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==Original meaning: 'Classical liberalism'==

==Original meaning: 'Classical liberalism'==

'''Liberal''', in its secular meaning, describes someone who favors personal [[freedom]] in all its forms<ref>Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=liberal]</ref>, as long as it does not conflict with the freedom of others ('liber' means freedom in Latin). This reinterpretation of liberalism arose during the [[Enlightenment]], and became influential throught the [[American Revolution]] and [[French Revolution]], and was also spread in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the [[classical economists]]<ref>[http://www.economyprofessor.com/economictheories/economic-liberalism.php]</ref>. The original philosophy of liberalism (now sometimes called [[classical liberalism]], or [[libertarianism]] in the US), favors many forms of freedom, such as:

As a political term, the original meaning of '''Liberal''' describes someone who favors personal [[freedom]] in all its forms<ref>Etymology [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=liberal]</ref>, as long as it does not conflict with the freedom of others ('liber' means freedom in Latin). This interpretation of liberalism arose during the [[Enlightenment]], and became influential throught the [[American Revolution]] and [[French Revolution]], and was also spread in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the [[classical economists]]<ref>[http://www.economyprofessor.com/economictheories/economic-liberalism.php]</ref>. The original philosophy of liberalism (now sometimes called [[classical liberalism]], or [[libertarianism]] in the US), favors many forms of freedom, such as:

*Freedom of speech

*Freedom of speech

*Freedom to work as one chooses

*Freedom to work as one chooses

*Freedom to enter into economic contracts

*Freedom to enter into economic contracts

*Sexual freedom

*Sexual freedom

*Equal rights independent of race or sex

*Equal rights independent of race or sex

Interestingly, nowadays the word 'liberal' is used differently in different parts of the world, reflecting political debates over different types of freedom.  

Interestingly, nowadays the word 'liberal' is used differently in different parts of the world, reflecting political debates over different types of freedom.  

Modern liberalism, based upon the inherent conjuctures of its fluid reasoning, can mean different things at different times. The following views are generally, though not always, supported by American liberals today: In the postwar period, 'liberal' [[Democrat | Democrats]] fought for equal rights between races and sexes, and also for sexual freedom, which are all true liberal causes. At the same time, many Democrats supported government intervention in the economy and [[welfare state]] policies, which are '''not''' liberal policies in the sense of [[classical liberalism]]. Nonetheless, all of these [[left-wing]] policies became associated with the meaning of 'liberal' in the US today, even though they are close to the views of many [[social democratic]] parties in Europe.

In the postwar period, 'liberal' [[Democrat | Democrats]] fought for equal rights between races and sexes, and also for sexual freedom, which are all true liberal causes. At the same time, many Democrats supported government intervention in the economy and [[welfare state]] policies, which are '''not''' liberal policies in the sense of [[classical liberalism]]. Nonetheless, all of these [[leftist | left-wing]] policies became associated with the meaning of 'liberal' in the US today, even though they are close to the views of many [[social democracy | social democratic]] parties in Europe.

Many of the following views are held by Americans who consider themselves 'liberals':

Many of the following views are held by Americans who consider themselves 'liberals':

==Liberalism in Europe today==

==Liberalism in Europe today==

In Europe, on the other hand, parties that call themselves ''liberal'' are moderate to centre-right, promote typically economic and business freedom, and combine this sometimes with a stance against foreign immigration. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe<ref>http://www.alde.eu</ref> is an organization that represents most ''liberal'' parties from European countries. Similar policies are promoted by many ''liberal'' parties throughout the world.<ref>http://www.liberal-international.org/</ref>, such as the Liberal Party of Australia[http://www.liberal.org.au/].

In Europe, on the other hand, parties that call themselves ''liberal'' are moderate to centre-right, promote typically economic and business freedom. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe<ref>http://www.alde.eu</ref> is an organization that represents most ''liberal'' parties from European countries. Similar policies are promoted by many ''liberal'' parties throughout the world.<ref>http://www.liberal-international.org/</ref>, such as the Liberal Party of Australia[http://www.liberal.org.au/].

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 [[rightist | right-wing]], exactly the opposite of the meaning in the US.

In fact, the US meaning of liberal is more similar to the politics of European [[socialist]] or [[social democracy | social democratic]] parties.<ref>[http://www.pes.org]</ref>.

==Alternative meanings of 'liberal'==

==Alternative meanings of 'liberal'==

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>   

* Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...

* Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas ...

 

Other definitions from the same source include:

Other definitions from the same source include:

* Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.

* Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.