Thread: Please define "liberal"

Yeah, I still wonder about this, too.
I'm used to being called a "Liberal" by Americans, but noone has come up with a definition.

From an online dictionary (don't have the link, saved it ages ago):
"LIBERALS usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy.
They generally support a government-funded "safety net" to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles."

It's easy:

Liberals are always right and Conservatives are always wrong.

Now, ask Storekeeper or Shopkeeper (or whatever it is) what his opinion is....

Ther American term:

The word "liberal" is an old and outdated political term that may have been used in America decades ago.

It is a misnomer, today.

Neo-Liberalism is the prevailing philosophy and policy of the American Democratic and Republican parties.

Originally Posted by Milkman

Neo-Liberalism is the prevailing philosophy and policy of the American Democratic and Republican parties.

Well, in that case, who's right and who's wrong?

Originally Posted by buadhai

Originally Posted by Milkman

Neo-Liberalism is the prevailing philosophy and policy of the American Democratic and Republican parties.

Well, in that case, who's right and who's wrong?

The question today is:

Is Neo-Liberalism right?

Is Neo-Liberalism, OK?

Is Neo-Liberalism wrong?


That all depends on who you are, how old you are, and what your job is, perhaps, in the U.S.

That 'misnomer', "Liberal" is frequently used on various political boards, there have been attempts for more appropriate terms, such as "progressive".

Another question is, what is "Neo-Liberalism" and is it of any importance today and for the future, or has the interest in it peaked already?

And I thought Neo-Liberalism was a political stance promoting a 'free-market' economy with minimal state interference, sort of the opposite of socialism?

Originally Posted by stroller

And I thought Neo-Liberalism was a political stance promoting a 'free-market' economy with minimal state interference, sort of the opposite of socialism?

This is the European meaning. Over there, "liberals" are "free-market" apologists. Closer to libertarians in the US. Liberatarians are the neo-facists, utilitarian of this century. If you see one, shoot him.

Originally Posted by stroller

And I thought Neo-Liberalism was a political stance promoting a 'free-market' economy with minimal state interference, sort of the opposite of socialism?

Neo-Liberalism specifically advocates a 'free-market' economy to the degree that the laws and regualations and trade agreements benefit certain people.

Originally Posted by mad_dog

'liberal' makes me thing of Kant or Adam Smith and neoliberal makes me think of Keohane and Nye and Liberal makes me think of old Paddy A shagging his secretary. I studied a fair bit of poltics at university but I can't for the life of me think of way to define its meaning in the way Americans use it
i.e


Trotskitie world revolution socialists - liberal
ACLU members - liberal puffs
people who read Readers' Digest - pinko liberals
the French- Euro geek liberals

This is a bit tongue in cheek.. But seriously how can one term be used to describe such a range of people and opinions?

reverse your definitions to read:

Trotskitie world revolution socialists - pinko liberals
ACLU members - liberal puffs
people who read Readers' Digest - liberals
the Scandanavians - Euro viking liberals

Apologies for the U.S. bias (Oz and other countries Liberal parties tend to be right of say, labor, etc.

But in the U.S.:

Trotskitie world revolution socialists - liberal

Socialists are not liberals; liberals are capitalists who are very close to the center of the political sepctrum.

ACLU members - liberal puffs

There are a good number of "consrvatives" supporting the ACLU now.

people who read Readers' Digest - pinko liberals

Readers' Digest is a very conservative publication.

the French- Euro geek liberals

How so?


The "Liberal" is very different in OZ, other countries and the U.S.


It's just another label, and it's a broad general label. It's alos a label people use because they don't follow politics closely. Classification makes it easier.

Modern Liberalism is a behavioral term that describes an enfeebled, hedonistic culture that looks upon personal achievement with disdain. Liberals have no problem with illegitimate births, promiscuous sex, abortions, homosexuality and hold organized religion in contempt. Liberals care more about their individual opinions and personal gratification than the law of society. Liberalism is responsible for social rot and decadence.

Who really doesn't understand what liberalism means ? Those in this forum who like being tagged as liberals that's who ... in fact, classical liberalism is really what modern conservatives like myself represent. Modern liberalism is a pathological disease that favors dissolution of any and all moral values.

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

Modern Liberalism is a behavioral term that describes an enfeebled, hedonistic culture that looks upon personal achievement with disdain. Liberals have no problem with illegitimate births, promiscuous sex, abortions, homosexuality and hold organized religion in contempt. Liberals care more about their individual opinions and personal gratification than the law of society. Liberalism is responsible for social rot and decadence.

This sounds pretty much like the conservatives these days without the abortion part.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

Modern Liberalism is a behavioral term that describes an enfeebled, hedonistic culture that looks upon personal achievement with disdain. Liberals have no problem with illegitimate births, promiscuous sex, abortions, homosexuality and hold organized religion in contempt. Liberals care more about their individual opinions and personal gratification than the law of society. Liberalism is responsible for social rot and decadence.

This sounds pretty much like the conservatives these days without the abortion part.

Wht kind of goofball comment is that ? You aren't making any sense ... as usual.

^ try a brain and it will

You're insane. That's absolutely clear to me.

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

Modern Liberalism is a behavioral term that describes an enfeebled, hedonistic culture that looks upon personal achievement with disdain. Liberals have no problem with illegitimate births, promiscuous sex, abortions, homosexuality and hold organized religion in contempt. Liberals care more about their individual opinions and personal gratification than the law of society. Liberalism is responsible for social rot and decadence.

100% incorrect.

Liberalism to a degree can be traced back to the founding fathers of the U.S.

Whig --> Federalist --> Republican.


American society was founded, and still exists under the foundations of "liberalism."

America is a "liberal democracy."

Who really doesn't understand what liberalism means ? Those in this forum who like being tagged as liberals that's who ... in fact, classical liberalism is really what modern conservatives like myself represent. Modern liberalism is a pathological disease that favors dissolution of any and all moral values.

You are very poorly read.

A wanna-be Ann Coulter.

Read more books; watch less TV.

Great thread.

This always confuses the hell out of me cause in Oz our "Liberal" party is more akin to the U.S. republicans ie Conservative.

Whats even more confusing is "liberal" & "libretarian" are at opposite ends of the political spectrum.

libertarian is the new utilitarian facism. The early libertarians were OK but they got taken over by the utilitarian aka facists.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

libertarian is the new utilitarian facism. The early libertarians were OK but they got taken over by the utilitarian aka facists.

Libertarians are technically Laissez-faire and believe in extremely limited government.

Fascism needs the state - government and corporations - at the benefit of society over the individual.

The American Libertarian party focuses in individuality and less state.

I have been voting Libertarian since 1996.

Originally Posted by Milkman

You are very poorly read.

A wanna-be Ann Coulter.

Read more books; watch less TV.

Whatever you say ... books: over 20 in last 18 months and all of a scholarly nature. TV: Don't have time for such foolishness. Recommend you start adhering to your own advice. A little less do as I say and not as I do flounder BS might do.