Difference between revisions of "Liberal"
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| − | '''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" — 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''' 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" — at that time the liberal party was the party of individual political freedoms.<ref>Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=liberal]</ref> |
The term ''liberal'' is used in the United States to characterize the following set of beliefs: | The term ''liberal'' is used in the United States to characterize the following set of beliefs: | ||
* support of gun control | * support of gun control | ||
| − | * | + | * Supports a woman's right to choose if she wants an abortion |
| − | * prohibiting | + | * prohibiting prayer in school over the loud speaker(or teacher lead prayer) |
* equal rights for men and women, including participation by men and women in the military | * equal rights for men and women, including participation by men and women in the military | ||
| − | |||
* government programs to rehabilitate criminals | * government programs to rehabilitate criminals | ||
* same-sex marriage | * same-sex marriage | ||
* amnesty for illegal aliens | * amnesty for illegal aliens | ||
* teaching of evolution | * teaching of evolution | ||
| − | * increased taxpayer funding of public | + | * increased taxpayer funding of public school |
| − | * protection of | + | * protection of all of God's creation even if advocated by atheists |
* taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care | * taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care | ||
* increased power for labor unions | * increased power for labor unions | ||
* disarmament treaties | * disarmament treaties | ||
| − | * | + | * wants a limited government role </ref>[http://www.economyprofessor.com/economictheories/economic-liberalism.php]</ref> |
| − | * | + | * Private property and individual contracts form the basis of liberal economic theory </ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_theory_of_economics]</ref> |
* reduction of military expenses | * reduction of military expenses | ||
* support of affirmative action | * support of affirmative action | ||
| − | * government-sponsored education | + | * government-sponsored education |
* opposition to American foreign policy which advocates human rights <ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0118-03.htm ''Looming War Isn't About Chemical Warheads or Human Rights: It's About Oil''], Robert Fisk, Independent/UK, 18 January 2003. </ref> and democracy <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/iraq_strategy_nov2005.html National Strategy for Victory in Iraq], November 30, 2005. retrieved 22 March 2007.</ref> | * opposition to American foreign policy which advocates human rights <ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0118-03.htm ''Looming War Isn't About Chemical Warheads or Human Rights: It's About Oil''], Robert Fisk, Independent/UK, 18 January 2003. </ref> and democracy <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/iraq_strategy_nov2005.html National Strategy for Victory in Iraq], November 30, 2005. retrieved 22 March 2007.</ref> | ||
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| − | + | Liberals in the US typically align themselves with the [[Democratic Party]]. Note, that ''liberal'' in the European context refers to the so-called 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>. | |
One 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> | One 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 02:53, March 23, 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" — at that time the liberal party was the party of individual political freedoms.[1]
The term liberal is used in the United States to characterize the following set of beliefs:
- support of gun control
- Supports a woman's right to choose if she wants an abortion
- prohibiting prayer in school over the loud speaker(or teacher lead prayer)
- equal rights for men and women, including participation by men and women in the military
- government programs to rehabilitate criminals
- same-sex marriage
- amnesty for illegal aliens
- teaching of evolution
- increased taxpayer funding of public school
- protection of all of God's creation even if advocated by atheists
- taxpayer-funded rather than private medical care
- increased power for labor unions
- disarmament treaties
- wants a limited government role </ref>[2]</ref>
- Private property and individual contracts form the basis of liberal economic theory </ref>[3]</ref>
- reduction of military expenses
- support of affirmative action
- government-sponsored education
- opposition to American foreign policy which advocates human rights [2] and democracy [3]
Liberals in the US typically align themselves with the Democratic Party. Note, that liberal in the European context refers to the so-called moderate and center-right parties, often with a pro-business stance.[4] The same holds for many liberal parties throughout the world.[5]. The US definition of liberal is much more similar to the politics of European socialist or social democratic parties.[6].
One definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":[7]
- Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...
Another definition is a liberal is the opposite of a prodigal; where a liberal consumes resources on others, a prodigal consumes his own resources on himself.
References
- ↑ Etymology [1]
- ↑ Looming War Isn't About Chemical Warheads or Human Rights: It's About Oil, Robert Fisk, Independent/UK, 18 January 2003.
- ↑ National Strategy for Victory in Iraq, November 30, 2005. retrieved 22 March 2007.
- ↑ http://www.alde.eu
- ↑ http://www.liberal-international.org/
- ↑ http://www.pes.org
- ↑ Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal
