Why are liberals automatically associated with the Democratic Party?

Question

On these forums, I constantly notice that whenever liberals are mentioned/ridiculed, a Democrat is always brought up, like Clinton, Kerry, or Dean. However, just because someone is liberal does not mean that they support the Democratic Party, or any party in particular.

I am personally liberal, but I quite dislike the Democrats. I think both of the parties in our system are corrupt, and both are contributing to the problems in this country, for various reasons.

So, what's the deal? Is everyone just making wild assumptions, or do they not know that liberal is different from Democrat? I really don't appreciate being lumped in with that party.

Answer 1

Democrats are interchangeable with liberals to many people because those you mention (Clinton, Kerry, Dean, etc.) are liberal Democrats - they're both. Most Democrats are liberal, and most Republicans are conservative.

Unfortunately, with the two main parties, it's either black or white - on or off - all or nothing - liberal/Democrat or conservative/Republican.

Answer 2

Because for the most part, Democrats have driven away every conservative that were ever in the party. Since the retirement of Zell Miller, has anybody heard of a conservative Democrat anymore? Ergo - they have become liberals. And since aside from the big 2 parties, there's only a smattering of people, liberals are generally considered Dems, or RINOs (Republicans In Name Only).

There are a number of liberal Republicans - Chaffee, Snowe, Spectre (or is that Smersh?), etc but some of them vote more in line with the Democrats than the Reps.

I don't think this nation has ever had such a deep philosophical divide between the parties as it does now. I do not believe this divide is beneficial in the long run.

Answer 3

I think Toast is making a valid point here. While liberals do control the Democratic Party, not all liberals are democrats. You have the Ralph Nader Green Party types for instance.

Back in the 20’s and 30’s when the liberals took over the Democratic Party, they came primarily from the Communist Party, American Labor party and Socialist Party. These organizations and there descendants are still around.

Answer 4

There was a time when the Republicans (A. Lincoln) were the more progressive party. There was a time when democrats controlled the south and many supported segregation. Things change. But generally speaking these days, the dems look to the left much more than the repub's. If you are talking to someone who is not well versed in politics, they will often erroneously associate all liberals with Democrats.

Answer 5

In our two-party system, to be a liberal and not vote Democrat is kind of silly. The Democrats are the only liberal party with any shot at winning elections...of course, that's something of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I am liberal as well, though not necessarily a Democrat, but come elections, I vote Democrat because anything else is just a wasted vote, unfortunately. So as far as pratical considerations of politics go, I think liberal must equal Democrat.

Answer 6

Most Democrats are liberal, most Republicans are conservative. Everyone needs to put people in categories to make sense of the world, so they do that according to what is most likely the case.

It happens with other things too. If you are Asian and living in Silicon Valley people think you're a computer programmer. If you are tall and black people think you play basketball.

Yes, it's annoying but it happens with everything. It's just the way people think.

I've actually met people who get visibly distressed when they are unable to place you in a category. They say stupid things like "What???? You're liberal and not a Democrat? What do you mean?????"

Answer 7

Most people who describe themselves as Liberal (at least in my experience) align themselves with the Democrat party. Conversely most people who would classify themselves as Conservative will side with the Republican party. I don't always agree with the Republican party but they seem to get it right more often than the Democrats.

Answer 8

The term liberal has changed with time. it used to mean somebody who believed in personal freedom , socioeconomc self determination and minimal government interference in citizens' lives. Now the term refers to do-gooder policies that involve spending somebody else's (usually the taxpayers' ) money by a bungling government. the democrats are slightly further down that path, but both parties suck.

Answer 9

Liberal views are traditionally associated with the Democrats and Conservative with the Republicans.

Answer 10

you're acceptable on your definition of "liberal". i ought to upload to that authentic liberals help constrained and constrained authorities, and optimal human being freedom in keeping with an orderly society. Our Founding Fathers were authentic liberals. in the present day the Democrat party stands for the alternative of those strong concepts.