Changes

==Original meaning: 'Classical liberalism'==

==Original meaning: 'Classical liberalism'==

Interestingly, nowadays the word 'liberal' is used differently in different parts of the world, reflecting political debates over different types of freedom.  

Interestingly, nowadays the word 'liberal' is used differently in different parts of the world, reflecting political debates over different types of freedom.  

In the US today, 'liberal' is usually used to mean someone who is generally [[left-wing]] in his attitudes towards the government, establishment, and many other laws. In the postwar period, 'liberal' [[Democrat | Democrats]] fought for equal rights between races and sexes, and also about sexual freedom, which are all true liberal causes. At the same time, many Democrats supported government intervention in the economy and [[welfare state]] policies, which are '''not''' liberal policies in the sense of [[classical liberalism]] at all. Nonetheless, all of these [[left-wing]] policies became associated with the meaning of 'liberal' in the US today, even though they are close to the views of many [[social democratic]] parties in Europe.

In the US today, 'liberal' is usually used to mean someone who is generally [[left-wing]] in his attitudes towards the government, establishment, and many other laws. In the postwar period, 'liberal' [[Democrat | Democrats]] fought for equal rights between races and sexes, and also for sexual freedom, which are all true liberal causes. At the same time, many Democrats supported government intervention in the economy and [[welfare state]] policies, which are '''not''' liberal policies in the sense of [[classical liberalism]] at all. Nonetheless, all of these [[left-wing]] policies became associated with the meaning of 'liberal' in the US today, even though they are close to the views of many [[social democratic]] parties in Europe.

Many of the following views are held by Americans who consider themselves 'liberals':

Many of the following views are held by Americans who consider themselves 'liberals':

* reduction of the military

* reduction of the military

* opposition to armed intervention in other countries

* opposition to armed intervention in other countries

* opposition to current American foreign policy <ref>Stefaan Walgrave and Joris Verhulst, [http://nicomedia.math.upatras.gr/conf/CAWM2003/Papers/Verhulst.pdf The February 15 Worldwide Protests against a War in Iraq: An Empirical Test of Transnational Opportunities. Outline of a Research Programme](PDF). </ref> as one that advances human rights <ref>[http://www.forward.com/articles/the-%E2%80%98answer%E2%80%99-question-poses-difficult-choices/ "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals"] by Gal Beckerman, ''The Forward'', September 30, 2005. </ref><ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0118-03.htm ''Looming War Isn't About Chemical Warheads or Human Rights: It's About Oil''], Robert Fisk, Independent/UK, 18 January 2003. </ref> and democracy <ref>[http://www.un.int/usa/02_131.htm President Bush's address to the United Nations], United States Mission to the United Nations, Press Release #131(02), 12 September 2002.</ref>  

* opposition to current American foreign policy <ref>Stefaan Walgrave and Joris Verhulst, [http://nicomedia.math.upatras.gr/conf/CAWM2003/Papers/Verhulst.pdf The February 15 Worldwide Protests against a War in Iraq: An Empirical Test of Transnational Opportunities. Outline of a Research Programme](PDF). </ref> as one that advances human rights <ref>[http://www.forward.com/articles/the-%E2%80%98answer%E2%80%99-question-poses-difficult-choices/ "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals"] by Gal Beckerman, ''The Forward'', September 30, 2005. </ref><ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0118-03.htm ''Looming War Isn't About Chemical Warheads or Human Rights: It's About Oil''], Robert Fisk, Independent/UK, 18 January 2003. </ref> and democracy <ref>[http://www.un.int/usa/02_131.htm President Bush's address to the United Nations], United States Mission to the United Nations, Press Release #131(02), 12 September 2002.</ref>

==Liberalism in Europe today==

==Liberalism in Europe today==