Manchester Liberalism

Manchester Capitalism, Manchester Liberalism or Manchesterism are terms for political, economic and social movements of the 19th century, which originated in the North-West of England, and in Manchester in particular.

Manchester was, at the time, the world’s hub for its textile manufacturing industry. Manchester was also the place that saw the foundation of the Anti-Corn Law League in 1839.

Theoretically, Manchester Liberalism was founded on the writings of David Hume, Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill.

In its contemporary use, Manchester Capitalism denotes an economic system based on the Free Market and on laissez-faire economics. In this context, Manchester Capitalism is a derogatory term used to describe the negative impacts of neo-liberal globalisation such as child labour and longer working days.