Define liberal?

Question

This word gets used a lot as a derogatory term, but it has lots of meanings which don't sound all that bad. Can someone give a sincere definition of the word based on how it is in U.S. political rhetoric when used as a form of namecalling?

I know the textbook and dictionary definitions of liberal and liberalism. I want to know what it means when a right-wing talk show host uses it, because in that case it is either 1) a non-standard definition or 2) a vague slur that has no specific definition. I'm giving people that use it in that way the benefit of the doubt that they aren't using a vague, meaningless word, so I want to know what it means specifically when used in this manner.

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

A liberal thinks it is a legimate role of government is to help citizens with such things as education aid, food stamps, job training, medical care, support for unions, social security and many other types of help.

The neocons on the other hand believe in social Darwinism, i.e., survival of the fitest. This means that they believe the government should help no one and should defer to the priviledged classes, mainly the rich, who they consider to be worthy citizens proved by their ability to make money.

The country generally does better economically under liberal governents. The economy does worse under conservative governments because, contrary to common belief, conservatives are not business friendly, they are CEO friendly because of the money these people can contribute. More often than not CEOs are actually bad for their own companies and those companies do not thrive if CEOs feel no constraints from government.

Answer 3

Liberalism refers to a broad array of related doctrines, ideologies, philosophical views, and political traditions which hold that individual liberty is the primary political value.[1] Liberalism has its roots in the Western Age of Enlightenment, but the term has taken on different meanings in different time periods.

Answer 4

I would guess that when a right-wing talk show host uses the term 'liberal' it is a derogatory expression for those who stand for everything they despise: people who believe in state help for the poor, taxation to fund welfare, people who oppose the war, people who talk about and support human rights, women's rights, rights of minorities, people who are critical of US foreign policy, people who believe that the government isn't doing enough at home to support minorities and disadvantaged groups, people who oppose the death penalty, the draft, people who feel that individual liberty should not be sacrificed in the cause of fighting terrorism, people who believe in accountability for those in power, equality before the law, transparency of the justice system, people who want laws safeguarding the rights of workers and limiting the actions of big business, people who want evolution theory taught in schools, people who want freedom of religious worship for all faiths, people who vote for the Democratic Party, read the NYT, watch CNN, people who ask probing questions on Yahoo!Answers about the actions of GWB and his supporters... etc... etc

Answer 5

person who is liberal: as a : one who is open-minded or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways b capitalized : a member or supporter of a liberal political party c : an advocate or adherent of liberalism especially in individual rights

Answer 6

Bust out the dictionary.

Took me a minute. The Oxford English is huge but also, well, definitive. Here's one: "free from narrow prejudice; open-minded, candid".

Answer 7

1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
6. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.

Answer 8

Open-minded.

Answer 9

the actual meanings which you say don't sound bad, are the actual meanings. They aren't bad.

They have become derogatory because of conservative talk radio and people like Karl Rove.

Answer 10

Anyone who thinks a 'liberal' is the same as a 'socialist' doesn't deserve to have the vote.