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US liberal=European socialist
==Original meaning: 'Classical liberalism'==
==Original meaning: 'Classical liberalism'==
Trade unions and socialist parties often criticize politicians that promote lower taxes on business, or more flexible hiring and firing laws, by calling them 'liberals' or [[neoliberal | neoliberals]]. Thus, just like in the US, 'liberal' is often used as a term of abuse. But when someone is called 'liberal' in Europe, this is usually a way of calling them [[right-wing]], exactly the opposite of the meaning in the US.
Trade unions and socialist parties often criticize politicians that promote lower taxes on business, or more flexible hiring and firing laws, by calling them 'liberals' or [[neoliberal | neoliberals]]. Thus, just like in the US, 'liberal' is often used as a term of abuse. But when someone is called 'liberal' in Europe, this is usually a way of calling them [[right-wing]], exactly the opposite of the meaning in the US.
The US definition of liberal is much more similar to the politics of European [[socialist]] parties.<ref>[http://www.pes.org]</ref>.
==Alternative meanings of 'liberal'==
==Alternative meanings of 'liberal'==