Liberal

Liberal is a term used to describe a person who generally is 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.

"Liberal" today means the disfavoring of individual responsibility in favor of collectivism or egalitarianism. Liberals tend to prefer equality in result rather than surpression of minorities.

The term "liberal" is used often in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Some 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.

An alternative definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative or ignorant. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":

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

As the mindset of a liberal is not limited as much as the mindset of the conservatives, liberals are usually considered to be more open-minded. The knowledge and way of thinking of a liberal person usually does not end at the border of his own contry. The international thinking and acting effects the world wide wealth-fare positively.