Here you go. Liberalism: Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value.[1] Liberalism has its roots in the Western Enlightenment, but the term now encompasses a diversity of political thought.
Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, free public education, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected.[2] In modern society, liberals favor a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and an equal opportunity to succeed.[3]
Many modern liberals advocate a greater degree of government interference in the free market, often in the form of anti-discrimination laws, civil service examinations, universal education, and progressive taxation. This philosophy frequently extends to a belief that the government should provide for a degree of general welfare, including benefits for the unemployed, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick. Such publicly-funded initiatives and interferences in the market are rejected by modern advocates of classical liberalism, which emphasizes free private enterprise, individual property rights and freedom of contract; classical liberals hold that economic inequality, as arising naturally from competition in the free market, does not justify the violation of private property rights. However, modern advocates of classical liberalism do advocate a heavier taxation on the corporation, as opposed to the current trend of the burden of income tax resting on the shoulders of the individual worker, as did the early classical liberals.
Liberalism rejected many foundational assumptions which dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the Divine Right of Kings, hereditary status, and established religion. Fundamental human rights that all liberals support include the right to life, liberty, and property.
A broader use of the term liberalism is in the context of liberal democracy (see also constitutionalism). In this sense of the word, it refers to a democracy in which the powers of government are limited and the rights of citizens are legally defined; this applies to nearly all Western democracies, and therefore is not solely associated with liberal parties.
2006-11-04 12:58:48
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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The philosophies of the two cutting-side liberals AND cutting-side conservatives developed from classical liberalism. Kinda complicated to locate any exhibit royalists around recently. regardless of if, all 3 philosophies desire the rich. the famous liberal says that some band-help courses can handle the topics with capitalism as this is immediately. the famous conservative says that there is not any situation with capitalism. people who nevertheless adhere to classical liberalism say that what we've could be no longer capitalism, and look in the direction of a paranormal and mythical "unfastened marketplace" that never has existed and not in any respect will. greater than a number of the persons who think of they're socialists or communists immediately have regrettably customary many of the myths of capitalist society and are relatively helping cutting-side capitalist liberalism. the yankee and Italian Communist events are evoked (*even although to be honest the Italian CP is durn close to conservative). greater than a number of the persons who think of they're helping classical liberalism, or libertarianism as this is named immediately, are relatively basically conservatives with unorthodox tastes in intercourse or chemical entertainment. greater than a number of the persons who think of they're helping conservatism are basically being utilized via the extremely-good. All 3 philosophies, classical liberalism, cutting-side liberalism, or cutting-side conservatism, are unrealistic, according to an ahistorical standpoint -- and are basically undeniable incorrect. .
2016-10-15 09:32:59
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answer #2
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answered by lithgow 4
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Liberalism generally means generous to all. Many people have a problem with the monetary aspects of true liberalism because it appears to border on socialism - that the government would take your money and use it to take care of everybody equally as the government sees fit.
Many believe that a liberal (excess) taxation would ultimately under-mind individuality and people would lose the motivation to succeed and make something special of themselves and as a result society would suffer.
Too much liberalism, just as too much conservatism, is not good.
2006-11-05 02:08:59
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answer #3
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answered by mecasa 4
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Liberalism is the theory that everyone should be dependent on the government. That all monies should be shared equally by all the common citizens and only the politicians can be rich. Liberalism is the belief that there is no right or wrong. Liberalism believes law breakers have more rights than victims. Liberalism believes that all the resources of the country should be shared by the entire world. Liberalism is the belief that no matter what cruelty another extends to other citizens the U.S. should protect the offenders with all the resources of our laws. Liberalism believes that any lie will justify propagating their agenda. Liberalism believes that our enemies should be protected from surveillance so we can protect their freedom of privacy, thus plotting against us with no restraint. Liberalism is totally lacking in common sense.
2006-11-04 13:05:46
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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In short, I find that conservatives make God their government, while liberals make government their God.
The conservative approach of respecting institutional authority provides more stability, while the liberal approach of questioning authority and pushing for progress is less stable but necessary for change and development. So a balance is needed between both to maintain peace and order while due process is pursued.
Because liberals tend to emphasize individual choice and responsibility in equal relation to the global community and environment, this decentralizes power from a central God authority. Conservatives who believe in a centralized higher authority do not rely on regulating everyone else to act for the common good, but trust God to coordinate all that. Liberals who do not share that faith, and do not have a strong church community to establish the same sense of security thus turn to the government to provide this authority. So the two groups tend to fight depending on who is in charge of government. If Conservatives are in charge, the Conservatives feel they are represented by government, while Liberals will feel they have to work to protect their interests and values from government infringement by the opposition. However, since Conservatives tend to have a stronger support structure through their church affiliations and other institutions, it seems the Liberals struggle more to obtain the same sense of security and establishment.
The freeminded approach of analyzing situations "relatively" to the individual keeps the liberal philosophy more open and less fixed in structure, so they tend to come across as arguing from the viewpoint of the oppressed victim struggling against the power of collective institutions. In truth, justice depends on a healthy balance between individual freedom and collective peace and security in order for the world to live in harmony.
I think the biggest difference between liberal and conservative is where you are focusing your attention. Everyone I know seems to be liberal in some areas and conservative in others. I think the ideal is to develop the social compassion of a liberal, the business management of a conservative, and the diplomacy of a moderate so we can all get along no matter where we stand.
2006-11-04 17:48:16
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answer #5
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answered by emilynghiem 5
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Liberalism, a way to use your knowledge, political, financial and spiritual power, for the good of others that might be bonded by differences made by a system not allowing differences be accepted or at least knowledge that not all feel, think or act the in like manner.
2006-11-04 13:04:55
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answer #6
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answered by eseven57 2
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The "old" Liberals are the new Libertarians, the new Liberals are the old Socialists, and the new Socialists are the old Communists, and the new Communists are called Greens. Originally "Liberal" meant taking "liberties" with interpretation of the law or constitution or morality, while "Conservative" meant sticking with tried and true traditions. Now a "liberal" is, as George Will put it: "Someone who doesn't care what you do, as long as you are FORCED to do it."
2006-11-04 13:01:57
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Its doing what is best for the country in the way that is fair to the most people. Its looking after the little people..... not handouts, as conservatives would love you to believe. Liberals give people the fishing pole....conservatives take the fishing pole away and say its your fault you don't have a fishing pole.
2006-11-04 13:02:23
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answer #8
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answered by robinallsup 3
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It's just another "dirty" word used to dismiss free thinkers. There are lot of people out there that are overly proud of running with the herd and letting all of us bear the consequences of their stupidity.
2006-11-04 13:00:52
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answer #9
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answered by elge13 3
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Liberalism is caring about others vs. caring about self only. The Jesus thing, as Bush Sr. might have put it.
The name "conservative" says it all. --It's about keeping what you have and angrily daring the world to make you share.
2006-11-04 12:57:05
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answer #10
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answered by martino 5
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