Why is the word *Liberal* currently a dirty word to so many?

Question

I'm very liberal and proud of it, my reactions to the current misunderstanding by so many of the word range from cracking up laughing to sheer frustration. =)

Liberal comes from the Latin liberalis, meaning suitable for a free man/person, doubt anyone could object so far. It is an adjective basically meaning generous, open, unfettered by authoritanism, orthodoxy and tradition. Synonyms include charitable, philanthropic, benevolent, advanced. progressive, open-minded and tolerant. Liberty is the noun basically meaning, independence, emancipation, liberation and autonomy, synonyms include freedom and license.

People vary in the degree to which they are liberal, those with small c conservative/right of centre political beliefs are often pretty liberal but it is true that the further right political belief becomes the more illiberal the person is too. A liberal person can be radical but never reactionary and frightened of change for the common good.

Liberalism dominates centre/left of centre/left politics, but extreme left political beliefs are authoritarian only, very similar to extreme right beliefs in fact.

Liberals are egalitarians who believe in equality, justice, respect for all and that political power should never become a tool to benefit politicians/corporations/an elite at the expense of the majority. Far from inhibiting progress, we ARE the progressives, we want to ensure opportunities are open to all. Liberal thinking is what has led to progress in so many areas of human existence, human rights, freedom of thought and religion, empowerment of ordinary people, better living conditions, science, education, judicial systems, democracy...... I really could go on. So many of the benefits available to us in Western society wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Liberals seeking change from the oppressive systems which were so dominant in the last millenium.

So why is the word *Liberal* currently a dirty word to so many?

I'm going out for a few hours now, look forward to reading any replies on my return. =)

Answer 1

Lots has been said - - - actually I am shocked when people actually defend 'Liberals,' the term is used with more hated then Commie was during the 1950's. When the Republicans amped up their rhetoric during the 2004 Election I was remindd of Hitler's demand that Germany host Only One Political Party.

My 'favorite' is that Republican Commercial ran with little variation since the First Coming of Reagan. the one where the snide narrator deplores 'Liberals' for all the evil they have done. By that logic then America is a mistake since it was formed as part of a LIberal uprising. And after America was born Liberals led the fight against slavery and for civil liberties for minorities and women. When Republicans trumpet their accomplishments they trot out images of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt neither one was a 'Conservative,' both were Liberals an d were never accepted by the mainstream of the Republican Party..

Peace-----------------

PS - -- -Conservatives believe that if the Courts sanctified their seizure of the Presidency in 2000 that gives them a Mandate to Hate the oppossition and to hound it into nonexistence.

Answer 2

Simply put-For the same reason that "Conservative" is a dirty word and "religious" is. The extremist on the right and the left both want to paint the other side as demons. I, and I think most people, am actually in the middle or more accurately-liberal on some issues and conservative on others. The problem is not that the average "conservative" or "liberal" thinks the othe is terrible but the extremes on both ends want that to be the way things are portrayed. Much of the problem is really indicated in the last sentence of your question-Define the difference between reactionary and radical-it is not actions since they both want to make the rest conform to their ideals; and the common good depends on who is defining it-the common good as I see it or the common good as you see it might be totally different..

Answer 3

That was then; this is now. It started as a good concept; and, just like conservatism, decayed and has become the bastion of: strong willed people who 'know' what is good for the weaklings, and believe that social, economic, legalistic machinations will bring about a better world.

As C.S. Lewis said: the worst kind of tyranny is the tyrant who is 'doing it for your own good' as she/he does not question their motives or actions AND sleeps well each nite. (paraphrase mine).

In politics, in a busted economy (a consumer one, at that) this is flat out dangerous !! Because all these 'good deeds' done "for the people" as they are too stupid to figure it out themselves - have to be paid for.

Don't get me wrong, I am not neglecting that dubya is 'printing money' by fiat as fast as he can; in order to prop up this bankrupt country, as well as his war - either extreme is dangerous.

In my world, we would have three parties. The ideal party would be a melding of the best qualities "for the people", "Pragmatic" and "purpose driven"; AND there would be no huge campaign funds, television and radio campaigning would be forbidden, the lobbyist system would be dismantled and the 'representatives' would truly represent.

A radical cannot be reactionary !!! That is just not so ! In fact, a radical is more apt to be reactionary !! Because she/he passionately believes in their position; and, when challenged, will react. Think fidel castro.

Answer 4

Many Americans answer questions on here, and in their corrupted version of the English language some words associated with politics, such as liberal and conservative, have different meanings than we are correctly used to here in the UK.

I am proud of my leftist leanings.

Answer 5

It is certainly not a dirty word except to those on the ultra right. This also applies to the word conservative when used by the ultra left.

One of America's problems is that people assume that since they have the right of free speech, they have the moral right to trash people anyway they want, with exaggerated unkind, unfair, and discourteous personal remarks.

We all belong to this one country and we owe courtesy to each other. That is why the members of congress, when addressing each other, refer ot the lady from ---, or the gentleman form--. It is because they have to continue to work with each other, even if they disagree. They also do not digress into personal attacks. It is against the rules of Congress, and poor political strategy.

Answer 6

It is touted as a dirty word by narrow minded fearful people who cannot actually pick genuine fault with a person who takes into consideration other peoples quality of life and not just their own. The people who are guilty of this puerile attempt at insult are selfish.

Answer 7

Just to the Conservative propaganda trolls which are diminishing rapidly across the Country. They don't have any other way of disputing the opposing party so they insist on throwing about insults and abuse. I kept it simple and to the point, you covered all of the rest with your statements that I totally agree with.

Answer 8

I guess they think of "Liberals" as touchy feely types who want to hug hoodies and stand up for those who they feel are contributing to the breakdown of out society.

I beleive in socialism - ie everyone works hard but for those who have fallen on genuine hard times there are benefits and means of support.

I don't necessarily agree with all "Liberals" as some just seem to want to excuse and even justify those who are making life not so good for the rests of us.

Answer 9

I don't think that Liberal is a dirty word.

It is the connotation of limp wristed Politicians that make up the Liberal Party that causes the problem.

liberal with a small (l) certainly became a dirty word, in as much as the do gooding yahoos had hi-jacked it.

Society is now reaping the benefits of namby pamby softly softly minorities (ping; I've had a blue sky bright idea types) incursions into our lives.

Answer 10

When you are dealing with people who think it would be better for society if people who did not have health insurance just died, what do you expect?

Yes, search around here, you will find that way of thinking. So they will try to redefine the meaning of the word Liberal.