One drawback to liberalism in the Roman Empire was the limited scope of political participation. While Roman citizens had some political rights and freedoms, such as the ability to vote and hold public office, these rights were only available to a relatively small portion of the population. Women, slaves, and non-citizens were excluded from participating in the political process, limiting the overall inclusivity and representation of liberal ideals in Roman society. This lack of full political participation contributed to social inequality and hindered the development of a more democratic system of governance.
