What is Liberalism?

Answer 1

The ability to take any concept and spin it to make other people believe lies, untruths and falsehoods.

Answer 2

Without getting into too much political & legal philosophy, it's often presented this way:

Both conservatism and liberalism think that people should live 'a good life'. But they differ on what the definition of the word 'good' is. Conservatives think that 'good' means certain, pre-prescribed things universally, such as family values, a ban on drug use, in some cases subscription to a particular religious view, etc. So they are more paternalistic and more involved in the lives of individuals. Liberals, on the other hand, believe that 'good' is whatever an individual chooses for themselves (and that does not harm others), so that there is no particular type of lifestyle that is universally good for everyone. In Liberalism, it's the freedom to make your own choices that makes life good. In Conservatism, it's guiding people to particular 'good' choices that makes life good - conservatives want to protect people from making what they understand to be bad choices. Both liberals and conservatives, however, have in essence the same starting point, the idea that people should be happy and good, but different ways of understanding how that will come about.

This is often why liberals, for example, will believe in rights for homosexuals, will be pro-choice, and will be religiously tolerant (or in some cases even shun religion, because religion is a set of pre-determined rules and choices, which may be in conflict with actual liberalism because following a certain religion is a choice within itself). And conservatives on the other hand may think that a particular kind of family is good: one with two parents of the opposite sex that are married, for example, because this is an 'ideally good' situation.

But really there are a thousand different types of 'liberalism', and it's very hard to say exactly what it is. If you are curious, I'd suggest reading some writing by John Stuart Mill, Isaiah Berlin, and Ronald Dworkin as starting points.

Answer 3

Does anyone here realize that a communist government can also be, and commonly is, reffered to as an "ultra-conservative" government? By the way, Communism is a type of economy, like Capitalism, which I, as a liberal, happen to support. It makes me sad to see that people's ignorance has escalated so.

Answer 4

Those who believe in tolerance of others, acceptance of new (and possibly radical) ideas and those who believe in reform of old institutions may be described as liberals. Conservatives however like to think all liberals 'hate america', are reactionaries without any positive ideas and seek to destroy society through subversive means. Conservatives consistently confuse liberals and socialists. Liberals do NOT seek higher taxes and better welfare by definition - those people are socialists. However, many socialists ARE liberals, and vice versa. Painting all non-conservatives with the same brush is a very blind thing to do.

Answer 5

Here's your answer:
"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, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports 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."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism

Answer 6

Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value. Liberalism has its roots in the Western Age of Enlightenment, but the term has taken on different meanings in different time periods (for example now in the United States generally it means new liberalism while in the rest of the world has the meaning of classical liberalism ).

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, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. 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.

Many new 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.

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.

Answer 7

Liberalism is the belief that no one is responsible for their own actions. Liberals believe that the only people that don't deserve what they've earned are those that have worked for it. They believe that people are inherently incapable of taking care of themselves and that all facets of life need government oversight.

Answer 8

Just the opposite of conservatism. Liberals believe that everyone should do things their way and everyone except movie stars should make the same amount of money.

Answer 9

liberalism is simply when conservatives shove their stupid opinions down everyone's throat.

Answer 10

Social Justice

Meaning leaving the individual alone to make their own choices in their personal lives.

Additionally, that the government has a duty to protect and provide for it's citizens at the cost of those who benefit most from the society.