Difference between revisions of "Liberal"
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* [[disarmament treaties]] | * [[disarmament treaties]] | ||
* Classical liberalism stood for a limited government role [http://www.economyprofessor.com/economictheories/economic-liberalism.php] | * Classical liberalism stood for a limited government role [http://www.economyprofessor.com/economictheories/economic-liberalism.php] | ||
| − | * Private property and individual contracts form the basis of Classical liberal economic theory | + | * Private property and individual contracts form the basis of Classical liberal economic theory |
* reduction of military expenses | * reduction of military expenses | ||
* support of [[affirmative action]] | * support of [[affirmative action]] | ||
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* preference for a interpretation of the constitution as a "[[living Constitution]]" instead of an unchanging Constitution | * 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. | *[[Income redistribution]], with higher progressive taxation on those in the top 10% of earnings. | ||
| − | * Opposition to American foreign policy | + | * 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> 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> and nation building |
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 09:36, March 25, 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 to generally characterize the following set of beliefs:
- In favor of gun control
- Supports a woman's right to choose pregnancy termination, i.e. abortion
- prohibiting 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 American foreign policy which advocates human rights [2] democracy [3] and nation building
Note, that liberal in the European context refers to 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