View source for Leftist v. liberal

'''Leftist''' and '''liberal''' are similar, but not identical, terms to describe categories of anti-[[conservative]]s.

The term '''leftist''' connotes more aggression and more of a doctrinal motivation, such as a [[socialist]] or [[communist]].

In contrast, the term '''liberal''' is a broader term meaning almost anyone who is opposed to [[conservatism]].  The number of liberals is larger than the number of leftists.

Among candidates for the [[Presidential Election 2020]], [[Joe Biden]] is a [[liberal]] while [[Elizabeth Warren]] is a leftist.

On a straight-line modeling of political views, a "liberal" would include center-left while the term "leftist" connotes far-left.

[[Conservative]] commentator Dennis Prager explains the difference – or what used to be the difference – with respect to [[nationalism]] as follows:
{{cquote|Nationalism: Liberals deeply believed in the nation-state, whether their nation was the United States, Great Britain, or France.

The left has always opposed nationalism because leftism is rooted in class solidarity, not national solidarity. The left has contempt for nationalism, seeing in it intellectual and moral primitivism at best, and the road to fascism at worst.<ref>https://www.dailysignal.com/2017/09/12/leftism-not-liberalism-differences/</ref>}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:Leftism]]