Difference between revisions of "Liberal"
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| − | The term | + | '''Liberal''' is a term used to describe a person who is generally left-wing in their 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"—at that time the liberal party was the party of individual political freedoms. <ref>Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=liberal]</ref> |
"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. | "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. | ||
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* taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care | * taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care | ||
* increased power for labor unions | * increased power for labor unions | ||
| − | * | + | * a more talkative approach to dangerous nations/militant groups, rather than violence |
| − | * teaching school kids | + | * teaching school kids scientific rather than traditional [[Christian]] principles (such as [[evolution]]) |
| − | * | + | * less strict laws concerning censorship in the media |
| − | + | ||
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> | 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> | ||
Revision as of 01:13, March 8, 2007
Liberal is a term used to describe a person who is generally left-wing in their 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"—at that time the liberal party was the party of individual political freedoms. [1]
"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 endangered species
- foreign treaties, especially for disarmament
- taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care
- increased power for labor unions
- a more talkative approach to dangerous nations/militant groups, rather than violence
- teaching school kids scientific rather than traditional Christian principles (such as evolution)
- less strict laws concerning censorship in the media
Liberals typically align themselves with the Democratic Party in the United States, and the Labour Party in Great Britain.[2]
An alternative definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":[3]
- Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...
References
- ↑ Etymology [1]
- ↑ http://www.labour.org.uk/home
- ↑ Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal
