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Talk:Liberal Bias in Popular Dictionaries (view source)
Revision as of 19:41, February 22, 2009
, 19:41, February 22, 2009no edit summary
Now how does it define [[Conservative]]? (I would look up myself if I had one!) [[User:AddisonDM|AddisonDM]] 14:20, 22 February 2009 (EST)
Now how does it define [[Conservative]]? (I would look up myself if I had one!) [[User:AddisonDM|AddisonDM]] 14:20, 22 February 2009 (EST)
==Definition vs. Connotation of Liberal==
I would be careful with this one. The definition of liberal is not an actual set of positions on specific issues, but rather a relatively vague political ideology of change from the status quo. If you consider the history of the word "liberal" and "liberalism" you will see that its connotation (aka the specific positions of those labeled liberals) has changed quite a bit. Back in the late 19th and early 20th century (in the times of Bismarck, Lenin, Mussolini etc) liberals were in fact those who opposed government involvement in the economy, something which is considered quite a liberal stance today. If you consider the full history of these terms, the strongest constant is that liberal was used to describe those who wished some departure from the established order, whatever that order may be. Thus I would state that the definition given by MW (although the personal liberty aspect could be challenged effectively) is about as accurate of a definition, without connotation, as I can think of. Something to consider.--[[User:AndrasK|AndrasK]] 14:41, 22 February 2009 (EST)