Difference between revisions of "Liberal"
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*[[income redistribution]], with higher progressive taxation on those in the top 10% of earnings. | *[[income redistribution]], with higher progressive taxation on those in the top 10% of earnings. | ||
* 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> which advocates human rights <ref>[http://www.forward.com/articles/4039 "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals"] by Gal Beckerman, ''The Forward'', September 30, 2005. | * 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> which advocates human rights <ref>[http://www.forward.com/articles/4039 "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals"] by Gal Beckerman, ''The Forward'', September 30, 2005. | ||
| − | </ref> 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> but has recently fallen short in the implementation of these values. | + | </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> but has recently fallen short in the implementation of these values. |
Note, that ''liberal'' in the European context refers to moderate and center-right parties, often with a pro-business stance.<ref>http://www.alde.eu</ref> The same holds for many ''liberal'' parties throughout the world.<ref>http://www.liberal-international.org/</ref>. The US definition of liberal is much more similar to the politics of European [[socialist|socialist or social democratic]] parties.<ref>http://www.pes.org</ref>. | Note, that ''liberal'' in the European context refers to moderate and center-right parties, often with a pro-business stance.<ref>http://www.alde.eu</ref> The same holds for many ''liberal'' parties throughout the world.<ref>http://www.liberal-international.org/</ref>. The US definition of liberal is much more similar to the politics of European [[socialist|socialist or social democratic]] parties.<ref>http://www.pes.org</ref>. | ||
Revision as of 01:20, March 26, 2007
Liberal is a term used in US politics to describe a person who generally is left-wing in his attitudes towards the government, establishment, and many other laws. The term was first used in reference to a political opinion c. 1801 A.D., in the aftermath of the French Revolution, when it meant "tending in favor of freedom and democracy."[1]
The term liberal is used in the United States generally to characterize the following set of beliefs, although these may vary from person to person:
- in favor of gun control
- supporting a woman's right to choose pregnancy termination, i.e. abortion
- promoting secularism and the prohibition of organized prayer in school
- equal responsibilities for men and women, such as equal participation by men and women in the military
- government programs to rehabilitate criminals
- same-sex marriage
- increased taxpayer funding of public schools
- protection of natural resources and wilderness areas
- taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care
- increased power for labor unions
- disarmament treaties
- classical liberalism stood for a limited government role [2]
- private property and individual contracts form the basis of Classical liberal economic theory
- reduction of military expenses
- support of affirmative action
- government-sponsored education
- preference for a interpretation of the constitution as a "living Constitution" instead of an unchanging Constitution
- income redistribution, with higher progressive taxation on those in the top 10% of earnings.
- opposition to current American foreign policy [2] which advocates human rights [3] and democracy [4] but has recently fallen short in the implementation of these values.
Note, that liberal in the European context refers to moderate and center-right parties, often with a pro-business stance.[5] The same holds for many liberal parties throughout the world.[6]. The US definition of liberal is much more similar to the politics of European socialist or social democratic parties.[7].
One definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":[8]
- Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...
References
- ↑ Etymology [1]
- ↑ Stefaan Walgrave and Joris Verhulst, The February 15 Worldwide Protests against a War in Iraq: An Empirical Test of Transnational Opportunities. Outline of a Research Programme(PDF).
- ↑ "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals" by Gal Beckerman, The Forward, September 30, 2005.
- ↑ President Bush's address to the United Nations, United States Mission to the United Nations, Press Release #131(02), 12 September 2002.
- ↑ http://www.alde.eu
- ↑ http://www.liberal-international.org/
- ↑ http://www.pes.org
- ↑ Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal