Liberal or Socialist? Which label would you feel most connected with?

Question

Which would you personally prefer to be called; Liberal or Socialist? Why?

The local political spectrum may play a part in your answer, so, if it's relevent, say where you are writing about too. Thanks.

Answer 1

I would rather be called a Socialist Liberal. That term describes both my beliefs in world peace, free speech, a woman's right to choose (liberal) and my beliefs in socialized medicine, government programs for the under privileged, giving money to under developed countries in order to support their peoples, etc (socialism).

Though socialism is associated with liberalism (as well it should be because it would be difficult to find a conservative in favor of socialism) the do don't necessarily have the same meanings, one of them is about an attachment to progressive values (liberalism), and the other is a strongly adhered to economic strategy.

Peace. Love. Unity. Tim D

Answer 2

Fat Bastard's right. Liberals are more right-leaning than socialists, but more left leaning than conservatives. I don't know what's to the right of conservativism on the political spectrum. However, America in general is more conservative than a lot of the western world and as such, "liberal" is often a dirty word to some people but it's not nearly as bad as socialism (which people associate with communism). Therefore, I would chose to be called liberal.

Answer 3

Liberal, socialist, democrat, it's all about the same thing. I consider myself a democrat, I live in Southern Illinois in the Bible belt though, so a lot of democrats in this area have some conservative views. I was told I make a terrible Liberal because I believe in God, now isn't that just ridiculous. I am kind of a peace loving hippy type of Liberal. live and let dye kind of philosophy, oh wait that's a song, I guess it's supposed to be live and let live, no, I say live and let dye.

Answer 4

I don't think labeling can really accurately descirbe an individual, whether it is political or something else. Overarching terms like freedom, liberal, conservative, justice mean different things to different people.

Just look at how many supposedly reasonable debates between two groups of people become name-calling bashfests in the society because of labeling, and you'll get what I mean.

Answer 5

i'm a reality seeker to assert I take quicker or later at a time. i attempt to make good selections on a each and each day foundation and help others. i attempt to dismiss such labels yet i have self assurance i'm both truly a conservative or a libertarian. truly although i have self assurance to adhere to stability in each thing I do, it extremely works the ideal. I actual have had help from the authorities a lot in my existence. I have self assurance to provide my ideal. I make sensible my toddlers provide their ideal so there aren't any excuses for them and their destiny. I paintings with what i'm given and that i attempt now to not whinge a lot.

Answer 6

Liberal, because I am left but opposed to socialism, not in theory, but in the way it is usually acted out, as it usually becomes a fascism before too long, just check Cuba and China... But to quote JFK
What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then … we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."

- John F. Kennedy, September 14, 1960

Answer 7

I don't think you Americans know what socialism is. You've been brainwashed to believe it's something evil. I'm a socialist because I believe in the teachings of Christ about brotherly love and caring for one's fellow human beings, social justice and peace on earth. Generosity and fairness, not selfishness and greed.

Answer 8

If I had to pick between the lesser of those two evils, I'd have to say liberal because its meaning has changed over time, and technically, I am more "liberal" than "socialist".

Answer 9

Neither. Remember that Socialism is a continum, and Liberals tend to want more of it than Conservatives, but only extreme Conservatives are totally against all forms of Socialism.

Answer 10

These labels are nothing more than that. Its what they believe and stand for that defines them. The current democratic party bares more resemblance to extreme socialistism than anything else. Bare in mind that liberalism meant something very different when it was coined than it does now.
Even a passing exam of democratic party reveals they are for terrorism, radical enviromentalism, more government control less personal freedoms higher taxation. This all shows them to be more socialist to communist than anything else.