Difference between revisions of "Liberal"
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* prohibiting prayer in school | * prohibiting prayer in school | ||
* distributing wealth from the rich to the poor | * distributing wealth from the rich to the poor | ||
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* same-sex marriage | * same-sex marriage | ||
* amnesty for illegal aliens | * amnesty for illegal aliens | ||
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* increased power for labor unions | * increased power for labor unions | ||
| − | Liberals typically align themselves with the Democratic Party in the United States, and the Labour Party in | + | Liberals typically align themselves with the Democratic Party in the United States, and the Labour Party in Great Britain.<ref>http://www.labour.org.uk/home</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> | ||
Revision as of 21:25, March 3, 2007
The term "liberal" comes from the aftermath of the French Revolution, where it meant someone who advocated more powerful elected assemblies.
"Liberal" today means the disfavoring of individual responsibility in favor of collectivism or egalitarianism. 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. Examples of liberal beliefs include:
- gun control
- taxpayer funding of abortion
- prohibiting prayer in school
- distributing wealth from the rich to the poor
- government programs to rehabilitate criminals
- same-sex marriage
- amnesty for illegal aliens
- teaching of evolution
- increased taxpayer funding of public school
- protection of obscure endangered species
- foreign treaties, especially for disarmament
- taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care
- increased power for labor unions
Liberals typically align themselves with the Democratic Party in the United States, and the Labour Party in Great Britain.[1]
An alternative definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":[2]
- Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...