What does it mean to be liberal?

Question

HI on my facebook i have it posted that im very liberal and a friend of mine told me i wasnt in the past and that it was a shame if i am today, im not even sure what it means, i thought it meant to be very "free" in the way you think of the government, but im not sure, can someone explain what it means to me,
many thx.

Answer 1

Basically, a liberal wants the government to take care of everything--if anyone has a problem, they should look to the government, and the government should pay up.
A conservative feels that people should take care of problems themselves, either through donations or volunteering their time, giving blood, whatever.
Most people are a combination of the two.

Answer 2

i'm liberal to
being liberal in my opinion is to be open minded to different things like religions and what not

if you are liberal you tend to agree with democrats than conservative republicans
usually called "tree huggers" and stuff like that because most liberals are environmentally aware.
and the was you side in major issues tends to set off if you are liberal or conservative.liberals usually are for gay marriage and equal rights.

heres the definition:
liberal, progressive
a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties

hope it helps

Answer 3

Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. A liberal society is characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy, free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected.

Answer 4

literal definition :
Main Entry: 1lib·er·al
Pronunciation: 'li-b(&-)r&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English lEodan to grow, Greek eleutheros free
1 a : of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts b archaic : of or befitting a man of free birth
2 a : marked by generosity : OPENHANDED b : given or provided in a generous and openhanded way c : AMPLE, FULL
3 obsolete : lacking moral restraint : LICENTIOUS
4 : not literal or strict : LOOSE
5 : BROAD-MINDED; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
6 a : of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives
- lib·er·al·ly /-b(&-)r&-lE/ adverb
- lib·er·al·ness noun
synonyms LIBERAL, GENEROUS, BOUNTIFUL, MUNIFICENT mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. LIBERAL suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given . GENEROUS stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift . BOUNTIFUL suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing . MUNIFICENT suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes .

when you put that in terms of politics, youre talking about people who support our well abused welfare system, hand outs for anyone irregardless if they contributed to our tax system, and yes, exactly as that other fellow put, generally speaking a group of people who cannot do for themselves and therefore rely on a governing body to take care of them.

Answer 5

It means thinking for myself instead of having my values and thought processes dictated to me by someone else.

It means I'm free to make up my own mind.
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Answer 6

to be liberal ca mean use plenty, or it means you believe in freedom.

Answer 7

why should i tell you?