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==Liberalism in Europe today==

==Liberalism in Europe today==

In Europe, on the other hand, parties that promote economic and business freedom are often called 'liberal' by their opponents. Trade unions and socialist parties often criticize politicians that promote lower taxes on business, or more flexible hiring and firing laws, by calling them 'liberals' or [[neoliberal | neoliberals]]. Thus, just like in the US, 'liberal' is often used as a term of abuse. But when someone is called 'liberal' in Europe, this is usually a way of calling them [[right-wing]], exactly the opposite of the meaning in the US.

In Europe, on the other hand, parties that call themselves ''liberal'' are moderate to centre-right, promote typically economic and business freedom, and combine this sometimes with a stance against foreign immigration. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe<ref>http://www.alde.eu</ref> is an organization that represents most ''liberal'' parties from European countries. Similar policies are promoted by many ''liberal'' parties throughout the world.<ref>http://www.liberal-international.org/</ref>, such as the Liberal Party of Australia[http://www.liberal.org.au/].

The few parties in Europe that actually call themselves 'liberal', such as the German Free Democratic Party, or the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe<ref>http://www.alde.eu</ref>, are usually pro-business parties that support [[classical liberal]] policies in favor of all kinds of freedom.

Trade unions and socialist parties often criticize politicians that promote lower taxes on business, or more flexible hiring and firing laws, by calling them 'liberals' or [[neoliberal | neoliberals]]. Thus, just like in the US, 'liberal' is often used as a term of abuse. But when someone is called 'liberal' in Europe, this is usually a way of calling them [[right-wing]], exactly the opposite of the meaning in the US.

==Alternative meanings of 'liberal'==

==Alternative meanings of 'liberal'==