed and new social classes appeared, such as the bourgeoisie. These new classes wanted to see some rights given to the people of society. Liberalism never really took hold until the 19th century. It began with the belief that people should be as free from restraint as possible. (589) Government was to stay out of civil affairs and deal with strictly government business. Governments focus being mainly on: defense of the country, police protection, and upkeep of public works. (589) Economic affairs were considered something early liberals felt government had no right dealing with, and that economic prosperity was heavily dependant on a laissez-faire attitude from the government. L.T. Hobhouse did not agree with total economic freedom. Hobhouse believes man is not responsible to regulate economy or industry, and that man has no power over its ups and downs. The classical economic liberalism stated the opposite, and believed that if allowed economic liberty man would bring about maximum good for the general welfare of society. (589) This was more of an extreme liberalist idea, whereas Hobhouse was more of the new age 20th century liberalist. The 20th century liberalist did away with the classical principles of laissez-faire, and allowed government to play a role in economy. (687) This was first seen in Britain with the National Insurance Act of 1911, which provided benefits for workers in case of sickness and unemployment. (687) "Liberalism, which had been based on the principle that the government that governs least governs best, had been transformed". (688)
             Samuel Smiles viewed liberalism from an early 19th century standpoint, where government had little to do with civil life. Samuel states "whatever is done for men or classes, to a certain extent takes away the stimulus and necessity of doing for ourselves&quo...