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Line 25: − In Europe many modern liberal parties describe themselves as [[Socialist]]<ref>[http://www.socialistgroup.eu/gpes/delegationlist.do?lg=en]</ref> − − Liberals typically align themselves with the [[Democratic Party]] in the United States, and the [[socialist]] [[Labour Party]] or Liberal Democratic Party in Great Britain. + − +
the previous version confuses liberal as used in the US, with liberal as used outside the US. It is explicit now.
'''Liberal''' is a term used to describe a person who generally is left-wing in his attitudes towards the government, establishment, and many other laws. The term was first used in reference to a political opinion c. 1801 A.D., in the aftermath of the French Revolution, when it meant "tending in favor of freedom and democracy" — at that time the liberal party was the party of individual political freedoms.<ref>Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=liberal]</ref>
'''Liberal''' is a term used in US politics to describe a person who generally is left-wing in his attitudes towards the government, establishment, and many other laws. The term was first used in reference to a political opinion c. 1801 A.D., in the aftermath of the French Revolution, when it meant "tending in favor of freedom and democracy" — at that time the liberal party was the party of individual political freedoms.<ref>Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=liberal]</ref>
"Liberalism" today means the favoring of collectivism or egalitarianism over individual responsibility. Liberals tend to prefer equality in result rather than increased opportunities that can result in unequal results.
"Liberalism" in the US today means the favoring of collectivism or egalitarianism over individual responsibility. Liberals tend to prefer equality in result rather than increased opportunities that can result in unequal results.
The term "liberal" is used often in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Some examples of liberal beliefs include:
The term "liberal" is used in the United States to characterize the following set of beliefs::
* support of gun control
* support of gun control
* government "education" (indoctrination) about human reproduction
* government "education" (indoctrination) about human reproduction
Liberals in the US typically align themselves with the [[Democratic Party]]. Note, that ''liberal'' in the European context often refers to moderate and center-right parties.<ref>http://www.alde.eu</ref> The same holds for many ''liberal'' parties throughout the world.<ref>http://www.liberal-international.org/</ref>
An alternative definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":<ref>Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal</ref>
An alternative definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":<ref>Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal</ref>
:Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...
: Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...
==References==
==References==