How far can one oppose liberalism in a liberal democracy?

Question

The United States was one of the first liberal democracies in the world. At what point in the opposition to liberalism do those opposers begin to subvert the foundation of that government?

FYi - A detailed explanation of Liberal Democracy at Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_democracy

Is anyone defending the classic definition of liberalism? Who? How do you know?

Answer 1

Not too much more I'm afraid. These folks want a king, a dictator or a one-party system.

You won't find anyone on the right here who knows what classical liberalism means, or what the enlightenment was, or anything about Athenian democracy or the Roman republic. They don't know how those things influenced the founders of our liberal democracy. They don't understand that the constitution was essentially a liberal document. These guys all think 'liberal' means "Stupid wimpy commie hippy anti-American" something or another. They probably aren't familiar with Joseph McCarthy or even Richard Nixon and Watergate and why their ways of thinking are not democratic.
I'd love to mount the defense you're looking for but I'm afraid it would be wasted effort on these folks. Anything more complicated than "Four legs good, two legs bad" just isn't going to make any headway. I'm willing to bet none of them will know what that references, either.

Answer 2

Not every citizen can burn their national flag in protest against the unsatifactory state of government that is in power and not faced some kind of legal consequences,this is probably the most unique thing about american democracy,being able to oppose anything you feel like opposing,but democracy is a b-itch when it not on your side,remember that being able to oppose doesn't mean implementing and realising it the way a person desired.

Too much democracy could actually lead to anarchy or semi or partial state of anarchy. Good policies may not be able to see fruits because of pork barrel benefits offer by politicians to sway voters.
If a government is suppose to take care of its pple like the way parents take care of their children,then perhaps popular consensus is the last thing to worried about because there are times when parents avoid giving into the demands of their child not because they can't afford to but they know better. Good policies often take a longer time to see results.

To reach a point where the foundation is violated is when a group that is opposing decides to use lethal force or criminal acts to stifle opposition voices against them. It always difficult to welcome changes for most pple just as it is also equally difficult those who advocate to foresee the ill effects of such changes in the far future but most would always prefer the easier way out even though it may not the right way.

Answer 3

How do you define "liberal"? It's important to note that while, at the time of its founding, the United States was a "liberal democracy," the word "liberal" meant something very, very different to the Founding Fathers than it does to most people today. It is possible to be in complete support of the "liberal democracy" while also being completely opposed to modern liberalism.

Answer 4

First, let us set the rcord straight, it was not founded as a liberal democracy. A Democracy yes, but there were no rights to vote for women, or even non land owners if I remember correctly. Slavery was still legal and African slaves did not even count as an entire human being.

The foundation of this country is seen in the Declaration of Independance and the preamble to the Constitution. I suggest you read them. It is true that our founders took great pains in trying to insure that individuals were not persecuted as the colonists had been.

I support many effort of the Democratic party, but more often so, I agree with the right. I am sick of the finger pointing from both sides. It is time to come together and agree/disagree on issues because of their substance, not because it is backed by the DNC or the GOP. What is next, remove in God We Trust from all legal Tender? Change the oath of office? Change the vow to truth in court? Edit the constitution and the Declaration of Independance?

IMHO, the foundation of this country is Judeo/Christian law. In the Declaration of Independance, Thomas Jefferson writes "We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are CREATED equal. That they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain unalienable rights." It does not say Catholic creator, or Anglican, Luthoran, or any other, but it does mention a higher power. Yet, in the present PC age, to apease Athiests and Agnostics who don't want God mentioned to them, our schools remove anything to do with Judeo/Christian religion.

We are losing our identity as a nation this way. I do not want to force my beliefs on anyone, but neither should we meekly submit to the petty mewlings of a few malcontents. If there exists a place where they can be happier, they are free to leave to go there. If they wish to TOLLERATE those of us who are believers, they are welcome to stay.

Answer 5

Leberalism no longer means what it used to. It used to mean political, social end economic freedom at an individual level. Now the "liberals" want to make your political, social and economic decisions for you. They are all for big government with hefty spending programs, spending your money and mine in the least effective manner. The goverment now can take your income, make you pay to live in your own house and track your financial movements. Read the provisions of the patriot act (truly a tortured acronym) and it will alarm you. The day will come when it will be hard to leave and take your possessions with you. Both Repubs and Dems are leftist oppressors.

Answer 6

fantastic question. Any bypass in the direction of quite methodical wondering in this position is probably a tremendous theory. i'm a liberal yet I outline liberals as those who pay lip service to protecting gay rights, womens' rights and non secular multiculturalism even as simultaeneously ignoring the actual shown actuality that Islam is on a collision route with those similar values and could smash those issues, given 0.5 a probability. Conservatives on the different hand are antagonistic to gay rights (except curiously the right to be alive) and have a tendency to have the balls to be certain and talk of Islam as no longer a probability free fuzzy bunny. both area are like good sized morons having an epic wrestling tournament with united states as their ring. Granted, it is style of an emotional evaluation.

Answer 7

Classical liberalism vs. pop-culture liberalism, BIG difference.

This is the best book I have ever read on the subject of the American historical account of liberalism. It doesn't bash anyone, or name-call, or any of that stuff, it is really a scholarly work. It's not a big thick book, but it's pages are dense and you will need to stop and think several times before moving on.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&isbn=0801484006&itm=1

Answer 8

It was also built on an idea that people should for the most part govern themselves. I oppose liberalism because it is a code word (now) for socialism which removes all incentive for doing a good job and robs its people of choice.

Answer 9

Uhhh... We're NOT a democracy, we're a republic. BIG difference. It's a lot easier to hijack a representative form of government as opposed to a "one man, one vote" direct form of government.

Answer 10

When the ideas of liberalism changed from self sacrifice for the good of all to the support of special interest groups.