Difference between revisions of "Liberal"

Revision as of 02:21, March 8, 2007

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. ^[1]

"Liberal" today means the disfavoring of individual responsibility in favor of collectivism or egalitarianism. Liberals tend to prefer equality in result rather than increased opportunities that can result in unequal results.

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
• environmental protection
• increased wealth for the underclass

Liberals typically align themselves with the Democratic Party in the United States, and the Labour Party in Great Britain.^[2]

An alternative definition of liberal is anything that is not conservative. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary includes this definition of "liberal":^[3]

1. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas 2. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded ...

References

1. ↑ Etymology [1]
2. ↑ http://www.labour.org.uk/home
3. ↑ Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liberal